Evolution of the Western Saddle

Collector’s Corner

Evolution of the Western Saddle

By Jim Olson

Humans domesticated the horse thousands of years ago. Man began looking for an improved way to ride them almost from the start. The earliest known saddle-like apparatus was more of a riding pad and is said to have been used by the Assyrian cavalry, dating back to around 700 BC. There is recorded history the Sarmatians used an early form of a saddle in the 5th century BC and there are depictions of Alexander the Great in a saddle during the 300’s BC. One of the earliest, solid tree type saddles, was used by the Romans around the first century BC. The Western type saddles we know and love today are known world-wide as being “American,” but actually trace their roots back to the Spanish and Colonial times.

The Spaniards picked up much of their equine knowledge from the Moors who were nomadic horseman and warriors. As the Spanish settled into what is now Mexico and blended with the Indigenous culture that was already there, a new breed of Mexican cowboy, or Vaquero, as they are called, emerged, and they were fine horseman. These were the guys who were taking care of livestock in the American Southwest and California when the Euro- Americans moved into the area.

From the days of the thirteen colonies through the Civil War era, most

Americans rode a pretty flat type of saddle without a saddle horn, similar to an English style saddle. Along the way however, the Mexican saddle had a growing influence on how the Americans rode. This is evident starting from the early 1800s. By 1859, Captain George B. McClellan invented a saddle for military use and it was a blend of the English and Mexican saddles. It was light weight, had a deep seat, but no saddle horn (like the Mexican saddles did). The military used this basic saddle right up until the U.S. Cavalry was disbanded before WWII. Many civilians also used McClellan saddles. It was after the Civil War, in the late 1860s, that the men who would eventually be known as “cowboys,” started driving great herds of wild cattle north out of Texas. They were entrepreneurs trying to satisfy a hungry Eastern population. It is out of this class of men and these events that what we now know as the “Western” saddle was developed. It was an adaptation of the Mexican vaquero’s saddle.

What is now known as the “American” Western Saddle, has undergone a few style changes and improvements along the way. One of the earliest western saddle types was known as the “Mother Hubbard,” which was basically an improved version of the Mexican saddles found at that time in Texas. Meanwhile, out in California, Vaqueros were also improving and modifying their saddles. These guys were a little more “flashy” and covered their saddles with leather stamping and silver accents. As western expansion continued, certain regions developed their own styles. Each thought to be better suited to cowboys in their areas. There were Montana, Cheyenne, Oregon, Colorado, and as mentioned, Texas and California styles (to name a few). Nowadays, many of those styles have blended, others have just gone by the wayside.

As important as riding and roping was to the American cowboy of the late 1800 and early 1900s, there were bound to be innovations to their gear. This was an exciting time for innovation in American history. It seems like many were trying to build a better “mouse trap.” Saddles were no different. There were numerous variations such as the Sam Stagg rigging, other types of single rigging, double rigging, centerfire rigging, wood saddle horns, metal horns, large square skirts, short rounded skirts, wood stirrups, metal stirrups, on and on. Many of these early saddles had a “loop” seat (the stirrup leathers were exposed as they passed over the tree) and a high cantle. Big swells soon followed. These saddles were designed to keep a cowboy in them. It was their work station aboard, what was often, very feral horses. A saddle to the cowboy of that time was the single most important thing he owned.

As time went on and rodeo burst onto the scene as a way for cowboys to showcase their talent, saddles starting adapting again. By the 1920s, you start to see the cantles and swells drop so ropers can get out of their saddles easier. The horns disappeared on saddles specially designed for riding rough stock. There were even special “trick” saddles built for the performers of those events. Today, there are special saddles for roping, barrel racing, cutting, bronc riding, and just about every equine discipline you can think of.

As time went by, collectors began searching out the old, getting harder to find, type of saddles. There was a time when collecting saddles was all the rage and many folk had a “Western” room in their homes with an antique saddle or two as centerpieces. That fad has waned a bit and old saddles now fall into a couple of different categories. There are “decorators” which are basically old saddles without much collectibility in todays market. They are usually in pretty poor shape and often have a lot of repairs or replacement parts. You see them hanging up in bars, restaurants, out in peoples yards, in tourist traps and the like. These saddles, even though they may be old, have very little monetary value today.

Then there are old saddles that are “somewhat” collectible, but not top tier items. They are “entry level” collector stuff and generally sell because they are “almost” the good stuff. They have an attraction because of a lower price point. They are often unmarked, plain, or not in the best of condition.

The saddles most experienced collectors search out are the best of the best. Truly old, or rare pieces in good to great shape. Usually they are made by known makers and have good eye appeal or maybe some history with them. This is where the money is. My best advice is to try and stick with this class of collectible (saddles or otherwise) if you can. These are the types of items that tend to hold or gain in value over time (no matter what the current market conditions may be).

Great saddles are still being made today. There is no shortage of them. However, the old saddles which trace the roots of the evolution of the Western Saddle are always getting harder to find, especially in great condition and with some history. Who knowns, maybe you will come across one!