The Difference Between a Western Barrel Saddle & Western Pleasure Saddle

If you are new to western riding, you may have noticed that there are many different styles of saddles available. Each type of saddle within the western discipline is designed for a specific purpose, from calf roping and herding cattle to barrel racing and western pleasure. Each saddle has its own unique elements that make it perfectly suited to that specific endeavor.

  1. Weight

    • Since barrel racing is a timed competition often decided by hundredths of a second, every little bit of weight can make a big difference, Therefore barrel racing saddles tend to be very lightweight, often weighing less than 20 pounds. Barrel racing saddles also feature rounded skirts, further reducing the weight and making it easier for the horse to move. Western pleasure saddles are larger, with squared fenders and more ornate tooling on the leather.

    Silver Trim

    • Western pleasure saddles tend to have a lot of silver trim, designed to catch the judge's eye in a crowded class of competitors. In fact, some western pleasure saddles have silver covering virtually every leather surface, including silver on the stirrups, on the fenders of the saddle and even on the pommels and saddle horn. Barrel racing saddles are often plainer, although some competitors like to put a small amount of silver trim on their saddles.

    Saddle Horn

    • Barrel racing saddles tend to have smaller and more compact saddle horns than other types of western saddles. This small size makes it easier for the rider to get a secure grip on the horn when making fast turns. The saddle horn on a western pleasure saddle is larger, and often has a silver concho mounted on top to provide extra flash and catch the eye of the judge.

    Cantle

    • The cantle, or back of the saddle seat, tends to be much higher in a barrel racing saddle. This high cantle creates a deeper seat, which in turn helps the rider remain more secure during the fast runs and quick turns of the barrel racing pattern. The cantle on a western pleasure saddle is generally lower, resulting in a flatter seat that is more suited to the slow pace of the competition.