Reiner Saddle
Western Saddle: the Path From War Saddle to Stock Saddle
The western saddle has an interesting history and development. While it is now considered a uniquely American style, its origins can actually be traced back to the Moorish horsemen and warriors of the Dark Ages. When the Moors invaded Spain in the 700′s, they brought with them their unique style of riding and tack. Their saddles were designed for battle, with high cantles and forks for protection and security, and longer stirrups to accommodate riding with armor. This was the saddle of the knights and the crusades.
The Spaniards adapted this saddle into what became known as the Spanish War Saddle. This was the saddle they brought with them to the New World. As their goals in this new country transitioned from military conquest to colonial expansion, this military saddle evolved into a stock saddle, known as the Spanish Stock Saddle. The stock saddle was designed as a tool for the working cowboy and followed the expansion into the American West.
The evolution of the stock saddle was greatly influenced by geography and culture. Distinct styles developed reflecting differences in climate, terrain, culture, and stock working styles. The harsh climate and punishing brush and mesquite of the southwest resulted in saddles built to protect the rider – big, bulky, plain. The mild climate and lush land of California provided the vaqueros with much more leisure time which they used for saddle decoration. Their saddles were not only smaller than the Texans, but were embellished with rich carving, lacing, and silver work.
From the 1700′s through the 1950′s, the western stock saddle continued to evolve, with new features to support cattle work and improved construction methods to extend strength, durability, and comfort.
Today, the needs of the working cowboy are no longer the only focus of western saddle design. Saddles are now designed for a wide variety of uses and riders – trail/pleasure, endurance, rodeo contestant, team roper, barrel racer, reiner, cutter, and, of course, working cowboy. Western saddles are now manufactured, imported, and exported all over the world. But regardless of their style or origins, all of these saddles share ancestry and derive from the western stock saddle.
About the Author
Beth Stefani is the publisher of http://www.western-saddle-guide.com , a comprehensive online resource for understanding, choosing, and caring for the western saddle and accessories that are right for you. Visit the Western Saddle Guide for more tips and information about western saddles and accessories.
Billy Cook 10-6000 Reining Saddle Review by Horse Saddle Shop
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WESTERN EQUIPEDIC Saddle Pad, Reiner / Roper Style $215.00 |
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Med O Western Reiner Star Studded Show Trail Saddle 16″ $334.00 |
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Brown Western Reiner Show Trail Saddle Set 17″ Hvy Duty $368.00 |
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15 1/2″ Custom Caldwell Show / Reiner Western Saddle $3,000.00 |
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Billy Royal Rowel Reiner Reining Saddle 15 16 17 19959 $1,659.99 |
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Billy Royal Westcoast Reiner Reining Saddle 16 17 13178 $1,659.99 |
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16″ Tex Tan Reiner Saddle $420.00 |
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15 Dale Chavez Show Saddle 16 Berry Dot Reiner 17 $2,599.99 |
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Crates Ladies Reining Reiner Saddle 4516-3, 15.5 inch Seat EX condition!!!!! $1,075.00 |
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16″ G.W. CRATE EVOLUTION FLEX REINING SADDLE CUSTOM FREE SHIP TRAIL REINER NEW $1,299.00 |
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Brown Western Reiner Show Trail Saddle Set 16″ Hvy Duty $354.00 |
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Big Horn Perfomance Reiner Western Show Saddle 16″ FQB $1,450.00 |
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Billy Cook Hamley Rose Reining Reiner Saddle *New Model $1,200.00 |
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Royal King Marshall Reiner Saddle 16 1/2″ $839.00 |
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Royal King Gainesville Reiner Saddle 15 1/2″ $739.00 |
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Royal King Gainesville Reiner Saddle 16 1/2″ $739.00 |
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Royal King Marshall Reiner Saddle 16-1/2″ $685.00 |
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Med O Western Reiner Star Studded Show Trail Saddle 16″ $334.00 |
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Billy Cook 16″ Milennium Reining Reiner Saddle $1,150.00 |
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New Billy Cook 16″ 9602 Classic Reiner, Close contact reining saddle / Flaw $1,195.00 |
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17″ Tooled Medium Oil Leather Western Reiner Saddle Horse Tack Equine $285.00 |
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15″ Tooled Medium Oil Leather Western Reiner Saddle Horse Tack Equine $285.00 |
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16″ Tooled Medium Oil Leather Western Reiner Saddle Horse Tack Equine $285.00 |
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16″ MEDIUM OIL WESTERN horse REINER SILVER SHOW SADDLE TRAIL SHOW 4PC $365.98 |
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16″ MEDIUM OIL WESTERN horse REINER FULLY TOOLED SADDLE TRAIL SHOW 4PC SET $365.98 |
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New Double C Saddlery 8086 16″ Reiner / Reining Saddle – Top Quality saddle! $995.00 |
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16″ Leather medium oil Western Reiner Show Pleasure Saddle set $389.99 |
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KB Bob’s Custom Reiner $4,600.00 |
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Western Pleasure Trail Reiner Show Saddle 16″ Brown SET $346.00 |
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Tex Tan Reiner 16″-2976 $1,925.00 |
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Med O Western Reiner Star Studded Show Trail Saddle 15″ $334.00 |
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Dakota Saddlery Reiner Saddle – 15 – Golden Brown $1,098.95 |
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Dakota Saddlery Reiner Saddle – 17 – Mahogany $1,125.95 |
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Saddlesmith Bob Loomis Reiner – Rich Pecan – 15 $1,416.95 |
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Saddlesmith Bob Loomis Reiner – Rich Pecan – 16 $1,446.95 |
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Basic Training of the Young Horse $18.95 The philosophy and techniques of the revered Olympic dressage champion…. |
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Saddlesmith Bob Loomis Reiner 15-1/2 Saddle $1,635.00 The Bob Loomis Reiner is the result of years of experience in the Reining Horse Industry producing one of the top Reining Saddles in use today. Bob requires special features in a Reining Saddle, including an Armor-Tex special Reiner tree, hand stamped basket tooling, unique three-way rawhide and leather rigging for close contact with the horse, a narrow, comfortable seat and “leg channels” from th… |
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Royal King Gainesville Reiner Saddle $560.30 This is a great saddle for reining, ranch work or trail riding. Built on a 5 year guaranteed rawhide covered tree. Features hand tooled basket stamp, roughout fender and jockey, full quarter horse bars, blevins style quick change buckles, neoprene in skirts, padded laced leather stirrups, padded suede leather seat and back cinch. TREE: Rawhide CoveredBARS: Full QuarterHORN: 3CANTLE: 3SWELL: 13GUL… |
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Saddlesmith of Texas Bob Loomis Reiner $2,020.00 This Bob Loomis Reiner features a hand tooled basket stamp, rawhide braided horn, close-contact rigging for extremely close contact fit, engraved silver conchos and flank slot…. |