We were back in Bozeman last weekend, so I took more pictures of a saddle in progress, for those of you who are interested in how it all comes together. (see my original post Skeletons in the Garage, for the first half of this conversation) This one has the seat and the back, or cantle, in place, plus the 'rigging' on the sides where the cinches will attach. The placement of that front D ring makes a big difference in how the saddle will sit on the horse. Ropers and ranch cowboys like it set forward farther, nearly in direct line with the center of the swells. This keeps the front of the saddle snugged down around the horse's withers when a cow is being pulled or stopped, and lessens the amount of turning and rocking, which causes friction and pinching. Saddles built for pleasure riding or other events may have the D ring set farther back, behind the swells.
1 comment:
I actually understood some of that! My horseback riding lessons are payinf off!
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