Top Barrel Saddle Brands for Peak Performance and Style

When it comes to choosing the best barrel saddle, riders seek a combination of comfort, durability, and performance. Numerous top-rated brands have made a name for themselves by expertly crafting saddles that meet these criteria, ensuring a smooth and effective ride for both horse and rider. From custom-fit options to universally praised designs, these brands have established trust within the equestrian community through years of excellence and innovation. To discover which brands stand out in terms of craftsmanship and rider satisfaction, learn more below.

Illustration of barrel saddle

Best brands of barrel saddle in 2025

Circle Y

Circle Y is a renowned brand in the saddle industry, celebrated for its high-quality barrel saddles with a history spanning almost 60 years. Known for their master craftsmanship in Yoakum, TX, Circle Y saddles, including those under the High Horse brand, feature innovative technologies like the Flex2 tree and Ralide trees, ensuring durability and comfort. The High Horse Proven series is particularly popular for barrel riding, offering lightweight and reliable saddles with a 10-year tree warranty. Circle Y's commitment to quality and affordability has made their saddles a favorite among riders, with the global horse saddle market expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.54% from 2022 to 2028. Their saddles are designed to fit a variety of horse breeds, including stocky quarter horses, making them a versatile choice.

Reinsman

Reinsman is renowned as one of the top producers of barrel saddles, catering to professional horsemen with their handcrafted X Series Barrel Saddles. These saddles are designed for optimal performance and comfort, reflecting the brand's commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Reinsman saddles are part of the Circle Y Saddles, Inc. family, which has been a staple in the saddle industry for nearly 60 years. The brand's attention to detail and innovative designs make their saddles highly sought after in the barrel racing community. With a focus on durability and consistency, Reinsman saddles are a favorite among barrel racers. For more details on their offerings, visit the Reinsman saddle collection.

Martin Saddlery

Martin Saddlery is renowned as one of the best producers of barrel saddles, emphasizing quality, precision, and custom craftsmanship. They manufacture their exclusive Axis(r) saddle trees in-house using kiln-dried South Dakota white pine wood, ensuring symmetry and measurable balance for full, even contact with the horse's back. Each saddle is made from the highest quality Hermann Oak leather and can be customized in three rich leather colors with various design options. With a turnaround time of about three months for custom orders, Martin Saddlery offers unparalleled attention to detail, making their saddles a staple for high-end saddle shops and individual riders. Their commitment to tradition and innovation has made them a leader in the industry since their inception. For more details about their custom craftsmanship, visit Martin Saddlery's official website.

Tex Tan

Tex Tan is renowned as one of the top producers of barrel saddles, known for their high-quality craftsmanship and durable materials. The brand, now owned by Action Company, has been a staple in the equestrian world, particularly since its acquisition of several other notable brands like Billy Cook, Abetta, and Simco. Despite a significant fire in 2006 that lost many of their records, Tex Tan saddles continue to be highly sought after for their performance and longevity. Each saddle is meticulously marked with a serial number that includes the model number, production date, and a unique serial number, such as "08TF4012" followed by additional identifiers. This attention to detail and historical significance make Tex Tan saddles highly valued among riders. For more detailed insights into Tex Tan Hereford barrel saddles, visit the forum discussion on saddle information.

Double J Saddlery

Double J Saddlery, established in 1991 in Yoakum, Texas, is renowned for producing high-quality, handmade barrel saddles that combine innovative design with the best raw materials. Their Pro Barrel Racer saddles feature biothane stirrup leathers, aluminum stirrups, and high-density closed cell foam-lined skirts, ensuring strength, flexibility, and a comfortable fit for various horse backs. The saddles are designed with a wide tree to fit stouter barrel horses and include 3-way adjustable rigging for close contact and balance. The company's commitment to quality is reflected in their use of Herman Oak® skirting leather and custom-designed stainless steel hardware. With a strong family legacy and involvement in national-level team roping, barrel racing, and other equestrian disciplines, Double J Saddlery stands out as a trusted brand in the equestrian community.

Billy Cook Saddles

Billy Cook Saddles is renowned for its high-quality craftsmanship and durability, making it one of the best producers of barrel saddles. Founded in 1953 by Billy Cook in Greenville, TX, the company scaled up production to 1,200 saddles a year by the end of the 1950s. Known for their meticulous hand tooling and use of sturdy saddle trees, Billy Cook saddles are a symbol of affordable quality and functionality. The brand continues to maintain its integrity under the supervision of Jody Ramer and Rutilo Osornio, who ensure that every saddle meets the high standards set by Billy Cook before his passing in 2019. The Billy Cook Ranch Saddle, in particular, is praised for its exceptional quality, comfort, and performance, making it a reliable choice for hardworking cowboys and cowgirls. For more details on their storied history and commitment to craftsmanship, visit Genuine Billy Cook's our story page.

Alamo Saddlery

Alamo Saddlery is renowned for its high-quality barrel saddles, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and the finest leather. Their saddles, such as the Geo-Aztec Alamo Air Barrel Saddle, feature advanced materials like wood fiber glass-covered trees and come with locking rider buckles, ensuring both comfort and durability. With a production time of 6-8 weeks, each saddle is handmade to perfection. Alamo Saddlery's commitment to excellence has earned them a loyal customer base, particularly among those participating in equestrian events. The market for such saddlery is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2028, reflecting the increasing demand for high-quality equestrian equipment.

Dale Chavez Saddles

Dale Chavez Saddles is a renowned brand in the western equestrian industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality barrel saddles. With over 45 years of expertise, Dale Chavez has established himself as a leading artisan, producing custom saddles that are highly sought after for their unique designs and superior craftsmanship. His saddles, including the barrel racing saddles, are frequently recognized at national and international horse shows and competitions. The company's commitment to innovation and quality has made it a key player in the global horse saddles market, which is anticipated to grow significantly by 2030. Dale Chavez's products are distributed both nationally and internationally, reflecting their global appeal and excellence. For more details, explore their collection of custom saddles.

Crates Saddlery

Crates Saddlery is renowned for producing high-quality barrel saddles, known for their versatility and comfort. These saddles, manufactured exclusively by Fabtron, Inc., are designed to fit wider-shouldered horses and are popular among riders for their slightly padded seats and lightweight construction, typically weighing around 30 pounds. Crates Saddlery has been a trusted name in the industry, with products that have been favored by riders for their performance in various disciplines, including reining, trail riding, and western dressage. The brand continues to expand its product line, adding new models in barrel, Arabian, gaited, and endurance saddles. With a strong presence in the global market, Crates Saddlery is a key player in the horse saddles industry, which is projected to show substantial growth by 2028.

Courts Saddlery

Court's Saddlery, based in Bryan, TX, is a renowned family-owned business since 1956, known for producing high-quality saddles, including exceptional barrel saddles. Since making their first saddle in 1967, Court's Saddlery has established itself as a trusted name in the industry, catering to riders with precision and craftsmanship. Their saddles are highly regarded for comfort, durability, and performance, making them a favorite among barrel riders. With over five decades of experience, Court's Saddlery continues to innovate and meet the evolving needs of riders. Their commitment to quality has earned them a loyal customer base.