Parts of a Western Saddle

Every western saddle is built on a frame called the tree, and the horn, seat, cantle, skirts, fenders and rigging all attach to it. Here's a plain guide from Straight Arrow Saddlery in Panguitch, Utah.

These are general terms used across the western saddle trade. Makers sometimes use different names for the same part.

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The tree

The tree is the saddle's frame. Two bars rest on the horse's back, one on each side of the spine. The fork rises in front and the cantle rises in back. Traditional trees are wood covered in rawhide, which shrinks tight as it dries. Synthetic trees are also made. How well the tree fits the horse matters more than anything built on top of it. Our saddles are built on rawhide trees made in Utah.

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The front: fork, gullet and horn

Fork (or swells, or pommel): the front of the tree that rises over the horse's withers. A narrow, flat fork is called a slick fork. A wide one is a swell fork. On a form fitter, the swells are undercut to hold the rider's thighs.

Gullet: the open space under the fork that clears the withers.

Horn: the post and cap on top of the fork. Ropers dally around it, and everyone else grabs it now and then.

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The seat and cantle

Seat: where you sit. Western seat size is usually measured from the back of the swells to the front edge of the cantle.

Cantle: the raised back of the seat. A taller cantle holds you in more. A lower one makes it easier to get on and off.

Cantle binding: the leather edge across the top of the cantle.

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Jockeys and skirts

Jockeys: the flat leather pieces around the seat, front and rear, that cover the tree and rigging.

Skirts: the large leather panels under the saddle. They spread the load and keep the tree and rigging off the horse. They come in square and round shapes.

Lining: the fleece on the underside of the skirts. Ours is real sheep's wool, on superior skirting leather.

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Fenders, leathers and stirrups

Stirrup leathers: the straps that hang from the tree and carry the stirrups.

Fenders: the wide leather panels between your leg and the horse's side.

Stirrups: where your feet go. They come in many widths and shapes.

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Rigging and cinches

Rigging: the ring or dee that the front cinch attaches to. Full rigging sits right under the horn. Center-fire sits halfway back. Three-quarter sits halfway between those two, and seven-eighths sits between full and three-quarter.

Latigo and off billet: the straps that tie or buckle the front cinch on each side.

Flank billets and rear cinch: a second cinch farther back. It's common on ranch and roping saddles.

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Strings and conchos

Saddle strings are leather ties for carrying gear, like a slicker or a rope. Conchos are the round pieces that hold them.

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How the parts change by style

Saddle styles mostly differ in the shape of the fork, the cantle height and the rigging. Our Ranch Boss is a modified form fitter with plenty of swell and a higher cantle. Our Trail Boss is a modified association ranch saddle built for comfort and convenience. See both on our Saddles page.

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Frequently asked questions

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What is the cantle on a saddle?

The cantle is the raised back edge of the seat. It keeps the rider from sliding back. Cantle height varies by saddle style.

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What is the swell on a western saddle?

The swell, also called the fork, is the front of the saddle tree that rises under the horn. Its width and shape change how the front of the saddle holds the rider.

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What is a saddle tree?

The tree is the frame the whole saddle is built on. Its two bars rest on the horse's back on either side of the spine. Traditional trees are wood covered in rawhide.

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What is the difference between full and 3/4 rigging?

Rigging position is where the front cinch attaches. Full rigging sits directly under the horn. Three-quarter rigging sits farther back, halfway between full and center-fire.

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What trees does Straight Arrow Saddlery use?

Straight Arrow Saddlery builds its saddles on rawhide trees made in Utah.