{"title":"Western Saddles","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWestern Saddles for South African Riders\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Western saddle is built around a different philosophy to its English cousins. Wider panels, a deep seat with a horn at the pommel, longer fenders in place of stirrup leathers, and a tree designed to distribute weight across a larger area of the horse's back. Originally a ranch saddle for full-day cattle work, it has become popular with South African recreational riders, trail riders, and anyone who values comfort and security over formal dressage or jumping position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat defines a Western saddle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFour hallmark features. First, the horn — a rise at the front of the saddle, historically used for roping cattle, now a useful grip on steep terrain. Second, the deep seat with a pronounced cantle, which cradles the rider on long rides. Third, the wide stirrups, usually fendered (the leather runs in one piece from saddle to stirrup rather than a separate leather and iron). Fourth, the wider tree, which spreads weight over more of the horse's back but also requires careful fit — Western saddles don't fit narrow-backed horses well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho a Western saddle suits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecreational riders, farm and ranch owners, Western pleasure riders, and anyone who rides on the trail or in the bush for longer stretches without competing in English disciplines. It's also a popular choice for taller or heavier riders who find the deeper seat more supportive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFinding the right fit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWestern saddles come in a wider range of tree widths than English ones — \"semi-quarter horse\", \"quarter horse\" and \"full quarter horse\" bars are the most common. Your horse's back shape determines the right width. Pair with a wool or felt Western saddle pad (not an English numnah — the shape is wrong), a Western cinch (the Western equivalent of a girth), and appropriate stirrups and fenders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBrowse other disciplines\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor lighter, longer-distance Western-style riding, see our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/endurance-trail-western-saddles\"\u003eendurance, trail and Western\u003c\/a\u003e range. For English riding, browse our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/dressage-saddles\"\u003edressage\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/jumping-saddles\"\u003ejumping\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/gp-saddles\"\u003egeneral purpose\u003c\/a\u003e saddles. Or start with the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/saddles\"\u003esaddles range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSolo Saddlers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e35 years of South African saddlery experience, including our own range of Western saddles designed for local conditions. Honest fitting advice and nationwide delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"saddle-stockman-solo-fitted","title":"Saddle Stockman Solo Fitted - 17\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe genuine Solo stockman saddle, suitable for polocrosse, gymkhana and trail riding. This is a 17\" fitted saddle built for security in fast, demanding work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA deep, secure seat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe deep secure seat features rigid thigh blocks (ears) that support the full weight of a rider leaning out of the saddle - ideal for polocrosse and mounted games.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: 17\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTree: moulded with permanent thigh blocks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwist: narrow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePanels: fully flocked and padded serge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeather: top-quality full-grain tan leather with a lustrous reddish tan that absorbs oil readily and lasts for years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGirth and stirrups\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFitted with an Aussie-style single-buckle girth and an attaching surcingle that fastens over the top of the saddle for added security. Western-style stirrups hang on strong 50mm full-grain stirrup leathers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSee our full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/saddles\"\u003esaddle\u003c\/a\u003e range and matching \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/stirrups-leathers\"\u003estirrups and leathers\u003c\/a\u003e, or add a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/girths\"\u003egirth\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Solo Saddlers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42244381049010,"sku":"SAD190F","price":14149.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0621\/4932\/9074\/files\/SAD190F_SaddleStockmanSoloFitted_3.jpg?v=1696870491"},{"product_id":"saddle-western-solo","title":"Saddle Western Solo","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Solo Western saddle is built on a strong roping tree in full-grain leather that easily absorbs oil, making it a hard-working saddle for ranch work and western riding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong roping tree\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull-grain leather that easily absorbs oil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoft padded seat, comfortable to sit in for hours\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCut-away skirt to suit short-backed horses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvailable in 16\", 17\" and 18\" seat sizes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/endurance-trail-western-saddles\"\u003ewestern and trail saddles\u003c\/a\u003e, the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/saddles\"\u003esaddle\u003c\/a\u003e range, or add a matching \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/girths\"\u003egirth\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Solo Saddlers","offers":[{"title":"16\"","offer_id":42244547346610,"sku":"SAD259","price":10659.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true},{"title":"17\"","offer_id":42244547313842,"sku":"SAD259-17","price":10659.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true},{"title":"18\"","offer_id":42366868029618,"sku":"SAD259-18","price":10659.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0621\/4932\/9074\/products\/SAD259.jpg?v=1680608463"},{"product_id":"saddle-western-jesse-james","title":"Saddle Western Jesse James","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis saddle is made on a strong roping tree, with full grain leather that easily absorbs oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeatures a soft padded seat, that is comfortable to sit in for hours, with attractive silver lacing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSold with a string girth and leather back girth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatching bridle (BRI092) and breastplate (BRE021) available as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eStrong roping tree — built for real work as well as trail and pleasure riding\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFull grain leather that absorbs oil and develops character with age\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSoft padded seat for long hours in the saddle\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAttractive silver lacing detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAvailable in 16\", 17\" and 18\" seat sizes\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eChoice of Black, Brown or Tan leather\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIncludes a string girth and a leather back girth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBuilt for the Trail and the Yard\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Jesse James is a versatile \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/endurance-trail-western-saddles\"\u003ewestern and trail saddle\u003c\/a\u003e suited to South African riders who want a hard-wearing saddle that's equally at home on long trails or working livestock. The roping tree gives it the strength to handle proper work, while the padded seat keeps you comfortable on longer rides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMatch Your Tack\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair this saddle with the matching bridle (BRI092) and breastplate (BRE021) for a complete western set. Browse our full range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/saddles\"\u003esaddles\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/girths\"\u003egirths\u003c\/a\u003e to round out your kit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Solo Saddlers","offers":[{"title":"16\" \/ Black","offer_id":42244550754482,"sku":"SAD240","price":9999.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false},{"title":"16\" \/ Brown","offer_id":44702487183538,"sku":"SAD240-16B","price":9999.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false},{"title":"16\" \/ Tan","offer_id":43239522566322,"sku":"SAD240-16T","price":9999.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false},{"title":"17\" \/ Black","offer_id":42244550787250,"sku":"SAD240-17","price":9999.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false},{"title":"17\" \/ Brown","offer_id":44702487216306,"sku":"SAD240-17B","price":9999.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false},{"title":"17\" \/ Tan","offer_id":43239522599090,"sku":"SAD240-17T","price":9999.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false},{"title":"18\" \/ Black","offer_id":44702487249074,"sku":"SAD240-18","price":9999.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false},{"title":"18\" \/ Brown","offer_id":44702487281842,"sku":"SAD240-18B","price":9999.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false},{"title":"18\" \/ Tan","offer_id":44702487314610,"sku":"SAD240-18T","price":9999.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0621\/4932\/9074\/files\/SAD240-16T_SaddleWesternJesseJames_3.jpg?v=1725361519"}],"url":"https:\/\/solosaddlers.co.za\/collections\/western-saddles.oembed","provider":"Solo Saddlers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}