A Mexican saddle, also called a Charro saddle, is a special kind of saddle from Mexico. They're used by Charro's in the traditional Mexican horseback riding event called Charreria. These saddles are well-known for their detailed and ornate designs.
They're decorated with intricate leather tooling and silver or gold. They have colorful embroidery and show off the skill and tradition of the craftsman who made the saddle.
The Mexican saddle has a high front part (pommel) and a big horn, which help riders stay secure and handle ropes during fast moves. They also have big, wide stirrups called "estribos" for more stability and comfort.
But most people don't know there are three types of Mexican saddles and one of them gave birth to the Western stock saddle we know and love today.
What Is a Mexican Saddle?
Mexican saddles are Western saddles made of high quality leather, have a deep seat, high cantle, and saddle horn that is larger than other styles of Western saddles.
Mexican saddles have three distinct types: the Mexican Military saddle, Mexican Montura saddle, and Charro saddle.
There Are 3 Types of Mexican Saddles
Military Saddle: Not seen much today, but traditionally these were used by Mexican soldiers to patrol the land
Montura Saddle: A plain saddle used for everyday riding. This is what the first American cowboys started adapting
Charro Saddle: These are the fancy saddles most Cowboys associate with Mexican saddles. They are used in Charrería's and are collectibles.
What is a Mexican Military Saddle?
The "Montura Militar," or Mexican military saddle, holds a special place in the history and traditions of Mexico's military. This saddle, integral to the Mexican Army, played a significant role in various periods, including the Mexican War and other key military campaigns.
Its design was specifically tailored for the needs of mounted soldiers. They were made tought, durable, and helped improve the soldier's ability to patrol the land.
Beyond its practical use, the Mexican military saddle is steeped in cultural significance. It represents a rich part of Mexico's military heritage, symbolizing the country's historical military endeavors.
Antique Mexican military saddles are sought after for their craftsmanship and as tangible links to Mexico's military past, making them valuable collectible items.
Over the years, the need for a solider on horseback in Mexico has been phased out by tanks and vehicles. Overall, the Mexican military saddle is a significant artifact of military history, embodying the long-standing traditions and rich heritage of Mexico's military forces.
What is a Mexican Montura Saddle?
Cowboy gear as we know it today has its roots in the skills and innovations of the Mexican Vaqueros. Back in the late 1400s and 1500s, when Spaniards introduced cattle and horses to the New World, it was the Vaqueros, primarily native Mexicans, who first mastered managing livestock on vast open lands. They creatively modified Spanish military saddles by adding a horn, a feature essential for roping cattle, and thus, the first saddle horns were created.
When American cowboys first appeared in the Southwest, they encountered the Vaqueros and were impressed by their techniques and equipment. They started adopting and adapting Vaquero gear, infusing it with a distinct American flair.
Around the 1830s, Richard Hope, credited as the father of the Texas saddle, was instrumental in transforming the Mexican saddle into what is now known as the Western stock saddle.
Vaquero saddles are not only a part of equestrian history but are also celebrated for their functionality and versatility. These saddles are used in various activities, from competitions and dressage to everyday countryside riding.
The Mexican Montura, a simpler, more practical saddle primarily used for cattle work and ranch activities, served as the blueprint for the first American cowboys. They modified it, leading to the evolution of the Western stock saddle.
Over time, the Montura became a canvas for artisans and expert saddlers to showcase their craftsmanship. Saddles became more elaborate and ornate, especially as Vaqueros on the West Coast began to experiment with their designs in the mid-1800s, coinciding with the influx of Americans into the region.
The California-style saddle is a prime example of this evolution, characterized by its distinctive silver decorations and intricate designs. This Californian approach, along with others like the Texas style, owes its origins to the innovative spirit of the Vaqueros and their pioneering contributions to saddlery.
What is a Mexican Charro Saddle?
A Mexican Charro saddle, named after the Mexican Vaqueros known as "charros," originated in the 17th century in the Western Mexican State of Jalisco and surrounding regions, where the Charro culture is prevalent.
These saddles are known for their intricate piteado stitch work, often highlighted with silver or gold accents, making them works of art primarily used for show or events.
Piteado is a technique that involves embroidering pita fiber, made from the cactus plant, onto saddles and other leather goods, resulting in decorative patterns that require great skill and time to create.
Mexican silversmiths are renowned for their craftsmanship, and fancy Charro saddles are often adorned with silver or gold work. These saddles are the most decorated and ornate in Mexico and are used in Charreria, a traditional Mexican rodeo.
Charro saddles are modeled after the Montura Mexican saddle and are characterized by inlaid silver and gold, as well as high-quality leather. They are a powerful and masculine symbol in Mexico, reflecting the elite, highly skilled horsemen from the Mexican countryside who worked on haciendas and rural areas.
The women's attire in Charreria is also known for its eye-catching outfits, including bright, puffy dresses, fancy embroidered jackets, and big, wide-brimmed hats
What is the Charreada or Charreria?
Charros are a big part of Mexican culture, especially because of Charrería, Mexico's national sport. Charrería is a lot like a rodeo, where folks compete in events like roping, horse dancing, and synchronized riding by women.
While Charrería is similar to a rodeo, there's a big difference in the saddle. Instead of the thin, knobby handle you see on western saddles, charros use saddles with bigger horns. This design comes from the old days, making it easier for them to rope cattle.
A Charrería, or Charreada, is a rodeo-like competition and was developed from animal husbandry practices used on the haciendas of old Mexico. The sport has been described as "living history," and includes events like roping, horse dancing and women’s synchronized riding.
The sport involves a series of events that showcase the skills of the charros (male participants) and escaramuzas (female participants) in performing various traditional equestrian and ranching tasks.
The charreada itself consists of 9 scoring events staged in a particular order, with two or more teams competing against each other. The competitors are judged by both style and execution.
Charreada is a significant part of Mexican heritage and has been inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The sport is known for its rich history, cultural significance, and the pageantry associated with its events. It is a celebration of traditional horsemanship, ranching skills, and Mexican heritage.
What is a Vaquero Saddle?
A Vaquero saddle, or Vaquera saddle, is a special kind of saddle that comes from the vaquero tradition in horsemanship. This saddle is made to be comfortable and useful for both the rider and the horse. They're good for long, hard days working the ranch.
Mexican Saddles vs Vaquero Saddle
A Mexican saddle and a Vaquero saddle might seem similar at first glance. A Vaquero is a Mexican Cowboy, afterall.
But the two saddle have some key differences, mostly rooted in their unique history and the specific needs they were designed to meet.
Origin and Cultural Background
Vaquero Saddle: This type of saddle has its roots in the early Spanish settlers and cowboys of California and the American Southwest, known as "Vaqueros." It evolved from the Spanish colonial horse gear, adapting to the needs of cattle herding and ranching in these areas.
Mexican Saddle (Charro Saddle): The Mexican saddle, specifically the charro saddle, originates from a different tradition, the "charro" culture of Mexico. It's closely tied to the sport of charrería, which is like a Mexican rodeo, and reflects the cultural and equestrian practices of Mexico.
Design and Features
Vaquero Saddle: Vaquero saddles are known for their large, comfortable seat and wide contact area with the horse's back. This design is meant for long hours of work, offering comfort and functionality. They're often made with thick leather and may have high pommels and cantles (front and back parts of the saddle).
Mexican Saddle: The Mexican saddle, particularly the charro saddle, often features a distinctive horn design, which is bulkier and designed for roping. These saddles might also have more elaborate decorations, reflecting the charro tradition. They are built to be durable for the rugged activities in charrería.
Use and Functionality
Vaquero Saddle: It's designed mainly for ranch work and long hours of riding, prioritizing comfort for both the horse and rider.
Mexican Saddle: The Mexican saddle is designed with the specific needs of charrería in mind, including events like horse dancing, roping, and synchronized riding.
Aesthetic Differences
Vaquero Saddle: Tends to be more functional in appearance, with less emphasis on elaborate decorations.
Mexican Saddle: Often more ornate, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Mexico. They might feature intricate designs, tooling, and additional decorative elements.
While both saddles are designed for specific types of horsemanship and have their origins in Spanish equestrian culture, the vaquero saddle is more oriented towards the practical needs of cattle ranching and long rides, whereas the Mexican saddle is designed with the traditions and requirements of the charrería sport in mind, often featuring more elaborate designs.
Best Mexican Saddles
They originated in Mexico and there was a time when owning a "fine Mexican saddle" was a status symbol for a modern cowboy. But, through the years, some unsavory saddlers and retailers took advantage of cheap labor and low quality materials and began producing Mexican saddles that were poor quality.
Make sure you choose a Mexican saddle that has been crafted by a reputable and authentic saddle maker.
Montura Charra
Montura Charra is a well-known Mexican saddle brand that specializes in handmade Charro saddles. Their saddles are known for their quality materials and intricate designs.
Saddle Smith of Texas
Saddle Smith of Texas is a US-based company that makes a range of Western-style saddles, including Charro saddles. They use high-quality materials and traditional techniques to create durable and functional saddles.
Valerio Saddles
Valerio Saddles is a Mexican saddle brand that has been in operation for over 60 years. They make a variety of Charro and other Western-style saddles, all of which are handmade with quality materials and attention to detail.
Ranchera
Ranchera is another Mexican saddle brand that is known for their high-quality handmade charro saddles. They offer a range of designs and styles, all of which are crafted using traditional techniques and materials.
Arturo Montes
Arturo Montes is a highly respected Mexican saddle maker who has been in the business for over 50 years. He is known for his exquisite handmade charro saddles, which are often highly decorated with silver and other ornate embellishments.
Cavalga Saddles
Since 1980, Cavalga Saddles has been crafting saddles with a big focus on keeping the tradition of handmade, top-quality saddles alive. This company has strong ties to Mexican culture. They're all about bringing back the fame of the "fine Mexican saddle," which used to be a real treasure to own. Their saddles are made, tested, and improved right on real ranches, turning them into products that truly deserve their great reputation.
Cavalga Saddles takes pride in the fact that their saddles are handmade. They have skilled craftsmen who create beautiful, high-quality saddles. They don't just make regular saddles, though. They also create custom saddles for businesses and distributors in different places. They're pretty amazing because they can make over 1000 saddles every month without compromising on quality.
Richard Sutherland
RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.orgRichard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.