| The western saddle has an interesting history and | | | | culture, and stock working styles. The harsh climate |
| development. While it is now considered a uniquely | | | | and punishing brush and mesquite of the southwest |
| American style, its origins can actually be traced back | | | | resulted in saddles built to protect the rider - big, bulky, |
| to the Moorish horsemen and warriors of the Dark | | | | plain. The mild climate and lush land of California |
| Ages. When the Moors invaded Spain in the 700's, | | | | provided the vaqueros with much more leisure time. |
| they brought with them their unique style of riding and | | | | Their saddles were not only smaller than the Texans, |
| tack. Their saddles were designed for battle, with high | | | | but evolved into highly decorative pieces. |
| cantles and forks for protection and security, and | | | | From the 1700's through the 1950's, the western stock |
| longer stirrups to accommodate riding with armor. This | | | | saddle continued to evolve, with new features to |
| was the saddle of the knights and the crusades. | | | | support cattle work and improved construction |
| The Spaniards adapted this saddle into what became | | | | methods to extend strength, durability, and comfort. |
| known as the Spanish War Saddle. This was the | | | | Today, the needs of the working cowboy are no |
| saddle they brought with them to the New World. As | | | | longer the only focus of western saddle design. |
| their goals in this new country transitioned from military | | | | Saddles are now designed for a wide variety of uses |
| conquest to colonial expansion, this military saddle | | | | and riders - trail/pleasure, endurance, rodeo contestant, |
| evolved into a stock saddle, known as the Spanish | | | | team roper, barrel racer, reiner, cutter, and, of course, |
| Stock Saddle. The stock saddle was designed as a | | | | working cowboy. Western saddles are now |
| tool for the working cowboy and followed the | | | | manufactured, imported, and exported all over the |
| expansion into the American West. | | | | world. But regardless of their style or origins, all of |
| The evolution of the stock saddle was greatly | | | | these saddles share ancestry and derive from the |
| influenced by geography and culture. Distinct styles | | | | western stock saddle. |
| developed reflecting differences in climate, terrain, | | | | |