Merits of an English saddle

[Marshmallow]

Now my niece's friend is getting an English saddle for Christmas. What does this mean she'll be able to do that is so special? Is this a popular or more prestigious type of saddle?

[Grandpa]

An English saddle is a very stripped down model compared to a western saddle. It has a very low pommel without a horn for starters. The horn is not to hold on to when the horse runs but to dally (tie) your rope to when roping calves, cows, bears or tornados. Western cowboys added latigo strings to their saddles for tying on bedrolls, saddlebags, and their riata.

In my world, the only advantage of an english saddle would have been easier to get it on the horse. When I was 7-8 years old I had to lead the horse in front of the loading chute so I could use the chute as a step to get the saddle on. ( I didn't have a stable groom to give me a leg up when I was a kid)

[dinosaur]

I've seen them before and always figured it was too bad they couldn't afford the rest of the saddle.

[ppine]

I have only ridden an English saddle a few times, mostly in foreign countries. It puts you closer to the horse's back which is good and requires a good seat. They are not suited to rough ground or working livestock, so I would never own one, but for the arena they teach some good habits.

The Aussie's have some very unusal rigs. Their horse equipment comes from the British, but they have adapted English saddles to work livestock and for rough conditions. They have English saddles with wings for purchase on the pommel (front of the saddle). They have built up cantles (rear of the saddle) for the same reason. Some even have horns on them, but few Aussie's work with a rope. They like to drive cattle with whips. When movies like "Man from Snowy River" were popular I rode with some American cowboys that became quite proficient with whips for driving cattle especially in really lumpy country. I use the tail end of a lass rope for hitting cows in the butt when the going gets steep, which is the traditional way to do it. Most of our cattle handling skills in America come from Mexico by way of Spain. Vaqueros were and are the greatest cattlemen with a rope in history.

[Hikenhunter]

I gotta admit it fellas, I got no idea what this conversation is all about. I am, however, very impressed with the knowledge that you all seem to have on the subject.

[WillaMarie]

It's been a long time since I road a horse but there were times when they had this type of saddle. I understand the difference and reasons for them but I have to say that I feel much more comfortable with that horn to hold on to when I feel the need.

[ppine]

The horn on a western saddle is not designed as a hand hold. "Grabbing the biscuit" is a sure way to tell people that haven't ridden much. On the other hand when a horse starts pitching on a cold morning, grab anything you can including the horn, lass rope or night latch.

A western saddle is designed for rough ground and for roping, so there is a lot of "purchase" or places for your body to push against to keep a good seat. I rode an old loop-seat slick fork for years that was made around 1900. It had a 5 1/2 in cantle and narrow front end for freely moving the legs when the going gets steep. It is steep when going uphill you have one arm aound your equine's neck. Steep downhill your feet in the stirrups are on the equine's neck and one hand is on the cantle. I used to tie a slicker on the forks of the old saddle for snuffy horses or rides thur steep country.