The Country Life

Parts of western saddles, defined

Here are details of a western saddle, which is the cowboy saddle we usually see in westerns, at the rodeo, or on a farm or ranch

See typical roping saddles, including accessories and prices

Billet strap - for attaching an optional rear girth
Blevins - the adjustment for the stirrup
Cantle - the back of a saddle seat
Fender - the part of the saddle that descends from the seat to the stirrup under the rider's leg
Gullet - the opening in the tree that allows for the horse's withers
Hobble strap - a strap that keeps the stirrup from flopping up and down
Horn - a high pommel of a Western saddle, usually metal covered with leather
Pommel - the grip formed by the raised front part of a saddle
Rear girth - helps stabilize the back of the saddle
Stirrup - usually hung from each side of a saddle by an adjustable strap to create a footrest
Tree - the frame of the saddle
Western saddle - a saddle used by cowboys

Related terms:
Withers - the highest part of the back at the base of the neck of the horse
Dally - a style of roping in which the roper throws a half hitch of rope around the saddle horn after a catch is made

Other terms:
Calf roping is also called tie-down roping
Hooey - half-hitch in tie-down roping

For a complete look at a western saddle we recommend this link which opens in a new window. If the link is broken please report it to us