Saddle Parts

May 28, 2009

• Cinch Connecting Strap

  The cinch connecting strap (also called a cinch hobble) connects the front cinch and flank cinch together. This is a small, but important, piece of equipment on double rigged saddles. (…)

April 30, 2009

• Sheepskin 101

  The sheepskin lining on the underside of  the saddle skirts has a dual purpose. (…)

April 16, 2009

• Stirrup Leathers: Full or Half?

  The stirrup leathers are long straps that attach the stirrups to the saddle tree. (…)

February 19, 2009

• Breast Collar or Crupper?

  This is one of those questions that has popped up in our mail several times, so we thought we'd address it here in our blog. (…)

November 21, 2008

• Rigging or Rig?

  You may have heard folks use these two terms and wondered what the difference was, or maybe if there was any difference at all. Here's the straight scoop. (…)

November 8, 2008

• The Three Most Important Saddle Parts

  Can you name the three most important parts of the western saddle? If each of these three parts are correctly designed then you'll have a solid saddle. (…)

October 24, 2008

• Nightlatch: You Should Have One On Your Saddle

  Have you ever seen a strap on the front of a western saddle that attaches around the fork and wondered what it was? (…)

August 3, 2008

• Saddle Tree: Rocker, Twist & Flare

  Veterinarian, Joyce Harman's newest saddle fit book, The Western Horse's Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book, is chock full of great information on western saddle fit and western saddles. (…)

May 2, 2008

• Western Saddle Marks

  Most manufacturers and saddle makers will place their mark on their saddles. (…)

November 12, 2007

• Flank Cinch: How Tight?

  This question comes up a lot. Just how tight should a flank cinch be? Tighter than many people think. (…)

September 30, 2007

• What's a Roper Cinch?

  Ever wondered what a roper cinch was and what it was for? Let's clear things up. 

  A roper cinch is wider in the center than at the ends. (…)

August 28, 2007

• Saddle Tooling Coverage

  A carving and stamping design can cover any portion of a saddle. When ordering a saddle from a custom saddle maker you'll be able to choose the tooling coverage you want. (…)

August 17, 2007

• Clean Your Cinch!

  Cinches are one saddle part that should be inspected and cleaned regularly. Dirt, hair, and sweat all build up on a cinch and can cause cinch galls on your horse. (…)

August 12, 2007

• Ever Heard of a Mochilla Saddle?

  A mochilla is a leather saddle tree covering with slits to allow the fork and the cantle to protrude. (…)

June 13, 2007

• The Misunderstood Flank Cinch

  The flank cinch (aka back or rear cinch) is a saddle part that many folks pay little attention to and often couldn't tell you why they use. (…)

June 9, 2007

• Avoiding Girth Galls

  Girth galls are ugly, painful sores caused by the cinch (girth) being placed in the wrong position or by a worn, damaged, or twisted cinch.  Galls are a man-made problem and an injury that is definitely avoidable. (…)

June 6, 2007

• Check Your Tack

  There's more to saddle care then just keeping it clean and tidy. You need to regularly check your saddle thoroughly for worn and damaged parts. (…)

April 15, 2007

• Cinches: Definitely Not One Size Fits All

  One of my pet peeves in western riding is seeing people riding with the wrong size cinch for their horse. Whether it's too big, or too small, it's bad news. (…)

March 2, 2007

• Winter Riding: Stirrups and Boots

  We've finally gotten some snow here in very dry southwest Montana, so I enjoyed a great ride yesterday. There's nothing like taking your horse for a ride in nice, new powdery snow. (…)

February 19, 2007

• Ever Wondered What a Monel Stirrup Is?

  If you've shopped for saddles, you've probably heard of Monel stirrups. Have you ever wondered what the heck a Monel is? Is it a brand name? (…)