tack up – argentina

In the spotlight

It takes any rider awhile to get acquainted to an Argentinean saddle. Simply described they are a series of sheep or goatskins that act as saddlecloths and the saddle seat (which is super comfortable). There is a wooden tree where the stirrups are attached and the girth is made out of rawhide.

When I first started riding in these saddles I found it quite hard to feel the horses movement with so much padding however I’ve since gotten used to it. The gauchos sit deep within the saddle with their feet dangling in the stirrups as their horses travel at a gait between walking and trotting. Even at a full gallop the gaucho’s remain seated in the saddle.