| Nomenclature
of Western Saddle |
 |
| Tree |
The Foundation
of a saddle is the tree. Saddle Trees are made of a choice
of different materials. The best being Bull-hide covered wood
tree, made from ponderosa pine with one or two layers of wet
Bull-hide / raw hide stretched over it. As the hide dries
it shinks forming a nice tight cover. This process makes for
a very resilinet, strong tree, which does carry an element
of give.
The Tree consist of Bars, Cantle, Horn, Gullet & Swell. |
| Bars |
This is the part
of the tree that rest along the sides of the horses spine. |
| Cantle |
This is the arched,
rear portion of the saddle tree. |
| Horn |
This part of the
saddle is in front, and come in varies sizes. The angle used
in attaching a horn to the tree also varies, depending on the
intended use of the saddle. |
| Gullet |
The design of the
Swell, as well as the angle of the bars determine the width
and height of the saddles gullet. This affects how well a saddle
tree will fit a horses withers, the saddle must clear the withers. |
| Swell
/ Fork |
The design gives
shape and definition to the front of the saddle. The more swell
to the fork, the more swell you feel. |
| Rigging |
Front Rigging Dee: |
A metal ring used
to fasten the latigo through, which is attached to the Cinch. |
| Rear
Rigging Dee: |
A metal ring used to fasten
the back flank billet through. |
| Hobble
Strap |
The Hobble Straps
are used to prevent the stirrup from turning over if you fall
from the horse, which could cause your foot to become tangled
in the stirrup. It is very important to use Hobble Straps. |
| Tie
Strap Holder |
The holder is used
to loop any excess length of the latigo when the horse is saddled. |
