When the Americans arrived in Texas in the 1820s they adopted big, plain, heavy square-skirted, double-rigged saddles that were suited for the heavy brush of the area. Ranching, rodeo, riding, roping and most of the lingo all pay silent homage to the Mexican vaquero. Throughout history the measure of a good cowboy wasn’t his skill with a six-shooter or how good he could ride but it was the ability to rope. As Spanish colonization moved into North America it evolved into two different major branches, the Californios and the Tejanos.Ĭattle roamed wild and free in the western ranges and because it was a “land of little rainfall” or “short grass country”, the horse and rope were essential to working cattle. ![]() In Mexico it evolved into a stock saddle, a tool for the vaqueros. The Spanish adopted the style and became the “Spanish War Saddle.” They brought it to Mexico during the conquest in the early 1500s. They were designed for battle with high cantles and forks for protection along with long stirrups for riding with armor. The western saddle can be traced back to Moors A.D. ![]() But the western style saddle goes back to the Crusades and earlier. Back east in the heavily wooded country cattle were mostly herded on foot. The saddle horn was essential for roping open range cattle during roundup time. ![]() ![]() The biggest difference between the western saddle and eastern is the horn.
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