Saddle Horns: Types, Wraps, and Maintenance Tips
In This Article
Imagine this: you're out working cattle when suddenly, your saddle horn starts to fall apart. You realize your saddle wrap is breaking and now you have a dangerous situation that can leave you with lost fingers and loose livestock.
This heart-sinking feeling is a stark reminder of just how crucial a solid, well-wrapped saddle horn is, not just for the task at hand, but for the longevity of your saddle.
Whether it's a mule hide wrapped Guadalajara or rubber wrapped Texas Dally, your saddle horn can either be your best friend for roping and dallying or something that causes an injury.
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Originally made for cattle roping, the saddle horn lets a cowboy wrap or tie a rope around it when dallying cattle.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.
- No. 1 Saddle Horn
- The No. 1 horn has a low profile and forward tilting fork which keeps it out of the way of your rein hand. It's designed to allow your hand to sit on the edge of the horn with it's edge in your palm. It's called the "No. 1" because it's the most popular horn on Western saddles. Uses: The No. 1 horn is used for less intense riding disciplines, like trail riding and reining.
- Wood Horn
- Wood horns sit close to the horse and have more friction than metal. Over time, wood horns can get worn down unless they are wrapped and re-wrapped for maintenance. You can end up with a smoking horn if the rope causes intense friction around the wood.
- Guadalajera Horn
- The Guadalajara saddle horn is made to give the rider a strong grip and maximum control when roping heavy cattle. It is about 5" wide and sits at a low 3" tall which allows it to hold strong even with intense pressure while reduces pressure on the horse's withers. It's upper lip helps keep the dallies from slipping. Uses: The Guadalajara horn is used for heavy livestock roping on the ranch. Originating from Spanish and Mexican Vaqueros, this short and wide horn is designed for practicality in ranching.
- Wade Saddle Horn
- The Wade horn is large and has a unique shape designed to help the rider get a better grip for roping and dallying cattle. It's found on the Wade saddle and is mounted on a slick fork with a pronounced side cut angle. This helps give you comfort for long hours in the saddle. The Wade saddle horn is a tribute to cowboy and horseman Clifford Wade. Uses: The Wade horn is used for everything from everyday ranching and roping to competition.
- Keetch Horn
- Keetch saddle horns are 2.75" to 3.25" tall and have a 2.75" to 3” cap. This low and wide horn design is made for roping and dallying heavy livestock. The widest part of a Keetch horn is at the front, close to the horse's shoulders, which makes it easier to rope and dally and alleviates some of the pressure on your horse. And the low, wide, and angled design helps you dally down faster.
- Texas Dally Horn
- The Texas Dally horn has a flat pitch and thick neck. It's designed to give the rider more control when dallying and prevent the rope from getting whipped around to the sides. Roping saddles with a Texas Dally will have a wide gullet and sit close to the horse's withers for increased control when dallying. Uses: The Texas Dally horn is used for roping competitions.
- Hamley Horn
- The Hamley horn or #6 has a moderate pitch and small neck. It is made or bronze or iron metal. The Hamley saddle horn is named after the historic Hamley & Co. saddle shop. Uses: The Hamley horn can be used for everyday roping and ranching.
- Cutting Horn
- The Cutting horn, or Cowhorse, is tall, slender, and has an ideal tilt for roping. It helps keep a good solid grip with your elbow in front of your hip while your holding onto the horn during intense roping activities. Uses: The Cutting horn is made for intense roping disciplines, like Cutting and working cow horse.
- Dally or Post Horn
- The Post or Dally horn is tall and vertical with a large cap. A roping saddle with a Post horn has a wide gullet and sits close to the horse's wither. This close contact increases control when roping and dallying. Uses: The Post or Dally horn is made for all types of roping.
- Metal Saddle Horn
- Metal horns are more durable than wood horns and some riders find them easier to handle. But they need more dallies for a secure hold when roping.
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.
- Insulated Saddle Horn Bag
- An insulated saddle horn bag keeps your drinks cold or hot.
- Saddle Horn Cap
- Personalized saddle horn caps are just more fun.
- Saddle Horn Cup Holder
- This is a handmade leather saddle horn cup holder. It will last a lifetime.
- Saddle Horn Bags
- Saddle horn bags are really handy when you want to put your phone, supplies, and other little things in there.
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.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.