Purpose of High Cantle?

phoenixfyre71 · 09-23-2008, 11:17 PM

I don't know much about western saddles and I was wondering what the purpose of having a steep and high cantle was. Does one see them more on roping, trail, barrel or whatever? Someone educate me please. Thanks

buck1173 · 09-24-2008, 05:49 AM

I believe its for security purposes, a high cantboard will keep your butt in the saddle and the rider from slipping around. Barrel racers like a high cantboard so they can keep stuck with the horse during the fast breaks to speed. Some dressage riders too like a high cantle to keep steady with the horse. You don't have to fight sliding away from the horse during a big movement, as fighting would be tension and tension is what you're trying to eliminate.

conversely, some like a low cantboard, like I do on my western saddle. I chose a roping style with a low cantboard so I could easily get in and out in a hurry if need be.

phoenixfyre71 · 09-24-2008, 10:10 AM

Thanks for answering. My mom gave me a saddle yesterday and the cantle seemed a bit high to me. I didn't know if it was a trail saddle or what. It isn't a barrel saddle I know for sure bit I dont know the difference between roping, trail and such. WHen I clean it I will post pics and maybe someone could identify it.

endurgirl · 09-24-2008, 10:30 AM

Maybe something like this?

phoenixfyre71 · 09-24-2008, 10:34 AM

yeah it looks like that..

09-23-2008, 11:17 PM	#1
phoenixfyre71 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Moody, Al Posts: 1,575 Images: 6	Purpose of High Cantle? I don't know much about western saddles and I was wondering what the purpose of having a steep and high cantle was. Does one see them more on roping, trail, barrel or whatever? Someone educate me please. Thanks

09-24-2008, 05:49 AM	#2
buck1173 Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,357 Images: 18 Blog Entries: 1	I believe its for security purposes, a high cantboard will keep your butt in the saddle and the rider from slipping around. Barrel racers like a high cantboard so they can keep stuck with the horse during the fast breaks to speed. Some dressage riders too like a high cantle to keep steady with the horse. You don't have to fight sliding away from the horse during a big movement, as fighting would be tension and tension is what you're trying to eliminate. conversely, some like a low cantboard, like I do on my western saddle. I chose a roping style with a low cantboard so I could easily get in and out in a hurry if need be. __________________ Horses generally are doing fine until the people show up—DESMOND loads of snowballs & hugs and a visit from the Great-Valentines Day-Thanksgiving-Halloweeny-Bunny-O'Santa-of-Doom! [blush]

09-24-2008, 10:30 AM	#4
endurgirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,638 Images: 243 Blog Entries: 5	Maybe something like this? __________________ I squatted with my spurs on!!! I got snowballed....and they throw like a girl!!!! I got hugged 2x!!

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09-24-2008, 10:10 AM	#3
phoenixfyre71 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Moody, Al Posts: 1,575 Images: 6	Thanks for answering. My mom gave me a saddle yesterday and the cantle seemed a bit high to me. I didn't know if it was a trail saddle or what. It isn't a barrel saddle I know for sure bit I dont know the difference between roping, trail and such. WHen I clean it I will post pics and maybe someone could identify it.

09-24-2008, 10:34 AM	#5
phoenixfyre71 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Moody, Al Posts: 1,575 Images: 6	yeah it looks like that..