Superior Saddlery — Andy Mashke
Certified Used Saddles — David SolumAll 24 Parts
Every part of a western performance saddle exists for a reason. Some reasons are obvious — the horn is for dallying rope, the stirrups are for your feet. Others are less intuitive: why does a reining saddle's cantle angle differ from a cutting saddle's? Why do some saddles have two cinch rings and others have one? Why does gullet width matter more than any other measurement when fitting a saddle to a horse?
This guide covers all 24 major components of the western performance saddle — what each part is, what it does, how it differs across disciplines, and what to look for when evaluating the part's quality and condition in a new or used saddle. Read it once and you will have a working vocabulary for every saddle conversation you will ever have.
The Tree
The tree is the internal skeleton of the saddle — the rigid framework, traditionally made of wood and rawhide and now often incorporating fiberglass or laminated composites, that gives the saddle its shape, distributes the rider's weight across the horse's back, and provides the structural foundation to which every other component is attached. The tree is invisible beneath layers of leather, foam, and fleece — but it determines everything about how the saddle fits, feels, and performs.
A sound tree is absolutely non-negotiable. A cracked or broken tree cannot be economically repaired to competition-grade structural integrity. It makes the saddle dangerous to ride — a tree that flexes under load distributes weight unevenly and can cause acute pressure points that injure the horse's back acutely. When buying any used saddle, tree evaluation comes first, and the twist test — firm opposing torque applied to horn and cantle simultaneously — is the mandatory first step.
Discipline differences: Reining trees are balanced forward, tipping the rider's weight toward the horse's front end. Cutting trees are balanced more neutrally. Ranch trees are typically more upright, providing security during unpredictable working situations. The tree balance is not adjustable after manufacture — it is built into the tree and determines which discipline the saddle was designed for.
Andy Mashke of Superior Saddlery manufactures his own saddle trees using the SYMMETREES™ system — a proprietary process that produces trees to precise, documented, reproducible specifications. The result: a 25-year warranty against tree breakage that no conventionally sourced tree can match. When you see SYMMETREES™ on a Superior Saddlery saddle, the tree is the product.
Bars
The bars are the two longitudinal rails of the saddle tree that actually rest on the horse's back — one bar on each side of the spine, distributing the rider's weight across the muscled back tissue on either side of the vertebral column. The bars never touch the spine; they rest on the longissimus dorsi muscles that run parallel to it. This fundamental principle — that the saddle must clear the spine entirely while distributing weight through the muscles alongside it — governs every saddle fitting decision.
Bar dimensions determine saddle fit in four ways: width (how wide apart they are at the front, which must match the horse's wither conformation), angle (the degree of downward slope from center to side, which must match the slope of the horse's back), length (how far back the bars extend, which determines weight distribution surface area), and rock (the front-to-back curvature, which must follow the horse's topline profile).
Bar width categories — Semi-Quarter Horse, Quarter Horse, Full Quarter Horse, and Wide — are the most common saddle sizing descriptor, but they are not standardized across manufacturers. The only reliable bar width assessment is direct physical evaluation with the saddle on the horse. Two saddles labeled identically may fit very differently.
Gullet
The gullet is the channel running lengthwise under the saddle, between the bars, above the horse's spine. It must provide complete clearance of the horse's spinous processes (the bony projections from each vertebra) along its entire length — from front to back, under load. A gullet that contacts the spine causes acute, immediate pain and neurological interference. A horse with a saddle pressing on its spine cannot collect, cannot perform a sliding stop correctly, and will develop behavioral resistance that is often misattributed to training problems rather than equipment problems.
The gullet width measurement — taken at the front arch — is the single most commonly cited saddle fit specification. Standard widths run from approximately 6¼" (Semi-Quarter Horse) to 7"+ (Wide). At the wither, the front of the gullet arch should clear the top of the withers by at least two to three finger-widths with the saddle placed on the horse without a pad.
Looking through the gullet channel from the rear of the saddle is a standard visual check: you should see daylight through the full length of the channel. Any narrowing, twisting, or contact with the horse's topline is visible from this angle.
Seat
The seat is the leather-covered surface where the rider sits — seemingly simple, actually one of the most discipline-specific and carefully engineered components of the performance saddle. Seat design governs the rider's position relative to the horse's center of gravity, the level of passive security provided through different movement patterns, and the degree of hip freedom available for signal communication.
Reining seats are deep — the leather dips significantly from the front of the seat to the deepest point, creating a bowl that surrounds the rider's seat bones and provides security through the stop and spin without requiring active gripping. The depth is typically 3–5" from the front of the seat to the lowest point, depending on maker and model.
Cutting seats are flat — the surface is nearly level from front to back, allowing the rider to move freely in any direction in response to the horse's movements. The flat seat does not provide passive security; the rider must supply active balance. This is a design requirement, not a deficiency.
Ranch seats fall between these extremes — moderate depth that provides security for long days and working situations without the extreme dish of a full reining seat.
Seat size is measured from the base of the horn to the top of the cantle and typically ranges from 14" (children) to 17.5" (large adults). Most adult reining competitors use 15.5", 16", or 16.5". A correct seat size allows 4 fingers between your hip and the cantle and 4 fingers between your hip and the swell when seated normally.
Seat leather types: Standard seat leather is smooth cowhide. Elephant (roughout) seat leather has the grain side reversed, providing a textured surface with more grip. Bison seat leather is distinctively soft and pliable with a natural suede-like texture. Seat leather type is a preference item rather than a quality indicator.
Horn
The saddle horn — the iconic knob at the front of every western saddle — tells you immediately what discipline the saddle was designed for. Horn size, height, and construction directly reflect the functional requirements of the discipline:
Roping horns are large, wrapped in rubber or rawhide to prevent rope slippage, and built on heavy steel bolts capable of absorbing the shock of a dallied rope attached to a running steer. They must be functional structural components, not decoration.
Reining horns are small, low-profile, and often decorated with silver conchos and a silver horn cap. They serve no functional roping purpose in a discipline that never uses a rope. A large roping horn on a reining saddle would add unnecessary weight, alter the saddle's balance, and interfere with the rider's leg position during close work.
Cutting horns are similarly minimal — the rider in cutting competition cannot reach for the horn without dropping the rein, which is a judging fault. The horn on a cutting saddle is purely structural and decorative.
Ranch horns are functional — sized and constructed to allow occasional dallying for light roping work, but not the massive reinforced horn of a dedicated roping saddle. A ranch rider who needs to rope calves on occasion needs a functional horn; a dedicated roper needs a roping saddle.
Horn material and construction: Most western performance saddle horns are welded steel bolted through the fork of the tree. The horn cap (the flat top surface) may be leather-wrapped, rubber-wrapped, or finished with a silver horn cap in show configurations.
Cantle
The cantle is the raised back portion of the seat — the rear wall of the rider's seating area. Cantle height and angle are among the most discipline-defining design variables in western performance saddlery. A high cantle provides substantial security against being pitched backward during sudden acceleration or forward movement; a low cantle allows maximum hip freedom and rearward movement.
Reining cantles are moderate to substantial in height — typically 4"–5" — and angled slightly forward (toward the rider) to provide support through the stop. The cantle's forward lean cups the rider's seat and helps maintain the correct rearward weight distribution during collection and sliding stops.
Cutting cantles are low — often 3" or less — and may be nearly straight or have a minimal roll. The low cantle is not a cost-cutting measure; it is a functional requirement. A rider in cutting must be able to move their hip rearward as the horse makes hard lateral turns, and a high cantle would block this movement at exactly the moment it is required.
Ranch cantles are typically higher and more squared-off — providing maximum security for unpredictable working situations where a rider may encounter sudden direction changes on rough terrain.
Cantle decoration: On show saddles, the cantle edge is often finished with sterling silver cantle binding — a decorative strip of engraved sterling that runs along the top edge of the cantle. Cantle binding is one of the most visible silver elements on a full-silver show saddle and a significant value contributor.
Fork / Swells
The fork (also called the swells) is the front arch of the saddle that rises from the bars to support the horn. Fork shape — specifically the width and flare of the swell — has been one of the most debated design variables in western saddlery history. The swell fork versus slick fork debate ran through the 19th and 20th centuries as different regional traditions argued for the merits of each.
Swell fork (A-fork): The swells flare outward from the fork, creating a pronounced bulge that provides the rider's knee with an outward surface to press against during sudden movements. Popular in working-ranch and roping applications where the rider needs security against being pitched forward.
Slick fork: The fork tapers smoothly without pronounced outward flare, giving the saddle a cleaner profile and providing less knee contact surface but also less interference with leg movement. The California vaquero tradition favored the slick fork; it is common in cutting and reining saddles where clean leg contact and freedom of movement are prioritized.
In modern reining saddles, the fork is typically a modified slick fork — some taper for stability, but no pronounced swell that would interfere with leg position or add unnecessary weight. Knee blocks (covered separately) provide the knee security that the swell fork historically provided, but in a more adjustable, lower-profile form.
Skirts
The skirts are the large leather panels that extend outward from the tree on either side, covering the rigging and providing an additional layer of leather between the tree and the horse's back. Skirts serve multiple purposes: they protect the horse from metal rigging hardware, they distribute the tree's load over a slightly wider surface area, and they provide the decorative canvas for the tooling and silver work that defines a show saddle's visual character.
Skirt shape: Round skirts are the most traditional western profile — the skirt curves at the rear corners, softening the visual line and reducing the risk of the skirt corner digging into the horse during lateral movement. Square skirts are preferred by some reining riders for their cleaner visual line in the show pen. Straight skirts combine elements of both. Skirt shape is primarily aesthetic in normal riding conditions.
Skirt length: Longer skirts distribute weight over more surface area, which can benefit horses with longer backs. Short skirts (sometimes called "in-skirt rigging" designs) reduce weight and improve freedom of movement for horses with shorter backs or more active rear ends. Most competition reining saddles use moderate-length skirts appropriate to the discipline's movement requirements.
Skirt leather quality is a primary indicator of overall saddle quality. The skirts represent the largest surface area of leather on the saddle and receive the most visual scrutiny. Premium skirting leather from Hermann Oak or equivalent tanneries is tight-grained, consistent in thickness, and holds tooling cleanly. Budget skirting leather is visually apparent in the tooling quality — the pattern edges are less crisp, the leather surface has more visible texture variation, and the coloring is less consistent.
Seat Jockeys
The seat jockeys (sometimes just called jockeys) are the leather pieces that frame the sides of the seat — covering the rigging area and providing the lateral seat boundary visible when looking at the saddle from above. On a show saddle, the seat jockeys are often the most elaborately tooled visible leather, as they frame the seat area that judges and observers see most directly in competition.
Jockey leather quality and tooling are primary indicators of a saddle maker's craft level. Well-executed jockey tooling shows consistent pattern depth, clean edges, and even layout. Sloppy or inconsistent jockey tooling is a visible signal of either lower-grade leather or lower-grade craftsmanship — either of which affects the saddle's value.
Fenders / Rosaderos
Fenders (called rosaderos in the California vaquero tradition) are the wide leather panels that hang between the saddle's rigging and the stirrups, covering the stirrup leathers and protecting the rider's leg from the metal and leather of the rigging hardware. Without fenders, the rider's leg would contact the stirrup leather and rigging hardware directly — uncomfortable over a long ride and potentially damaging to clothing and skin.
Fender width determines how much of the rider's leg is in contact with the saddle during the ride. Wide fenders provide more leg contact and more stability; narrow fenders provide more freedom of movement and less heat retention. Competition reining fenders are typically substantial in width, providing the leg contact needed to feel the subtle movements communicated through a well-trained reining horse.
The fender crease — where the fender bends to follow the stirrup leather — is the highest-stress flex point on the entire saddle. It is the first place that compromised leather fails and the most important area to inspect when evaluating a used saddle's leather condition. Cracked leather at the fender crease is not a cosmetic issue; it is a structural failure that will progress and can eventually allow the fender to separate from the stirrup leather under load.
Fenders can be twisted to position the stirrups properly relative to the rider's natural foot angle. Most riders find that untwisted fenders position the stirrups perpendicular to the saddle's centerline — pointing directly to the side — which forces the rider's foot into an unnatural angle. A properly twisted fender positions the stirrup 30–45 degrees forward, matching the natural angle of the rider's ankle at rest. New saddles often need fender twisting; this is normal break-in procedure rather than a defect.
Stirrups
Stirrups are the foot supports suspended from the saddle tree via stirrup leathers and fenders. Stirrup design — material, width, and position — significantly affects rider security, foot angle, and the effectiveness of leg cues.
Wood stirrups are the traditional choice for western performance riding — typically made from hardwood (often Visalia or similar), covered in leather, and available in widths from 2" to 4". The weight and rigidity of wood stirrups helps them maintain their position rather than swinging freely, making them easier to recover if lost during a maneuver.
Oxbow stirrups have a narrow, rounded tread that contacts only a small area of the foot sole. They are historically associated with roping and buckaroo traditions where the rider needed to be able to kick free easily in a fall.
Bell stirrups (Visalia stirrups) have a bell-shaped tread that curves downward, allowing the foot to sit in a natural angled position. Common in reining and cow horse competition.
Don Orrell stirrups are a distinctive bent-wood construction that positions the tread at a natural angle without requiring the fender to be twisted. Favored by many NRHA competition riders for the consistent foot angle they provide.
Stirrup width is a safety consideration: the tread must be wide enough that the foot fits securely without risk of the foot passing through (which creates a runaway risk) but the shoe must not be so large that it cannot exit the stirrup in a fall. Most adult competition riders use 3" or 4" wide treads.
Rigging
The rigging is the hardware system that connects the cinch to the saddle — the mechanism that keeps the saddle on the horse. Rigging position (where along the tree the rigging attaches) and rigging type (what hardware connects the rigging to the cinch) are significant design variables with direct implications for saddle fit and horse comfort.
Rigging positions:
- Full (7/8) position: Rigging ring centered between the horn and the front of the skirt. Places the cinch directly under the horse's front cinch groove. Used in roping saddles and some ranch saddles where maximum cinch stability is needed.
- 3/4 position: Rigging ring positioned slightly behind full position. Common in cutting and reining saddles — the slight rearward shift moves the cinch away from the horse's elbow, reducing elbow interference with the cinch during movement.
- Center-fire position: Rigging centered along the entire saddle length, attaching at the saddle's midpoint. The traditional California vaquero position; uncommon in modern western performance saddles except in historically influenced designs.
- In-skirt rigging: The rigging hardware is built into the skirt rather than hanging outside it, reducing bulk and weight. Common in modern reining and cutting saddles.
Double vs. single rigging: Most western performance saddles use a front cinch only (single rigging) or front and rear cinch (double rigging). Double rigging with a functional back cinch is standard for roping saddles and common in ranch saddles. Most reining and cutting saddles are set up with front cinch only, with a back cinch ring present but often unused or used only with a back cinch connector strap to keep the back cinch from hanging low.
Latigo
The latigo is the long leather or nylon strap that threads through the cinch ring and ties or buckles to secure the cinch. It connects the rigging ring to the front cinch. Traditional leather latigos are threaded in a series of wraps and secured with a latigo knot or a latigo keeper; modern nylon latigos often use a quick-change buckle. Leather latigos stretch slightly with use, which some riders consider an advantage for adjustability; nylon latigos do not stretch and are easier to tighten quickly.
Latigo length and condition are evaluated during used saddle inspection — cracked or fraying latigo leather is a safety issue that requires replacement before the saddle is put into use.
Cinch Ring (D-Ring / O-Ring)
The cinch ring — which may be D-shaped, O-shaped, or another configuration — is the metal ring on the saddle through which the cinch runs. Front cinch rings attach to the rigging at the front of the saddle; rear cinch rings attach at the back. The cinch ring must be securely attached to the rigging, which must be securely attached to the tree. A cinch ring that shows movement relative to the tree indicates a structural problem that requires immediate professional evaluation.
Back Cinch / Flank Cinch
The back cinch (flank cinch) runs behind the horse's girth area, connecting to rear dee rings on the saddle to prevent the rear of the saddle from rising during roping or sudden stops. It must be adjusted to rest snugly against the horse's belly — not tight enough to cause discomfort, but not loose enough to allow a horse's hind leg to catch it (which creates a dangerous bucking situation). A connector strap between the front and back cinch prevents the back cinch from swinging back and causing problems if a horse kicks. Most performance reining and cutting saddles do not use the back cinch in regular training, even when it is present.
Billets
Billets are the leather straps on the off-side (right side) of the saddle that provide the attachment point for the right side of the cinch when using a short cinch and billet-style connection rather than a long latigo on both sides. In-skirt rigging saddles typically use a short, fixed billet rather than a full-length latigo, connected to the cinch with a buckle. Billet leather condition is a critical used-saddle inspection point — billets that are cracked, thin, or showing wear near the holes are a safety issue.
D-Rings
D-rings are the D-shaped metal rings used throughout the saddle for attaching accessories — breast collar, back cinch, rear dees for saddle bags, and tie-on equipment. Front dee rings are standard on virtually all western saddles; rear dees are common on ranch and trail saddles and less common on competition reiners where they add unnecessary weight and visual clutter. The quality and attachment of all D-rings should be assessed during used saddle evaluation — loose or corroded hardware is a maintenance issue that should be addressed before the saddle goes into regular use.
Conchos
Conchos are the decorative discs of silver (on show saddles) or silver-colored metal (on working saddles) that appear at saddle string attachment points, on the jockeys, along the skirts, and at various decorative positions throughout the saddle. On fine show saddles, conchos are sterling silver with hand-engraved designs. On working saddles, they may be German silver (a nickel alloy with no actual silver content) or chrome-plated hardware.
Sterling silver conchos add genuine monetary value to a saddle — in addition to their decorative function, they represent material value in a precious metal. German silver conchos have no precious metal value. The distinction is visible: sterling is brighter white, polishes differently, and has the hallmarks and casting quality of fine jewelry. German silver has a slightly yellower, grayer tone and does not respond to silver polish the same way.
When evaluating used saddles, count the conchos. Missing conchos — especially on the saddle strings or jockeys where they are highly visible — affect the saddle's appearance and value. Replacement conchos that do not match the originals in size, pattern, or metal quality are similarly visible and value-affecting.
Saddle Strings
Saddle strings are the narrow leather ties threaded through the skirts, traditionally used to secure equipment — bedrolls, slickers, canteen bags — to the saddle during working ranch use. On show saddles, saddle strings are primarily decorative, with small conchos at their attachment points and neat, matching length across the saddle. On working saddles, they are functional. Saddle string condition on a used saddle is not a structural concern — they can be replaced — but missing or severely damaged strings affect the saddle's presentation.
Knee Blocks / Knee Pads
Knee blocks (also called knee pads or knee rolls) are padded leather bolsters positioned on either side of the fork, at knee height, that provide a surface for the rider's knee to press against during sudden movements. They are primarily a reining and cow horse feature — disciplines where the rider needs lateral knee security during spins and violent directional changes.
Knee blocks are minimal or absent in cutting saddles, where the rider needs freedom of leg movement in all directions. In reining saddles, their size and position are design variables that reflect the maker's preference and the rider's feedback. Prominent knee blocks that push the knee forward tilt the rider backward; minimal knee blocks that do not extend far from the fork provide less security. The correct balance depends on the individual rider's leg geometry.
On some saddles, knee blocks are adjustable or removable — an advantage for riders who need to customize the fit or who are sharing a saddle between riders of different leg dimensions.
Swell Cover / Front Housing
The swell cover is the leather that wraps the front portion of the tree — the fork and swells — covering the structural components and providing the surface on which tooling and silver decoration are applied. On a show saddle, the swell cover carries some of the most visible decorative work: silver corner plates, tooled patterns, and the horn cap. Swell cover leather is typically heavier-weight than skirt leather, to withstand the stress of being the point where the rider may brace against the saddle during mounting or sudden movements.
Cantle Binding
Cantle binding is the decorative strip that runs along the top edge of the cantle — one of the most visible and value-significant silver elements on a full-silver show saddle. On premium show saddles, cantle binding is sterling silver, hand-engraved with floral or geometric patterns, and secured with small silver screws or rivets. The width, engraving quality, and installation quality of cantle binding are significant differentiators between premium and standard silver packages. Cantle binding in good condition is a strong value indicator; damaged, missing, or replaced cantle binding that does not match the original affects both the saddle's appearance and its resale value.
Breast Collar Rings
Breast collar rings are the attachment points at the front of the saddle (typically on the front dees or directly on the swell cover) where a breast collar attaches to prevent the saddle from sliding backward on a horse with low withers or during uphill work. Not all western performance saddles include breast collar rings — reining saddles on well-fitted trees rarely need breast collars — but they are standard on ranch and trail saddles and many working cow horse saddles used in mountainous terrain. The presence, position, and attachment quality of breast collar rings should be verified during used saddle evaluation.
Panels / Underside
The panels are the padded leather surfaces on the underside of the saddle that contact the horse's back — the actual interface between the tree's bars and the horse's body. Panel quality and condition are critical to saddle fit and horse comfort, but they are also the component most often overlooked by buyers who focus on the visible upper surfaces of the saddle.
Panel materials vary: traditional western saddles use wool fleece lining (natural or synthetic) for cushioning and sweat absorption. Some modern saddles use foam padding covered in leather, which provides more consistent, predictable cushioning but less moisture management than wool. High-end saddles from makers like Bob's Custom and Superior Saddlery use quality materials throughout, including the panels.
Panel inspection during used saddle evaluation: Look for uneven wear patterns, hardened or compressed areas (which indicate consistent pressure points), and any asymmetry in the panel thickness from left to right. Asymmetrical panel wear suggests the saddle was on an asymmetrical horse — one that consistently traveled with a dropped hip or developed uneven muscling from a soundness issue. This asymmetry may have caused the panels to conform to that specific horse's back and may make the saddle a poor fit for a symmetrical horse.
The underside of the saddle can tell you the history of its use more accurately than the visible upper surfaces. Always turn a used saddle over and examine the panels closely before purchase.