Saddle Parts
All the parts of the western saddle and their different variations can be confusing. Here we dig in and make sense of it all.

All the parts of the western saddle and their different variations can be confusing. Here we dig in and make sense of it all.
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. (…)
The sheepskin lining on the underside of the saddle skirts has a dual purpose. (…)
The stirrup leathers are long straps that attach the stirrups to the saddle tree. (…)
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. (…)
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. (…)
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. (…)
Have you ever seen a strap on the front of a western saddle that attaches around the fork and wondered what it was? (…)
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. (…)
Most manufacturers and saddle makers will place their mark on their saddles. (…)
This question comes up a lot. Just how tight should a flank cinch be? Tighter than many people think. (…)
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. (…)
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. (…)
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. (…)
A mochilla is a leather saddle tree covering with slits to allow the fork and the cantle to protrude. (…)
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. (…)
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. (…)
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. (…)
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. (…)
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. (…)
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? (…)