When searching through saddles for sale, it is a good idea to know the parts that make up a horse saddle so that you can have a checklist for which parts you need to evaluate before making your purchase. Though they have some differences, western saddles and English saddles have many things in common.
Major Saddle Components
You'd probably be better off knowing the names for some horse saddle parts when you're shopping around. This knowledge of saddles can help your quality checking process. You don't need to be an expert, but a basic understanding about saddles for sale will lend to a more intelligent purchase.
The "tree" is the trunk of the saddle, the foundation upon which everything else is built.
The "pommel" is the raised front part of a saddle that helps to keep the rider from sliding forward. On a western saddle, this is where the horn is attached.
The "skirt" covers the area where the stirrups attach to the saddle. This keeps these parts from catching on the rider.
The "seat" is where the rider sits. You may have already guessed this. But I'm mentioning it in case you were afraid to ask.
The "cantle" is like the pommel of the saddle, except it is in the rear and is usually less padded.
The "stirrups" are usually metal hoops where the rider rest his or her feet.
The "billets" are straps on the saddle which connect to the girth that is used to essentially tie the saddle to the horse's back.
These components are found on English Saddles:
The "saddle flaps" protect the horse and rider from friction between the rider's leg and the horse's side.
These components are found on western saddles:
The "fenders" are like saddle flaps but they are usually a lot skinnier than those on English saddles.
There are many other parts of saddles when you go into further detail. And the other parts can be equally important in determining which of the many saddles for sale is right for you. But these terms should give you a basic understanding of the general layout of a saddle. - 32395
Major Saddle Components
You'd probably be better off knowing the names for some horse saddle parts when you're shopping around. This knowledge of saddles can help your quality checking process. You don't need to be an expert, but a basic understanding about saddles for sale will lend to a more intelligent purchase.
The "tree" is the trunk of the saddle, the foundation upon which everything else is built.
The "pommel" is the raised front part of a saddle that helps to keep the rider from sliding forward. On a western saddle, this is where the horn is attached.
The "skirt" covers the area where the stirrups attach to the saddle. This keeps these parts from catching on the rider.
The "seat" is where the rider sits. You may have already guessed this. But I'm mentioning it in case you were afraid to ask.
The "cantle" is like the pommel of the saddle, except it is in the rear and is usually less padded.
The "stirrups" are usually metal hoops where the rider rest his or her feet.
The "billets" are straps on the saddle which connect to the girth that is used to essentially tie the saddle to the horse's back.
These components are found on English Saddles:
The "saddle flaps" protect the horse and rider from friction between the rider's leg and the horse's side.
These components are found on western saddles:
The "fenders" are like saddle flaps but they are usually a lot skinnier than those on English saddles.
There are many other parts of saddles when you go into further detail. And the other parts can be equally important in determining which of the many saddles for sale is right for you. But these terms should give you a basic understanding of the general layout of a saddle. - 32395
About the Author:
About the Author, Anne Katherine knows a lot regarding saddles for sale. See other blogs by her elsewhere on the internet if you like what you see here.
