One of the most ornate types of antique saddles are usually of Mexican in origin.

One of the most ornate types of antique saddles a saddle collector can put in his collection, are usually of Mexican in origin. The Vaqueros were the first to really decorate their gear in a way that made it stand out. They have been doing this for a couple hundred years. To this day the Spanish/Mexican influence can be found in all American Cowboy gear. After all, that is where it originated.
As most Western Historians know, our entire cowboy culture and western gear in the United States can be traced back to the Vaqueros (Mexican cowboy, often of Mexican Native descent). These pioneers were tending to stock in the Southwestern United States and Mexico before there was such a thing as an American Cowboy.
Typically there are three basic types of Mexican saddles: the Montura, the Charro and Military saddles. You don’t see the military saddles much any more except in museums or old collections. They are what the Spaniards were riding when they came to the New World. There haven’t really been any of these for years, as there is no longer a need.
However the other types of Mexican saddle are still built and in use to this day. And although they are basically the same design and profile, they are different. The Montura is a plainer, more common saddle. Something the everyday working man might ride daily. It is what early American saddle makers started copying and adapting. It is the grandfather of the Western stock saddle.
Then over the years, the Montura became a platform for leather and silver artist to show off their talents. The California style gear is a great example of this. The Vaqueros working on the West Coast were getting pretty fancy with their gear by the time the Americans came to their region in the mid-1800s. To this day, they have their own recognized style which tends to be pretty fancy with silver embellishments. This style, like the Texas and others, can be traced directly back to the Vaquero.
A Charro saddle on the other hand is purely Mexican - and it’s fancy. It is a bit of a later invention which started in the Jalisco and surrounding regions where the Charro culture is prevalent. These saddles have intricate piteado work, often highlighted with silver or gold accents. They are works of art, now mostly ridden for show or events. Piteado is a technique whereby pita fiber (thread made from the fiber of the maguey or century plant) is embroidered in decorative patterns onto saddles and other leather goods. It requires great skill and hours of time to do one simple design. It is the whitish colored designs you see on Mexican leather goods. Also, Mexican silversmiths are known to be among the best in the world and a fancy Charro saddle is often covered with silver (or even gold) work as well. Once you see a fancy Charro saddle, you will not forget the style anytime soon.
Today, there are many great silver and leather workers out there creating works of art which will be collected for years to come. But 100 plus years ago, most cowboy gear makers were making pieces meant for the working cowboy, so they were built to last, not so much for show. However, there was one class of makers who tended to build things a bit fancier - with a little “bling” on them - and that was the guys making gear either down in Mexico, or here, for the Vaqueros. And this is why you will see many of the more ornate antique saddles are often Mexican in origin.
Jim Olson © 2022
WesternTradingPost.com
VP of the National Bit, Spur & Saddle Collectors Association

[@baywood213]

Thank you for paying your respects to Mexican culture and the influence on cowboy culture.

[@stevenlowe3245]

My Mother's best friend married a Mexican saddle maker and the guy, Uncle Jim, was an artist. He made saddles for celebrities, Mexican politicians and rich ranchers. They were amazing. I used to sit and watch him work by the hour and get his advice on everything.

[@gabrielavelar3908]

Mexican sadle the perfect sadle

[@marksanders2168]

The very word "cowboy" is a translation from the Spanish word "vaquero".

[@lillybell6024]

Beautiful saddle. My best riding saddle is a Mexican saddle. Great info. Thank you for sharing 😊

[@bajadan2769]

A work of art beautiful !

[@ernele8157]

Beautiful indeed.. hard to make that nowadays..

[@BrandonPerez-ob7hs]

I wouldn’t say Americans created there “own” version it’s the same saddle and it’s still a Mexican Montura anything with a horn and that style is still Mexican even the modern saddles, besides cowboy culture is Mexican not “country”

[@seguridadevertson1585]

Excelent explanation friend, grettings from Venezuela

[@bitsnspurs]

Thank you! What great information!

[@cpalestina]

I loved.

[@pasofino9583]

Jalisco best for piteado

[@missourimongoose8858]

My great grandpa traded his american style saddle for a mexican one with the bigger horn simply because it was easier to roll his own cigs on that bigger horn lol we still have it with his sterling silver match case lol

[@tonyt7372]

Great video. Very informative. Could you please get a stereo mic for your next review.

[@Victor-Vargas]

It's not that big of a deal dude

[@karenandliam]

I have a saddle which I purchases from my friend's shop in SK Canada. It was on consignment from a fella that had bought a 1963 caddy convertible in Ohio and when he got it home this saddle was in the trunk. It is covered in silver and is a roping style but my mom says in 1963 there were not a lot of Caddy convertibles (AKA JFK) and she thinks it might be a parade saddle. It has no markings...no stamps. It looks homemade by the tooling - in that looks artisan done not machine done but it is stunning and incredibly heavy. I am wondering if I sent you pictures .... would you be willing to take a look and see if you have some insight. It also has very long ornate tapaderos.

[@nationalbitspursaddlecollector]

Please text pictures along with your name and contact info to 520-705-9666

[@urielgiyen8653]

I would be interested if it’s still for sale

[@andreatravogul7442]

Yes. Sr. You right. About the. Mexican. Vaqueros. Special. In. All texas. Thanks. For. Be. Clear

[@galerae947]

Had a Mexican made side saddle. The seat was built up with cardboard, so some are just junk.

[@vaquero7x]

Like anything else, you can not generalize

[@galerae947]

@@vaquero7x that is why I said "some" are junk. But, too many USA made saddles are junk too.

[@darlenemckay265]

They are beautiful,but probably not comfortable for horse or rider! Many are very heavy saddles!

[@vaquero7x]

It's like anything else. If they are well made, they are excellent for both horses and rider.

[@warrior8783]

Of course… it was done for a President so probably a “parade” style saddle. You don’t take a Bentley 4 wheeling.. 🤔

[@missourimongoose8858]

Cowboys spent more time in the saddle than anyone so saying there saddles weren't comfortable is kinda retarded