Have you ever wondered what a saddle horn is used for?

[Xipe Totec]

Hint: It's not used to hold on to when you're about to fall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AETqFBPkTW4

It actually has a purpose.

[Orsino]

1. I couldn't give less of a fuck about the rodeo, but that was beautiful.

Thank you.

[Xipe Totec]

8. You're welcome!

I love that video too; one of my favorites (literally) :hi:

[petronius]

2. I always thought it was for crunching the 'nads of tinhornswho try to mount too quickly

:)

(Actually, I do know what it's for - a lifetime of cowboy movies has to provide some sort of education...)

[Orrex]

3. That's the first YouTube video I've ever seen longer than 3 minutes that was actually worth watching

Very cool.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. That is one really beautiful video, my dear Xipe Totec...

I thought 9 minutes would be too long, but it sure wasn't.

The saddle horn is to wrap the lariat around, isn't it?

:hi:

[Xipe Totec]

9. Yes, it is beautiful

And the saddle horn is to wrap and hold one end of the lariat, so the animal you're roping won't pull you off the horse.

:hi:

Incidentally, lariat comes from the Spanish words 'la reata' which means 'the rope'. Reata itself derives from the Spanish verb 'ata' which means to tie.

[TorchTheWitch]

5. It's to hang your rope on

One end is the larate and the other end is tied to the horn to use the horse's strength and weight to stop whatever you're catching. Also useful to tie any game birds to or various other things found/hunted you want to take along.

How is this something that people wouldn't know?

[Orrex]

6. Yeah, that info really comes in handy when we're all riding to work on horseback

Nothing says "modern convenience" like trotting along I-79 on your appaloosa.

[TorchTheWitch]

11. what kid grows up not knowing about cowboys?

[Orrex]

12. That's a funny one.

[gratuitous]

7. It's for when the horse in front of you won't get out of the way

Buncha tenderfoots* have to watch a "movie" to figure that out! Honestly.

*And no, it's not tenderfeet any more than the Brethren practice feet washing.

[Gabi Hayes]

13. Wilburrrrr....THAT was funny!!

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. No, but I know why English saddles are quieter...

It's because they DON'T have horns.