We almost never ride western, preferring polo, foxhunting or show jumping saddles for various disciplines and for cross country terrain. However, there are times when a western saddle is more suitable or secure for training young horses. And certainly, if you going to rope, rein, cut or do ranch work, you can’t do that in an English saddle. But let’s face it, Western saddles are not very comfortable (or at least the cheap Circle Y knockoff that we started riding Western in wasn’t) but with the help of our friends, we discovered that not all western saddles are alike, in fact there are more options than you can shake a stick at, which makes western saddles confusing to many if not all English riders or other newcomers to the Western seat. Here are the differences.
This is the story of our search for the perfect western saddles for our purposes, which are probably radically different than most Western riders, but we are mostly looking for a saddle that rides English but looks Western. First, you have to decide what type of saddle, as described by saddleupcolorado.net the abbreviated list is as follows:
1. All Around Saddles
All-around saddles live up to their name. They are one of the most versatile saddles out there and can be used in just about every discipline. They are designed for anything! You can use an all-around saddle for ranching, roping, barrel racing, trail riding, and more. These saddles have a strong and stout horn so you are able to rope out of them or even drag cows with it. It is also equipped with a sturdy tree, which allows it to handle the pressure of roping. It has a close contact skirt, which promotes/helps leg cues. They also tend to have a flat seat, but with a nice pocket to grip you in during speed events. It typically has a reinforced rigging to hold up while roping or dragging. The horn is taller to allow a nice hand hold, however it is a bit thicker because of the roping factor. This a popular choice for people doing multiple things on their horse.
2. Barrel Saddles
Barrel saddles are used for the event of Barrel Racing. They have a deep seat to grip the rider in during those sharp, fast turns. They also have a tall horn for a good grip and a taller pommel to secure the rider. A barrel saddle also has a higher cantle to allow more security while going around a turn. Barrel saddles are made to be lighter and more compact so that it doesn’t add a whole bunch of weight onto the horse. The less weight, the faster you can go is the idea. With that being said, the skirts are generally much shorter and most of the time they are rounded. They also typically have an in skirt rigging. The main job of a barrel saddle is to be light weight and keep the rider snug in the saddle. You can also trail ride out of barrel saddles, but you can not rope out of them. The horn is not sturdy enough and will break if you tried roping or dragging out of it.
3. Cutting Saddles
The purpose of a cutting saddle is to keep the rider balanced all while staying out of the horse’s way. These saddles allow for a lot of movement so that the rider can really let the horse do its job. They have a low cantle, high pommel, and a thin, tall horn. There is a slight rise in the seat, closer to the pommel, but overall it is a flat seat. Cutting saddles typically have longer, square skirts. Sometimes they even have a double skirt. The tall, thin horn aids in balancing the rider and gives a good hand grip. The flat seat allows the rider full mobility and the low cantle’s purpose is so the seat isn’t digging into the rider’s back. You can use a cutting saddle for team penning, sorting, and cutting competitions. You can not rope out of a cutting saddle.
5. Ranch Saddles
Ranch saddles are typically big, heavy, and feature lots of leather. They have sturdy horns and trees for rigorous, everyday ranch work. They have a high cantle for comfort and security. The horn is stout for roping or dragging. Ranch saddles are very functional and serve their purpose well. Most of the ranch saddles have a hard slick or rough out seat. Depending on the saddle, they can also have saddle strings attached to allow the rider to carry equipment or essentials with them during a work day. They can also be in a wade style. A wade saddle has a short, thick horn and no swells. It is a very popular choice among cowboys and ranchers.
6. Reining Saddles
Reining saddles work in easing the rider’s movements for success in maneuvers. They have close contact skirts to enhance leg cues. Reining saddles also have a lower horn and pommel for easy rein movement. They also have a flatter seat for hip movement. Typically the skirts are longer on these saddles and they have show type silver on them to impress judges. They sit the rider in a pocket so that during maneuvers, you can get your legs in front of you and be able to sit deep in the saddle. You can not rope out of a reining saddle.
7. Roping Saddles
These saddles are designed to handle pressure. They are built on sturdy trees and typically have reinforced rigging to prevent any breaks/rips. Roping saddles have a nice pocket seat for good positioning, but a lower cantle to allow easy dismount. They also have a thicker horn to dally off of. These saddles typically have a longer skirt or a double skirt. They do tend to be on the heavy side. These saddles give riders the freedom to move while roping so that it does not interfere with any aspects of their run. These saddles are very durable and have deep stirrups to allow the rider to brace against them.
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Lady Wade by McCall out of Vernal Utah is the other option recommended by Rob for a close contact A-frame saddle.
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Bob Mars Saddles are legendary among cowboy elites and old timers alike.
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Others like Circle Y, but they don’t seem to fit us well
FALLIS BALANCED RIDE-16.5″-THE 300 LB MAN SADDLE
The main thing that these Fallis saddles do, that most will not, is they have a great amount of stirrup movement. They also have a unique cinching design on the off side. They are well built and more comfortable for most riders and horses than many other lessor saddles out there. A close contact ridding design which eliminates all the bulk under your knees, unlike most other saddles. We find them to be very comfortable and they are made in Nampa, Idaho now, as they used to be made in Elisabeth, Colorado.
Reprinted from https://tackstore.org/history-monte-foreman-balance-ride-saddles/
Monte Foreman
The Balance Ride Design came about in 1954 The design was started in the John Fallis Saddle Shop (with Monte Foreman) but several saddle makers and saddle companies produced them under the Monte Foreman Balance Ride Design for several years, including Colorado Saddlery.
Colorado Saddlery Response:
Monte Foreman teamed up with Colorado Saddlery and Monte sold the saddle himself as a private Label.
The Balance Ride Design became very popular in the 70’s and 80’s.
Many People Still Use Them Today.
Features and How It Works:
Rigging Design: Balanced Saddle’s rigging design reduces the bulk under the riders legs, permitting more leg contact and promoting more control.
Seat Design: Seat design is nearly flat to place the rider into the groove and on the horse’s true center of gravity
Forward Hung Stirrups: Stirrups are designed to hang farther forward than conventional stirrups. This increases the riders stability and balance.
Saddle Fork: The fork is not so wide that the rider cannot grip the horse, nor so narrow the rider cannot stabilize their self comfortably.
How To Identify a Balance Ride:.
The main thing is these saddles have a swivel, two piece stirrup leather. When pulled tight this bracket prevents the leather from coming out of the tree and is what is used to adjust the stirrup length along with the leather coming from the swivel. Note the rear flank strap slots are angled. View here
The main thing that these saddles do that most will not is they have a great amount of stirrup movement.
You can touch the neck all the way back to the tail on a horse with your boot and never take it from the stirrup.
There is a lot of info on what users like or dis like about Balance Ride Design saddle. A simple search will tell all.
What I have Found Is Users today love them for trail riding.
The balance Ride design is still being produced by John M. Fallis Custom Saddlery for more info visit their website www.fallisbalancedsaddles.com
CONTACT US 208-590-1667
Buckle and snap replacement
REPAIR PARTS: Such as latigoes, and stirrup leathers can be ordered and usually sent out within a few days. Please call or email for prices and ordering.
REPAIRS: I repair all of my dad’s saddles (Fallis Saddlery, Inc.) Ctiy name stamps would be Grandy, CO, Longmont, CO and Elbert CO.
And of course all my own saddles. City name stamps would include, Elizabeth, CO, Wyarno, WY, Wilder, ID and presently Nampa, ID.
I can help with dating a saddle, looking up information, and/or a formal appraisal. My charge is $35
24″ REPLACEMANT STIRRUP lEATHERS
THE FALLIS BALANCED SEAT DESIGN:
Is nearly flat- to place the rider into the rider’s grove, the horse’s true center of gravity. The rider’s weight is placed just where the horse can handle it the best. reducing the fatigue level of both horse and rider. The rider enjoys more freedom of movement without being forced to sit back on the cantle or be forced over the horn. The bas cantle is 3 1/2 inches high, 4 inch is NC. other heights are available. Seat sizes, range from 13 1/2″ to 16″, over 16″ is available, at an extra charge. Please specify Seat size.
BULKLESS RIGGING: The Fallis balanced Saddle rigging reduces the bulk under the riders legs, permitting more leg contact and promoting more control. The rigging is reinforced with rawhide for extra strength and flexibility. Because versatility is the key to every saddle design, my rigging holds the saddle in one position for every need, roping, cutting, trail riding, pleasure and show.
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A TREE THAT FITS: The tree design has been
rigorously tested on every type of horse and rider, is shaped to fit the majority of horses-when used with proper padding.
Built normally for medium withered horses, it can be used on 85% of the horses ridden today. Lowering the tree for low woithered horses is not recomended. The medium tree will fit exactly the same because the bars have not been changed. The tree may appear to ride higher because the horse has no withers to fill up the gullet. If the fork is lowered, the saddle is usable on less than 30% of todays horses. If you have extremely high withered horses, however, please do specify.
All our trees are rawhide covered and have a tree company gurantee.
Breast Collar
FORWARD HUNG STIRRUPS: The Fallis Balanced Saddle is designed to hang farther forward than conventional stirrups, To increase the rider’s stability and balance. Stirrup flyback is minimized. There is less swing because stirrps placed in a forward position creat more friction.
The Fallis Balanced stirrup leathers can be placed in two alternate positions, Unless otherwise specified, the stirrups on your saddle will be hung in the most forward position-about four inches farther forward than conventional over-the-tree dtirrup leathers. The alternate placement is only twq inches farther forward then conventionaly located stirrups. Please specify rear hanging stirrups if you so prefer.
The stirrup leathers are equipped with quick change buckles. A “catch” to adjust fender length on the tree at 1″ entervales and one to adjust stirrup length, at 2″ intervales. Both are quick. Of course, either can be used separatly.These buckles permit you to adjust your Fallis Balanced Saddle approxamatly fourteen . An average nine-year old can ride on of my saddle quite easily.
Monkey Nose Tapaderos
Custom Ordered
Full Tame Rose
With Back Ground die
Fallis Latigo’s
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Martin 14.5″ High Plains All Around Saddle
The High Plains All Around was designed for team ropers and breakaway ropers who also compete in speed events. It is also popular with colt starters and riders who want a lightweight saddle with a secure seat pocket. It is ideal for competitors who ride multiple events.
- Comfortable and versatile, there is no limit to what this saddle can do
- Refined front swells and taller horn are designed to give just the right amount of security and support for tackling any western event, from working cowhorse to breakaway to goat tying
- Same structural soundness as Martin’s roping saddles, so it is strong enough for team roping, calf roping and working cattle
- Ideal for youth and aged events
- Larger horn cap helps keep the rope down on the saddle horn, but still easy to hold on when necessary to maintain body position
- Youth: 12 to 13 inches.
- Small adult: 14 inches.
- Average adult: 15 inches.
- Large adult: 16 inches.
- Extra-large adult: 17 inches.
