Big Horn Saddles: Synthetic, Trail & Barrel Western Saddles

Big Horn is a long-running American saddle brand known for lightweight leather-and-Cordura synthetic saddles built on Steele saddle trees — comfortable, easy-care saddles for trail, barrel and pleasure riding. New Big Horn saddles are hard to find on Amazon, so this independent guide covers how to identify a used or vintage Big Horn saddle and lists the closest Big Horn-style alternatives you can buy today.

What Makes a Big Horn Saddle Different

Leather & Cordura Construction

Padded, Comfortable Seats

Steele Saddle Trees

Easy-Care, Lightweight Design

Big Horn saddles mix leather seats and horns with Cordura skirts and fenders, so they weigh far less than an all-leather saddle and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Most models were built on Steele saddle trees, with padded seats that riders often describe as some of the most comfortable synthetic saddles made. Trail, barrel, roping, gaited and youth Big Horn saddles were all part of the line.

Latest News and Updates

Subscribing to the newsletter keeps readers informed about new collections, promotions, and other important brand events.


Big Horn-Style Western Saddles on Amazon

Genuine Big Horn saddles rarely appear on Amazon, so these are the closest alternatives: synthetic and leather trail saddles, barrel saddles and saddle sets from Tough-1, Wintec, HILASON, Schneiders and Royal Reins — each brand is named on its card.

Tough-1 King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle Package

Tough-1 King Series Synthetic Trail Saddle Package

Tough-1 Eclipse Synthetic Round Skirt Trail Saddle

Tough-1 Eclipse Synthetic Round Skirt Trail Saddle

Tough-1 Royal King Aspen Gaited Trail Saddle

Tough-1 Royal King Aspen Gaited Trail Saddle

Wintec Full Quarter Western Saddle 16"

Wintec Full Quarter Western Saddle 16″

Wintec Western Trail Saddle 17"

Wintec Western Trail Saddle 17″

Schneiders Leather & Cordura Western Trail Saddle II

Schneiders Leather & Cordura Western Trail Saddle II

HILASON Flex Tree Cordura Synthetic Western Saddle

HILASON Flex Tree Cordura Synthetic Western Saddle

HILASON Flex Tree Western Trail Saddle

HILASON Flex Tree Western Trail Saddle

Tough-1 Royal King Hawley Barrel Saddle

Tough-1 Royal King Hawley Barrel Saddle

HILASON Flex Tree Barrel Racing Saddle

HILASON Flex Tree Barrel Racing Saddle

HILASON Brown Barrel & Trail Saddle

HILASON Brown Barrel & Trail Saddle

Royal Reins Tooled Leather Roping Saddle

Royal Reins Tooled Leather Roping Saddle

Barrel, Endurance & Leather Saddle Sets

Tough-1 King Neutron Marathon Endurance Saddle

Tough-1 King Neutron Marathon Endurance Saddle

HILASON Hand-Tooled Treeless Western Saddle

HILASON Hand-Tooled Treeless Western Saddle

AZ Saddles Hand-Tooled Barrel Saddle Set

AZ Saddles Hand-Tooled Barrel Saddle Set

AZ Saddles Leather Western Trail Saddle Set

AZ Saddles Leather Western Trail Saddle Set

Western Saddle Pads, Youth Saddles & Accessories

Weaver Wool Blend Felt Western Saddle Pad

Weaver Wool Blend Felt Western Saddle Pad

Weaver Contoured Single Weave Felt Saddle Pad

Weaver Contoured Single Weave Felt Saddle Pad

Weaver 31" x 32" Contoured Wool Blend Pad

Weaver 31″ x 32″ Contoured Wool Blend Pad

Engel Sheepskin-Lined Western Bareback Pad

Engel Sheepskin-Lined Western Bareback Pad

Harrison Howard Trail Seat Saver

Harrison Howard Trail Seat Saver

Harrison Howard Far Infrared Western Saddle Pad

Harrison Howard Far Infrared Western Saddle Pad

Tough-1 Ride-Behind Tandem Saddle

Tough-1 Ride-Behind Tandem Saddle

Comfytack Youth & Pony Western Saddle 13"

Comfytack Youth & Pony Western Saddle 13″

Buying a Big Horn Saddle: New, Used & Vintage

Whether you are hunting for a used Big Horn saddle for sale or a new saddle with the same feel, these are the points that matter.

Vintage Big Horn Saddle Identification

Older Big Horn saddles carry the brand stamp and a model number. Check that the stamp, hardware and Cordura panels match the original design; replaced fenders or skirts lower the value of a vintage Big Horn saddle.

Checking a Used Big Horn Saddle

Before buying a used Big Horn saddle, flex the tree gently to check for cracks, inspect the rigging dees and latigo, look for worn stitching where the Cordura meets the leather, and make sure the seat padding has not flattened.

Big Horn Synthetic vs Leather Saddles

Big Horn synthetic (Cordura) saddles are lighter and easier to clean; full-leather Big Horn saddles last longer and mold to horse and rider over time. Many riders choose the leather-and-Cordura combination as the best of both.

Big Horn Saddle Pads & Fit

A contoured wool or felt Western pad helps a Big Horn saddle sit level and protects your horse’s back. Match the pad to the skirt size — round-skirt trail saddles need a smaller pad than square-skirt roping saddles.

Big Horn Saddle Reviews

In Big Horn saddle reviews, owners most often mention the comfortable seat, light weight and good value. The usual complaints are worn Cordura on very old saddles and the difficulty of finding new Big Horn stock today.

Big Horn Saddle FAQ

Answers to the questions riders ask most about Big Horn saddles.

Submit a Question


How do I identify a Big Horn saddle?

Look for the Big Horn name stamped into the leather, along with a model number. The mix of leather seat and Cordura skirts and fenders is typical of Big Horn synthetic saddles.

How do I look up a Big Horn saddle serial or model number?

The model number is stamped on the saddle and identifies the style, tree and bar width. Use it to compare with old Big Horn catalogs or ask a tack shop that handles used saddles.

Are Big Horn saddles good?

Riders rate Big Horn saddles highly for comfort and light weight, and the Steele trees hold up well. As with any used saddle, check the tree, rigging and stitching before you buy.

What seat sizes do Big Horn saddles come in?

Most Big Horn saddles came in 14″ to 17″ seats, with youth and pony models smaller. Bar widths include semi-quarter horse, full quarter horse and Arab bars, so match the bars to your horse’s shoulders.

Where can I buy a Big Horn saddle?

New stock is limited, so most riders buy used Big Horn saddles from tack shops, consignment stores, eBay and local listings. For new saddles with similar construction, look at the Tough-1, Wintec, HILASON and Schneiders models above.

How do I care for a leather and Cordura saddle?

Wipe the Cordura with a damp cloth and mild soap, then clean and condition the leather seat and horn with a leather cleaner. Store the saddle on a rack out of direct sun to keep the tree and fenders in shape.

About Big Horn Saddles

Big Horn made its name in the American trail-riding world with synthetic saddles that combined a leather seat, horn and swells with tough Cordura skirts and fenders. The design cut weight roughly in half compared with an all-leather saddle and became popular with trail riders, older horses and riders who wanted an easy-care saddle.

Today many Big Horn saddles are found on the used market, and vintage Big Horn saddles still sell well because of their comfortable seats and durable trees. If you cannot find the exact Big Horn model you want, a modern leather-and-Cordura trail saddle from the alternatives above is the closest match.

Customer Reviews

Customers share their impressions of the products, highlighting comfort, quality, and reliability in various conditions.

This saddle offers great comfort for long hours on the trail. The craftsmanship is impressive, and it feels durable and reliable. It’s been a solid choice for my daily needs.

John Miller

Ranch Owner

I’ve used several saddles, but this one stands out for its solid support and comfort. It’s well-built and delivers a smooth ride, even on tough trails. A dependable option for any rider.

reviews-image-2
Sarah Thompson

Professional Equestrian

Using this saddle for my trail rides has been a fantastic decision. It’s durable and comfortable, making long rides easier. It’s held up well under regular use and fits perfectly.

reviews-image-3
Mark Davis

Trail Guide

Share Your Thoughts

Users can submit their questions or comments through the form below to receive a prompt response or share their impressions.