Equestrian Saddles-english Or Western

Everywhere that man has tamed horses has developed a saddle to ride them. In the northern hemisphere there are two pre-dominant types of equestrian saddle, English and Western.

Consider the uses for which the saddles were made and it is no surprise that the two saddles are remarkably different. In a small country such as England there are no rolling plains and the countryside is divided up into quite small fields with hedges and fences, horse riding was mainly for hunting and sport.

The western saddle however evolved as a working tool for cowboys who would spend their working lives atop a horse and who had to round up cattle, cut animals from the herd and generally do their labours on horseback.

The English saddle therefore had to provide a secure seat for jumping hedges and inspire confidence in the rider to gallop fast after the prey, such as foxes or stags.

The English saddle therefore had to be light, strong and supportive. There was no real bond with it apart from a means to ride the horse.The Western saddle on the other hand was in a way just like the modern car, and a sense of individuality was conferred upon it.

The show saddle is a prime example which varies from some simple pierce work to full blown silver conchos, flying straps and myriad other ornamentation. The western saddle can be a real work of art

Differences can easily be spotted between the two, the western saddle most obviously features a stout horn on the front over the forks, the equivalent pommel on an English saddle is much, much smaller and hardly evident.

Of course the horn evolved for a reason, to provide a steadying grip for cutting or reining when speed and fast turning is required or for tying off or 'dallying' a steer which has been lassoed.

The stirrups which are quite thin and strappy on an English saddle become wider and thicker on the western. The arrangement is also different as the English stirrup can detach in the event the rider falls off his horse whereas the western stirrup does not.

This is thought to be because of the type of footwear worn by cowboys with a raised heel which would not slip through the stirrup thus trapping his leg.

The skirts, fenders and cinches also vary considerably between the two saddles and it only takes a quick glance to spot the differences. The rigging, or way the saddle is fitted to the horse also has a few subtle variations.

Pick the equestrian saddle for you. For a long comfortable day on your horse a western saddle will probably suit you but if you want to be chasing across the fields jumping fences and streams then the English saddle is the one for you.