Herdsman Saddle

Sizes available: 16″
Approx. Weight: 8-9kg
Purpose: General farm use, roping and leisure.

Dusty Hooves Tack and Saddles

Herdsman Saddle

Sizes Available: 16” seat
Approx. Weight: 8–9kg
Purpose: General Farm Use | Roping | Leisure

Lightweight, Traditional Vaquero-Style Work Saddle

The Herdsman Saddle is a no-nonsense, lightweight saddle built for practical, everyday use on the farm, casual roping, and general leisure riding. Its design is rooted in the Mexican Vaquero (Charro) tradition, offering simplicity, durability, and ease of maintenance.

Basic, Functional Design

This saddle features:

A half seat
3″ stirrup straps without fenders for a lightweight, open feel
An exposed, uncovered tree, staying true to traditional working saddle styles

With minimal bulk and a focus on function, the Herdsman makes saddling quick and light, while still offering a solid, dependable ride for daily tasks.

Versatile and Farm-Ready

Ideal for:

Farm and cattle work
Light roping
Leisure and trail rides

At 8–9kg, it’s easy to carry and handle, making it a favourite for busy stockmen and farm riders who need a practical, fuss-free saddle that gets the job done.

Weight	15 kg
Dimensions	45 × 45 × 45 cm

Brand

Dusty Hooves Tack and Saddles

Franco C saddlery

Franco C saddlery is an international, family owned and run business. Our Factory is based in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We ship our saddle to all corners of the world from our factory just off the N3 highway in Mooi River. We love traveling all over the world to meet clients and ride in order to better understand the needs of our diverse range of clients. We manufacture skirted saddles on our own trees, designed and manufactured in-house. Franco C Saddlery is committed to uphold a high level of service and quality. Our constant interaction with clients, and the different disciplines that we serve, ensure that we keep improving and developing saddle models that meet the needs of our clients. We serve lots of small and large trail companies, stables and clubs in the disciplines of Endurance, Polo Crosse, Western Mounted Games, and Western Riding. We have been the saddle and tack manufacturer for the Mongol Derby since 2012. We do custom work and designs for individual clients, companies and outlets. Feel free to contact us with your specific requirments.

Gullet Size Guide for Horses

tart=”441″ data-end=”456″>Gullet Size	Measurement (inches)	Measurement (cm)	data-start=”507″ data-end=”519″ data-col-size=”md”>Fits
Narrow	5” – 5.5”	12.7cm – 14cm	Fine-boned horses with high, narrow withers (e.g. Thoroughbreds, Arabians)
Medium	6”	15.2cm	Average horses with moderate withers and shoulders (e.g. Warmbloods, Quarter Horses)
Wide	6.5”	16.5cm	Broad horses with wider shoulders and low to medium withers (e.g. stock horses, cobs)
Extra Wide (XW)	7” – 7.5”	17.8cm – 19cm	Very broad horses, often with flat or mutton withers (e.g. draft crosses, heavy Warmbloods)
start=”1288″ data-end=”1310″ data-col-size=”sm”>Draft / XX-Wide	8”+	20cm+	Draft breeds and extra wide-bodied horses (e.g. Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons)

🐎 What the Different Gullet Sizes Are For

Narrow Gullet (5”–5.5”)
For horses with high, narrow withers and slim shoulders. Prevents pinching at the withers and ensures clearance without instability.
Medium Gullet (6”)
The most common size for average-built horses with balanced proportions. Provides even contact and avoids pressure points.
nd=”1846″>Wide Gullet (6.5”)
Ideal for wider horses with broader shoulders and lower withers. Ensures freedom of movement in the shoulder and prevents tightness.
Extra Wide (7”–7.5”)
Suits very broad horses or those with flat, mutton withers. Offers extra shoulder room and distributes weight evenly across the back.

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Draft / XX-Wide (8”+)
Specifically designed for heavy breeds. Provides a stable fit for large horses with wide backs and flat withers.

📌 Quick Tips: How to Check Saddle Gullet Fit

You should be able to fit 2–3 fingers between the saddle pommel and the horse’s withers when the rider is seated.
Check that the saddle doesn’t pinch the shoulders when the horse moves.
Look for even sweat patterns under the saddle after a ride.
The saddle should sit level on the horse’s back, not tip forward or back.

Saddle Seat Size Guide

🔸 English / Endurance / Trail Saddles

Seat Size (inches)	Fits Rider Clothing Size</th>	Best For
15”	Small Adults or Teens	Petite adults, small builds
16”	Medium Adults (Ladies size 8–12 / Men’s 28–32)	Average riders
17”	Medium to Large Adults (Ladies size 12–16 / Men’s 32–36)	Common size for most adult riders
18”	Larger Adults (Ladies 16+ / Men’s 36+)	Taller or broader riders needing more room
19”+	Extra Large Adults / Heavy builds	Extra security and comfort for larger frames

📝 In Endurance and Trail saddles, a 16” seat is typically equivalent to a 15” Western saddle seat in feel.

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🔸 Western Saddles

“1820”>

Seat Size (inches)	Fits Rider Clothing Size</s

trong>Best Fornd=”1364″ data-col-size=”sm”>13”YouthChildren”1408″ data-end=”1494″>14”Small to Petite Adultsd=”1494″>Shorter or smaller builds15”Average Adults (Most Men / Ladies size 8–12)The most common Western saddle size

16”Larger Adults (Men’s 34+ / Ladies 14+)Riders preferring a roomier seat17”+Extra Large or Tall RidersHeavy builds or those who prefer a more open seat

📝 Western saddle seats typically feel one size bigger than an English seat. For example, a 16” Western seat is like a 17” English seat.

📌 How to Choose the Right Seat Size

When seated, you should have about 3–4 fingers of space behind you at the cantle.
Your knees should comfortably rest at the saddle’s knee rolls or fenders without overreaching.
The seat should allow you to maintain a balanced, centered position without feeling cramped or sliding around.
In endurance riding, a slightly roomier seat is often preferred for comfort during long rides.

✅ Quick Conversion: English to Western Seat Size

English Size	Western Size Equivalent
16”	>15”
17”	16”
18”	17”

Standard Horse Saddle Leather Colours

🎨 Standard Horse Saddle Leather Colours at Dusty Hooves

We offer our saddles in a carefully selected range of durable, practical, and classic colours, ideal for both professional and recreational riders in Namibia and South Africa.

d=”541″>Colour Name	Description	Best Uses
Black	Deep, solid black with a formal, timeless appearance. Perfect for show, dressage, and riders who prefer a bold, classic look.	Dressage, show, endurance, and Western saddles
Brown	A rich, traditional riding brown. Durable and versatile, it hides marks well from bushveld or trail use and ages beautifully with time.	Stock, endurance, trail, and work saddles
Tan	Light, warm golden brown. This colour matures to a lovely caramel tone over time and is popular for its clean, natural look.	Trail, endurance, and leisure saddles

📌 Notes for Riders

Black is ideal for formal competition or for those who prefer a sleek, professional saddle that pairs well with modern tack and bridles.
nd=”1564″>
Brown remains the most practical option for everyday riding, especially in trail and endurance riding conditions where dust and scuffs are part of the journey.
ta-end=”1696″>
start=”1567″ data-end=”1574″>Tan is perfect for riders wanting a lighter, classic saddle colour that gains natural character and charm the more it’s used.

data-end=”1864″>All Dusty Hooves Tack and Saddles leather colours are chosen for their durability, ease of care, and ability to withstand Southern African riding conditions.

Options Available

Girth Choices:

Wool Girth: Traditional, breathable, and gentle against your horse’s skin. Ideal for long-distance and endurance riding.
Neoprene Girth: Lightweight, easy to clean, and excellent for wet or muddy conditions. Offers good grip and flexibility.

Fender Options:

Full Leather Fenders: Durable, classic look, and offers a traditional riding feel. Perfect for work, Western, and trail saddles.
Reduced-Weight Fenders: Lighter than full leather, reducing overall saddle weight for endurance and trail riders who need a lighter setup.
25mm Stirrup Straps: Slim, lightweight alternative with either:
- Leather Sleeves for a classic, polished finish
- Wool Socks for added comfort and reduced rubbing
38mm Stirrup Straps: Slim, lightweight alternative with either:
- Leather Sleeves for a classic, polished finish
- Wool Socks for added comfort and reduced rubbing