Western Saddles ( Western Saddle
)
The western saddle can actually be traced
back to the Moorish horsemen and warriors of
the Dark Ages. When the Moors invaded Spain
in the 700's, their western saddles were designed
for battle, with high cantles and forks
protection and security, and longer stirrups
to accommodate riding with armor. The
Spaniards adapted this western saddle into
what became known as the Spanish War Saddle.
The Spaniards brought western saddles with them to
the New World. Their goals went from
military conquest to colonial expansion this
saddle evolved into a stock saddle, designed
as a tool for the working cowboy. As the
western stock saddle spread into North
America, two major branches developed - the Texicans and the Californios. The Texican
was big, plain, heavy square-skirted,
double-rigged saddle and was suited for the
heavy brush. This saddle was favored East of
the Rocky Mountains and into Canada where
hard and fast roping was demanded.. The
Californio was lighter, round-skirted, and
center fire rigged for the dally style of
roping they used and were mainly used on the
Pacific Coast, Great Basin and the
Northwest. The milder climate and terrain
provided more free time for the vaqueros.
They created highly decorative saddles and
established the tradition of saddle
decoration. From the 1700's through the
1950's, the western stock saddle continued
to evolve, with new features to support
cattle work and improved construction
methods to extend strength, durability, and
comfort.
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