A well-designed reining saddle can make a difference in events like western pleasure competition, gymkhana and steer cutting. Calf roping, steer roping and team roping require a saddle that's strong and reliable. Claims that a particular ranch saddle is the best will vary from one rider to the next. Overall, the determining factors with a reining saddle are the style and comfort. Rating a roping saddle is based largely on durability and performance features.
Selection
Selecting a saddle is similar to selecting a pair of shoes. There are as many styles and shapes as there are feet, or in this case, horses. Saddles are manufactured in a range of styles and sizes, and each have critical dimensions that must be correct in order for the rider and horse to be comfortable.
The bar angle refers to the angle that the sides of the saddle protrude downward and away from the seat. Obviously, this angle would not be the same for a slender horse or one with a larger girth. The next dimensions are the gullet width and height, which determine how the saddle fits at the horse's withers. The final dimension is the length of the bar, which is the overall length of the surface that resides on the horse's back. Whether you're reining or roping, it's important to select a saddle that fits you and the horse.
Reining Saddles
The first consideration for a cutting saddle is the seat. The height of the seat should not be more than a couple inches off the horse's back. Any more than this and you'll tend to lift during sudden stops when cutting steers. The height can be more for reining work because the majority of activity is done with the horse moving forward.
With reining and cutting saddles, the pocket of the seat should be just back from the center of the saddle to provide good balance. The height of the horn is lower for western pleasure to avoid obstruction in the area where the hands are working. The horn on a cutting saddle should be higher and tilted slightly forward to afford the rider extended arm leverage.
Tex Tan is an established saddle maker that produces reining saddles for pleasure and competition. The Ashcraft Cutter would be a strong consideration for steer cutting work.
Roping Saddles
The most prominent feature on a roping saddle is the saddle horn. The better roping saddles have a long neck for taking dallies with the rope, and the height helps to keep the rope above the rider's leg when the horse is turned away from a roped steer.
The next feature to consider is the position of the cinch strap. With a reining saddle, this position is in line with the stirrups. With a roping saddle, the front cinch is directly in line with the saddle horn. In addition, roping saddles have a back cinch that keeps the saddle from tilting forward when tension is on the rope, as is the case with calf roping.
Good team roping saddles have a deep seat with a high cantle that allows the team roper to lean back for leverage. Calf roping seats are shallow and have a low cantle that allows the roper to swing a leg over and dismount quickly.
The Dakota Custom Roper Saddle has the performance features that are suited for steer and team roping. The Tex Tan Barbed Wire Roper has the design style that's preferred for calf roping.
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