Difference Between Roping Saddle & Barrel Saddle

Saddles can be divided into English and Western types. However, these two categories can be subdivided further by their use. For example, hunt seat, dressage and saddle seat saddles fall under the general category of English saddles, but each is used for a different discipline. Western saddles can also be further divided by their use for such activities as barrel racing, pleasure, trail and roping.

  1. Western Saddles

    • While all Western saddles share features, such as saddle horns, skirts and leather fenders, these individual parts vary according to the activity. The type of rigging, cantle height, horn style, saddle weight, and freedom of stirrup movement are the most common differences.

    Seat and Fenders

    • Roping saddles need strength to hold an animal at the end of a rope.

      Both roping saddles and barrel racing saddles have deep seats to aid the rider in staying with the horse through explosive starts and quick turns. Both types of saddles often have rough-out seats and fenders because rough-out leather provides the rider with more grip. The fenders in a roping saddle have little swing to them as the rider needs to be able to get up and balance while throwing the rope. The barrel racing saddle's stirrups will have more swing in them so the rider can always have her center of balance under her.

    Rigging

    • Roping saddles have two cinches. The front one is usually wider than normal to distribute the weight more evenly when the steer or calf is caught. The cinch on a roping saddle is usually hung in the full position although some will be in the 7/8 position. This helps keep the saddle in place. While the back cinch on a roping saddle is fastened loosely, it still keeps the back of the saddle down on the horse. Barrel racing saddles, on the other hand, have only a front cinch because there is no reason for the back to come up. In addition, its in-skirt rigging removes some weight from the saddle and allows it to stay closer to the horse.

    Stirrups

    • Barrel racing saddles need to be light.

      The stirrups on a roping saddle are usually larger--a width of several inches is common. The stirrups are also placed more forward than barrel racing stirrups so the rider can brace against them if necessary. Barrel racing stirrups are narrower and often in an oxbow shape. This style allows the rider to keep her feet in place with little difficulty.

    Saddle Horns and Trees

    • The horn of a roping saddle is usually tall and thick and is often wrapped with extra leather strips to handle the force of an animal at the end of the rope. A barrel racing horn, on the other hand, is tall and thin by comparison to allow a good grip for the rider as she negotiates tight turns at speed. While the tree of the roping saddle is made of wood, that of the barrel racing saddle is often made of synthetic materials such as ralide, which is much lighter.