I understand the history of saddles can't be told in a little snippet in a magazine, but the impression it can, makes light reading for the uniformed. OK, I get it, it's not about real education, it's about entertainment. So, I'm not real bummed by the content of Lauren Halley's "Where did it come from? Saddles" article. But, serious students of history, and the amazing functional art form of saddlery, gott'a be scratchin' their heads and goin', "That 'aint right."

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bustin' Lauren none, but the time honored and trusted tool of the American Cowboy has got to get a better shake than that. You can't boil the history of the American Stock Saddle down to five paragraphs and expect it to hold water. For instance, there are four very distinct advancements in saddle technology just within the 40 years that encompassed the era of the "Great Cattle Drive". On top of that you have geographical variations adapted to meet the terrain and duty of tending livestock in those areas. I've been studyin' saddles for over 30 years, and I'm still learnin' new and amazing things.

The great cattle drives pushed saddle technology to the very edge to develop a tool that could be lived in for months on end, and repaired along the trail with a Barlow knife and a rock. When they fenced the range, the saddle again adapted to specific ranch chores and diversified. From that we get the freak bronc bustin' saddles, the cuttin' saddles, and ropin' saddles, then came along sports variations like barrel racin' and trail ridin'.

After 1890, I don't see that many of the changes were worth keepin', that's why I only make the saddles of the 1800s. They are worth me spendin' my time on. And, for those remaining hardy souls who have to live day in and day out in the saddle, it's the only thing you should let come between you and a horse.

Will