How to Attach a Bucking Roll to an English Saddle

Bucking rolls are pads that are usually stuffed with something soft, such as hair. They are attached to a western saddle behind the pommel to the swells. They serve to help riders place their legs properly and not injure themselves as their horses buck. The first bucking rolls were implemented by rodeo cowboys to place on western saddles so that riders were not injured by their saddle horns when their mounts bucked. Bucking rolls that are attached to an english saddle are called thigh rolls or thigh blocks.

Things You'll Need

  • English saddle
  • Thigh rolls or thigh blocks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect your saddle and determine its manufacturer. The most simple way to attach thigh blocks to your saddle is to buy the thigh blocks the company that made your saddle is selling. If you can find thigh blocks from your saddle's manufacturer, you will be more likely to find ones that fit properly without alterations. You will also be more likely to find thigh rolls that match your saddle's exact leather treatment and color.

    • 2

      Look carefully at your saddle and determine whether it is outfitted for Velcro or screw-in thigh blocks. Some saddlers, such as Wintec, manufacture their saddles with removable Velcro thigh rolls. If your saddle came with removable Velcro knee rolls or thigh blocks, you can remove the old unsatisfactory ones by just pulling them off. New Velcro thigh blocks can be placed directly on the spot you removed your old thigh blocks from. Obviously, Velcro thigh blocks offer limited protection.

    • 3

      Shop around on the Internet and in tack shops for your thigh blocks. Ascertain that you are buying English thigh blocks and not western buck rolls, because western buck rolls will not fit on an English saddle. Thigh blocks come in all shapes and sizes. Choose the shape and size that is appropriate to your needs; for example, Velcro or screw in.

    • 4

      Locate the hardware on your saddle for screwing in new thigh blocks, if your saddle has no Velcro. You should be able to locate a hole to screw something into on both sides of your saddle at the top of the knee rolls. Your new screw-in thigh rolls will have a screw sticking out of the back of each one. You can simply screw these directly in to your saddle. Check that, when you have finished, they are right side up. You can determine this by looking at the instructions they came with.

    • 5

      Find a professional leather worker to make alterations to your saddle if your saddle is not fitted for knee rolls. Under no circumstances should you attempt this alteration yourself, because you will destroy your saddle. To locate a leather worker who has experience altering saddles, ask for references at both your barn and your favorite tack store.