The saddle tree is the foundation of a good saddle. The tree shape determines what the saddle will look like. We hope that this guide can help in explaining any questions you may have about our saddles.
Tree Styles
These are examples of Colorado Saddlery's most popular styles of trees, the Association, the Bowman, and the A Fork.
TREE MATERIALS
There seem to be saddle trees made of new materials on the market everyday. The following are the "basics". These are the types of trees that have withstood the test of time.
Rawhide Covered
This is the "original" style of tree. The tree is constructed of wood then covered with rawhide which is stitched areound the wooden parts. This type of tree can be used for any purpose.
Fiberglass Covered
This style of tree is constructed of wood then covered with fiberglass. It is strong and durable and decreases the weight of the tree. It can be used for any type of use though heavy roping is not recommended. The Steele Equi Fit tree that we use in several saddles is fiberglass covered.
Ralide®
Ralide® trees are molded trees made of polyetylene. It has great tensile strength and is light weight. Ralide® trees can be used for almost any riding purpose. Heavy roping is not recommended when using a Ralide® tree.
Ultra Tech
This style of tree is constructed of a wood and fiberglass composite. It is extra strong and durable. It can be used for any type of riding.
ALL COLORADO SADDLERY TREES COME WITH A 5 YEAR WARRANTY.
Measurements
This is a general guide of how a saddle is measured.
General Information on Riggings
The rogging is what holds the saddle to the horse. It is attached to the tree with heavy screws and can come in a variety of styles and posotions. The riggings we use are designed to be secure no mater what kind of riding the saddle is used for.
Rigging Types
These are examples of Colorado Saddlery's most popular styles of riggings, the Hanging Dee, the Flat Plate, and the Colorado Saddlery 3 Way "Perfect Rig"™.
The 3 Way "Perfect Rig"™ is designed to allow you to set your rigging at the full, 7/8 or 3/4 position depending on the horse or the country you are riding in. The design of the rigging means that your latigos hang true no matter what position you choose.
Rigging Positions
Rigging position determines where the saddle will sit on the horse's back and where the cincha will ride on the horse's belly. the most popular position is the 7/8.
