Reiner Saddle
Western Saddle: the Path From War Saddle to Stock Saddle
The western saddle has an interesting history and development. While it is now considered a uniquely American style, its origins can actually be traced back to the Moorish horsemen and warriors of the Dark Ages. When the Moors invaded Spain in the 700's, they brought with them their unique style of riding and tack. Their saddles were designed for battle, with high cantles and forks for protection and security, and longer stirrups to accommodate riding with armor. This was the saddle of the knights and the crusades.
The Spaniards adapted this saddle into what became known as the Spanish War Saddle. This was the saddle they brought with them to the New World. As their goals in this new country transitioned from military conquest to colonial expansion, this military saddle evolved into a stock saddle, known as the Spanish Stock Saddle. The stock saddle was designed as a tool for the working cowboy and followed the expansion into the American West.
The evolution of the stock saddle was greatly influenced by geography and culture. Distinct styles developed reflecting differences in climate, terrain, culture, and stock working styles. The harsh climate and punishing brush and mesquite of the southwest resulted in saddles built to protect the rider – big, bulky, plain. The mild climate and lush land of California provided the vaqueros with much more leisure time which they used for saddle decoration. Their saddles were not only smaller than the Texans, but were embellished with rich carving, lacing, and silver work.
From the 1700's through the 1950's, the western stock saddle continued to evolve, with new features to support cattle work and improved construction methods to extend strength, durability, and comfort.
Today, the needs of the working cowboy are no longer the only focus of western saddle design. Saddles are now designed for a wide variety of uses and riders – trail/pleasure, endurance, rodeo contestant, Team Roper, Barrel Racer, reiner, cutter, and, of course, working cowboy. Western saddles are now manufactured, imported, and exported all over the world. But regardless of their style or origins, all of these saddles share ancestry and derive from the western stock saddle.
About the Author
Beth Stefani is the publisher of http://www.western-saddle-guide.com , a comprehensive online resource for understanding, choosing, and caring for the western saddle and accessories that are right for you. Visit the Western Saddle Guide for more tips and information about western saddles and accessories.
 Billy Cook Hamley Rose Reining Reiner Saddle New Model  US $1,200.00
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 Royal King Gainesville Reiner Saddle 15 1 2 US $739.00
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 Royal King Marshall Reiner Saddle 16 1 2 US $839.00
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 Royal King Gainesville Reiner Saddle 16 1 2 US $739.00
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 Med O Western Reiner Star Studded Show Trail Saddle 16 US $334.00
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 Jack Foster Saddlery Reiner Pleasure Saddle US $599.99
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 Billy Cook 16 Milennium Reining Reiner Saddle US $1,150.00
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 15 Dale Chavez Show Saddle 16 Berry Dot Reiner 17 US $2,599.99
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 Brown Western Reiner Show Trail Saddle Set 17 Hvy Duty US $368.00
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 Western Pleasure Trail Reiner Show Saddle 17 Brown SET US $346.00
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 NEW CIRCLE Y Sierra Nevada Reiner Saddle16 Wide Tree US $1,899.00
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 Billy Cook Milennium Reiner Saddle 16 Natural US $3,500.95
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 NEW CIRCLE Y Sierra Nevada Reiner Saddle 16 Wide Tree US $1,899.00
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 Western Pleasure Trail Reiner Star Show Saddle 16 MedO US $336.00
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 Royal King Marshall Reiner Saddle 16 1 2 US $685.00
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 Western Pleasure Trail Reiner Show Saddle 16 Brown SET US $346.00
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 Brown Western Reiner Star Studded Show Trail Saddle 15 US $394.00
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 Cowboy Reiner Western Reining Saddle 16 Stallion US $399.99
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 Circle Y Reining Reiner Saddle Used Good Shape w Silver US $695.00
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Saddlesmith Bob Loomis Show Reiner 15-1/2" Saddle List Price: $1,775.00 Sale Price: $1,750.00  |
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Bob Loomis, affectionately known as "Mr. Reiner", is one of the best known and most respected Reining Horse trainers in the nation. bob has the most National Reining Horse Association Futurity victories since the inception of the event... |
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Saddlesmith Bob Loomis Reiner 15-1/2" Saddle Sale Price: $1,635.00 |
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The Bob Loomis Reiner is the result of years of experience in the Reining Horse Industry producing one of the top Reining Saddles in use today. Bob requires special features in a Reining Saddle, including an Armor-Tex special Reiner tree, hand stamped basket tooling, unique three-way rawhide and leather rigging for close contact with the horse, a narrow, comfortable seat and "leg channels" from the seat to the fenders... |
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Craig Johnson Reiner Saddle by Saddlesmith of Texas |
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Craig Johnson has carved a niche among today's top Reiners as a "Champion of Champions". He has designed his saddle from the ground up with a unique tree that gently slopes from a narrow swell to the forward center of the saddle... |
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Dick Pieper Reiner Saddle by Saddlesmith of Texas |
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Dick Pieper, one of the top Reiners in the industry for the last two decades, has designed this version of his popular Reining saddle with an extra touch of class. In addition to this unique Reining tree with Stainless steel in-skirt rigging and roughout seat jockey and fenders, Dick has added elegant, hand stamped Basket tooling with a top grain cowhide seat and hand engraved Silver trim... |
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Royal King Gainesville Reiner Saddle List Price: $877.80 Sale Price: $560.30 |
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This is a great saddle for reining, ranch work or trail riding. Built on a 5 year guaranteed rawhide covered tree. Features hand tooled basket stamp, roughout fender and jockey, full quarter horse bars, blevins style quick change buckles, neoprene in skirts, padded laced leather stirrups, padded suede leather seat and back cinch... |
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Saddlesmith of Texas Bob Loomis Show Reiner List Price: $1,875.00 |
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This Bob Loomis Reiner features a hand tooled Oak Leaf tooling, rawhide braided horn, close-contact rigging for extremely close contact fit, engraved silver conchos and flank slot. |
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Antique Brown Hoof Pick with Reiner |
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Great gift item!! This particular hoof pick depicts a sliding reining horse engraved into the silver accent on the handle. Heavy weight, and heavy duty. Hand made so each one is slightly individual in look... |
Lime Green
Orange Nylon
Boots English
Turquoise Tan
Cinch Girth
Saddle Ranch
Buckle Field
Dan Post
Ranch Roping
Wool Felt