What’s an All Around Saddle?

We see folks misunderstanding this saddle type quite a bit. To many people, an All Around saddle sounds like just the ticket – it will work for whatever type of riding I do, they reason. Just like its name says … it’s an All Around, right?

Well, actually, that’s not the case. An All Around saddle got it’s name as a saddle suitable for both ranch work and competition events. A cowboy could buy one saddle to work in and compete in.

As a result, an All Around saddle is a substantial saddle; large, and relatively heavy. It usually (ideally) is made with a wooden tree that can stand up to the pressures of roping and pulling. It’s also designed to be a comfortable ride for long hours in the saddle.

All Around saddles are commonly (and accurately) lumped with ranch saddles. The difference is usually cosmetic and degree. An All Around saddle will tend to have a bit more flash than a ranch saddle as it is often taken into the competition arena where sparkle is expected. All Around saddles can also be a bit lighter weight than a true working ranch saddle. But both are designed to be able to rope and dally off of.

All Around saddles can be a great choice for everyday riding as long as you understand that this saddle is not a lightweight trail saddle. We’re big fans of the Ranch and All Around saddle for everyday riding. We figure, if you’re going to be spending long hours in the saddle, it makes sense to choose the saddle type that working cowboys ride.

Used Saddle Pick of the Week: 16″ Custom Grant Willis Ranch Saddle

The “Used Saddle Pick of the Week”

Every week we scour the Internet searching for a particularly juicy bargain on a high quality used western saddle and feature it here on the WSG Saddle Blog. The saddles featured are listed for sale on ebay as of the date of the post.

Checking out our Picks each week will give you some great insight into buying used saddles. Make sure to click through to the actual listing to see all of the photos and description from the seller.

The Western Saddle Guide is not the seller of the saddles featured and does not make any representations about them. We encourage all potential buyers to do their own due diligence on the seller and the saddle before purchasing.

---

LAST WEEK’S PICK:

Last week’s pick – a wonderful little  15″ Vintage Simco Show Saddle ended up being pulled by the seller. Disappointing because this was a little gem ready to be discovered. Not sure if the seller sold it off ebay or decided to keep it.

THIS WEEK’S PICK:

This week we’ve found another gem – a well-built custom saddle from Canadian saddle maker, Grant Willis. Willis is a talented craftsman out of Penticton, British Columbia.

This is a classic ranch working saddle with some miles on it, but many, many more left in it. The saddle has a 16″ seat and, is a half-breed style – meaning it has rough out seat, seat jockey, and fenders and tooling (basket weave) on the skirts, cantle and fork.

The seller doesn’t mention a bar type for the saddle tree or gullet width so you’ll want to inquire before bidding. But ranch saddles tend to have wider gullets to accommodate a variety of horses with some padding.

This is a really solid saddle that would make a great all-around ride. As of this writing, there’s only one bid at $599. I think someone may be hoping few folks have heard of Grant Willis.

We present the Saddle Blog’s Used Saddle of the Week:

16″ Custom Grant Willis Ranch Saddle

Check out other Ranch Saddles for sale in our tack shop.

Used Saddle Pick of the Week: 16″ Cactus Saddlery Ranch Saddle

The “Used Saddle Pick of the Week”

Every week we scour the Internet searching for a particularly juicy bargain on a high quality used western saddle and feature it here on the WSG Saddle Blog. The saddles featured are listed for sale on ebay as of the date of the post.

The Western Saddle Guide is not the seller of the saddles featured and does not make any representations about them. We encourage all potential buyers to do their own due diligence on the seller and the saddle before purchasing.

---

I described last week’s Pick, a very nice 16″ Crates Trail Saddle – as a bargain waiting for a buyer. And one lucky buyer got him or herself a very nice bargain for only $480.

This week we’ve found another great saddle bargain – a very handsome 16″ ranch saddle from Cactus Saddlery. Cactus Saddlery is a small, high quality brand that’s known mostly for their performance saddles.

This saddle is in as-knew condition and a real beauty.  With a 7 1/4″ gullet, it’s built for a broad shouldered horse. The saddle has barb wire and shell tooling and a handsome high back cantle.

As of this writing there are already 10 bids but the highest bid is only $202.50.  Someone is trying to steal this, baby.

We present the Saddle Blog’s Used Saddle of the Week:

16″ Cactus Saddlery Ranch Saddle

Check out other Cactus Saddlery Saddles for sale in our tack shop.