A western sidesaddle is styled for comfort and security, suitable for Western Pleasure, show and/or ranch work. There are two categories of Western sidesaddles:

Western Pleasure Sidesaddles are built on a western bar tree but without the heavy duty construction and appearance of the stock sidesaddle. They are suitable for western pleasure use. The shape of skirts, flaps and degree of decoration will vary. All Western sidesaddles are equipped with western style cinches. The saddle may be all leather, or leather with suede or fabric seat. Underside may be of leather, sheepskin, felt, or have fabric panels.

Western Stock Sidesaddle is a heavy duty saddle built on a reinforced bar tree, double rigged, suitable for ranch and stock work. It may be all leather or leather and suede. The leaping horn is required, as it replaces the swelled fork in western astride saddles. The western stock sidesaddle may have round or square skirts, tooled or plain leather with a contemporary western appearance. The saddle has dees, carriers or latigo strings to secure reata, hobbles, slicker, etc. when required. Saddle skirts may be lined with sheep’s wool, felt, or leather. All western stock sidesaddles have western cinches.

English Sidesaddle

An English sidesaddle has a moderately dipped to level seat, suitable for modern hunt, saddleseat and dressage. It is styled for stability, ease of posting and security over fences where required. There are three categories for English sidesaddles:

English Hunt and/or Park sidesaddles may be of cutback or non-cutback style, however the cutback style preferred for a better fit to the mount. They will have an English fork tree that may be reinforced for jumping. The saddle must have a balance assembly and safety stirrup or breakaway stirrup leather. It may be of plain, smooth leather or a combination of leather and suede, and have a leaping pommel and fixed head of narrow, medium or wide width. The underside may be of leather, linen or serge. The off side will have a silhouette which is flattering to the horse.

English Pleasure Sidesaddles may or may not be cutback. They may be of the two or three pommel construction and a leaping pommel and balance assembly is required. The saddle should be of plain, smooth leather or leather with suede. The underside may be constructed of either leather or fabric. These saddles are not suitable for jumping and should, therefore, only be used for flat work.

Combination Sidesaddles are built on western bar trees with English exterior. Whitman, Hermes, Steele, Comal and Skyhorse combination sidesaddles shall be considered English pleasure saddles and are not suitable for jumping. They are best used for flat work only.

Period Sidesaddles

Antique sidesaddles that are used for historical reenactments and for other historical contests are referred to as Period Sidesaddles. Extreme care is recommended in choosing a Period sidesaddle because they are usually found in a fragile condition due to their age. Few saddles from prior to 1850 remain and of those that do should be considered for display purposes only. It is possible to purchase a custom-made reproduction of may Period sidesaddles, which come basically in two distinct styles. One is based on the English saddle making techniques and the other is based on Western saddle making traditions. For more specifics on Period saddles, please see “The Sidesaddle Legacy,“ available from the Side Saddle Source at www.sidesaddlesource.com.