Its great weight--from thirty to forty pounds--was readily excusable when one remembers that it was not only seat but workbench for the cowman.
A light saddle would be torn to pieces at the first rush of a maddened steer, but the sturdy frame of a cow-saddle would throw the heaviest bull on the range.

The high cantle would give a firmness to the cowboy's seat when he snubbed a steer with a sternness sufficient to send it rolling heels over head.

The high pommel, or "horn," steel-forged and covered with cross braids of leather, served as anchor post for this same steer, a turn of the rope about it accomplishing that purpose at once.

The saddle-tree forked low down over the pony's back so that the saddle sat firmly and could not readily be pulled off.

The great broad cinches bound the saddle fast till horse and saddle were practically one fabric.