Saddle Horns: Types, Wraps, and Maintenance Tips

What Is A Saddle Horn?

The saddle horn is a key part of a Western saddle. It extends from the saddle's pommel—also called the fork or swell—and offers the rider support, a solid grip, and gives a cowboy a way to tie, or dally, a rope when roping cattle.

Originally made for cattle roping, the saddle horn lets a cowboy wrap or tie a rope around it when dallying cattle.

Nowadays, riders also use the saddle horn in sports like barrel racing and when riding young horses. Holding onto the horn can help a rider keep balanced, making it easier for the horse to move smoothly. But it's all about keeping your weight down in your seat and feet for better riding, not just gripping the horn.

Types Of Saddle Horns And Uses

These are the main types of saddle horns you'll find on a Western saddle, their features, and what their used for.

Why You Should Wrap A Saddle Horn

You should wrap a saddle horn so you can dally better, to make your saddle last longer, and to keep you safe from your horn breaking down.

Brand new saddles need to have their horns wrapped, especially for Team Roping and competitive Roping events. Older saddles need to be re-wrapped when needed so the wrap doesn't break down.

Safety

The materials underneath the wrap can break down over time leaving the wrap as the only thing keeping your horn together.

So if the wrap breaks, then the whole saddle horn is gone. If this happens, you can end up losing a finger and having a bad accident. For safety, regularly re-wrapping your saddle horn prevents accidents.

Protection

A wrapped horn is shielded from wear and tear, extending the life of your saddle horn.

Rope Management

Different materials like mule hide or rubber offer varied levels of grip and slide, allowing for better control of the rope. It builds up your horn for a bigger dally. It works to grip the rope and feed it also.

Build a Base For Your Saddle

Wrap on top of a nylon saddle horn knot to build up a good base.

Rubber Dally Wrap vs Mule Hide Wrap

When it comes to choosing between a mule hide and a rubber dally wrap, cowboys often make their decision based on personal preference and the unique qualities of each material.

Rubber and synthetic wraps offer a much stronger grip on the rope, limiting its slide during dallying. They are used often by competitive ropers, like Team Ropers, who need a firm hold.

Mule hide, a type of leather, is known for its 'slick' nature, facilitating easier sliding of the dally. This characteristic is particularly useful for gentler handling of cattle and horses, as it allows for more precise control over tension and release.

How To Wrap A Saddle Horn

There are a few different ways to wrap a saddle horn using rubber or mule hide. These are the best ways to wrap a saddle horn for your safety, saddle horn protection, and to help you dally better.

How To Wrap A Saddle Horn With A Rubber Dally Wrap

You’ll need about 10 pieces of inner tube rubber Dally Wrap

Sitting in your saddle, start by wrapping one end of the wrap to the base of the horn and adding layers from bottom to top. Make these first layers as tight as you possibly can while keeping it consistent from bottom to top.
Make sure there is a lot of wrap at the base to prevent the rope from running
Fold the wrap to get it tighter
Always keep it even and consistent to prevent a cone-shaped wrap. This shape will cause you to lose your dally more often.
Make the last few wraps a little bit loose. This helps your rope absorb more rubber and grip better. Fold the rubber just a little bit on top, creating ridges for the rope to grab on to.

Pro Tip: With older saddles, we can end up with new pieces of wrap covering up broken pieces of wrap. This works fine, until it doesn’t. If the wrap breaks, then you’re basically left without a horn and you can end up getting hurt. So get in the habit of regularly re-wrapping your horn.

How To Wrap A Saddle Horn With A Mule Hide Wrap

You’ll need good quality Mule Hide leather, a hammer and nails, an old piece of leather with a slip or handle, and a piece of wood or shovel handle.

Start by nailing one end of the wrap underneath the gullet and running the wrap through to the saddle horn. Then flip the saddle over.
Take the saddle strings and put them underneath the first wrap.
Start pulling the wrap, making sure to get it as tight as you can. This builds the base of the wrap around the horn.
On your last wrap around, leave a little lip on the bottom of the horn to protect your swell covers.
Once your horn is covered well, slide the end of the wrap where the saddle strings are and gently pull the wrap through and remove the strings.
Pull the wrap tighter through and make sure to get any bubbles out.
Tighten by wrapping an old piece of leather with a handle around the wrap and inserting a shovel handle or piece of wood through the slip and add pressure on the other end. This acts like a cheater bar to tighten the wrap and remove any slack and bubbles that might be there.

Why Does a Saddle Horn Smoke?

A smoking saddle horn can happen during intense roping activities. It happens because of intense friction generated by a rope winding quickly around the horn and producing heat.

The heat can be enough to cause slight burning of the horn or the wrap material and it can start to smoke. The amount of force exerted during roping, especially when a caught animal is pulling against the rope, makes it more likely to happen.

Best Dally Wrap for Saddle Horns

Wrapping a saddle horn is the best way to keep it protected through the years. Wrap a new saddle as soon as you can and re-wrap an older saddle whenever the wrap breaks down. This will prevent injuries and preserve the integrity of your saddle.

What Is A Saddle Horn Knot

A saddle horn knot is a braided rope designed to loop over the saddle horn, protecting it from rope burn and keeping your roping rope attached during activities like calf roping in the arena or roping on the ranch.

There are two kinds of cowboys, those who dally and those who tie-off. And there are 3 ways to tie-off: mechanical quick release, leather quick release, or a saddle horn knot.

How To Tie A Saddle Horn Knot

Choose a 1/8” cord made of nylon, braided leather, plastic, aluminum, or even paracord
Begin by making a loop around the horn, wrapping it around five or six times to start.
After the initial wraps, take the shorter end of the cord and start weaving it through the loops.
Hold the cord lined up in your hand, pulling one loop out from the bottom up, skipping one, and then going to the next. Repeat this process until you've circled the entire horn.
Once you've completed a couple of laps around the horn, start tightening each loop. This process involves pulling each loop tight against the horn, ensuring the knot is secure.
If the ends don't align perfectly, you may need to undo some wraps and adjust.
Once the alignment is right, continue braiding in the opposite direction. Keep the tension tight, leaving small gaps for the next round of braiding.
Continue the process until you reach the bottom of the horn. As you pull each loop, twist the rope slightly to ensure it lays flat and untwisted.
After completing the braid, trim any excess cord. Sear the ends with a hot iron or lighter to prevent fraying. Be cautious if using a lighter to avoid burning the saddle horn.

Pro Tip: When using a horn knot as a heeler, make sure you tell your header knows about it. A quick release can be loosened under pressure, but with a horn knot, you need slack by moving your horse closer. If you use this to heel, you’ll want to leave a longer tail in the knot so you can use it to pull it off your horn easier. Remember, if the header releases their rope too soon and you're tied on, the tension can cause significant strain on the heel horse and the cow.

Where to Buy Custom Saddle Horn Knots

Best Saddle Horn Accessories

Every good saddle horn needs a few saddle horn accessories. From holding your cell phone to your firestarter to your knife, saddle horn accessories can make your ride just a little bit easier.

Final Thoughts

In the world of Western riding, the saddle horn emerges as a multifaceted and essential component. From the traditional No. 1 Saddle Horn, favored for its versatility, to the specialized Texas Dally and Guadalajara horns, designed for specific roping needs, each type serves a unique purpose.

The saddle horn's importance transcends mere functionality; it's a vital element that connects the rider to the horse and the task at hand, be it cattle roping or competitive sports. Proper maintenance, including regular wrapping, not only prolongs the life of the horn but also ensures safety and efficiency in riding and roping.

Whether you're a seasoned cowboy or a newcomer to Western riding, understanding and caring for your saddle horn can greatly enhance your riding experience.

With a variety of options available, from mule hide to polymer wraps, and accessories like saddle horn caps and bags, the saddle horn continues to be a central and evolving feature in the equestrian world.

Richard Sutherland

RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.org

Richard 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.