 If you have to lasso livestock, you understand the difference a roping saddle makes. Not everyone rides for pleasure, and Holtz Saddle Co understands that. We sell saddles that are made for working cowboys, ranchers, and riders as well as leisure riders and equestrian competitors. And they can make all the difference in the world.
Roping saddles are important pieces of equipment for any working cowboy or competitive roper. Cowboys originally developed roping as a technique on working ranches when it was necessary to capture and restrain a full-grown animal that was too large to handle by a single man. Today there are tens of thousands of amateur ropers who compete for millions of dollars in prize money! Spending some money on a quality saddle is probably worth the extra money if you are good enough to win!
Modern competitive contests start when the header is ready, he calls for the release of a freed steer, which breaks out running from a confined gate. When the steer reaches the end of the barrier rope, the rider barrier releases, allowing the horse and rider to give chase. The header must rope the steer with one of three legal catches: a clean horn catch around both horns, a neck catch around the neck or a half-head catch around the neck and one horn. You need a saddle that helps both you and your horse stay balanced and in control while trying to wrangle a strong, worked up animal. This can mean the difference between tipping forward or losing your balance and falling, which can lead to be dragged. Even with smaller livestock, you’ll need a light, comfortable, sturdy roping saddle. It’s worth it to be extra safe when handling strong, living animals that can put up a fight!
Make sure your roping saddle has a thicker horn for securing the rope, with a low cantle and a slick fork that allows you to dismount quickly when you need to. These saddles usually have double rigging and sometimes have a rubber wrap around the saddle horn to prevent slipping.
You can see the difference roping saddles make on competitors, but for ranch hands and herders, they make work easier and more pleasurable – and those are perks that are hard to beat. For those of us who use our horse as our transportation and our muscle in wrangling livestock, roping saddles keep us in place and safe. This is especially important for herders who work alone, far away from other riders!
The right endurance saddle can help you win first place or simply herd up any unruly cattle on your farm. It’s trusted by riders who work in their saddle, keeping them safely in place day in and day out. Make your ranch work easier or win your first place trophy - roping saddles can help! | 
