Page 47 - The Pocket Guide to Equine Knots
P. 47

a staple of packing in America for well over a century, and it’s found in many parts of the
  world. On a riding trek in the mountains of southern Spain I saw packers using sawbuck

  saddles.
     The  sawbuck  is  made  of  two  wooden  “bars,”  shaped  to  fit  the  backs  of  most  animals
  (though these can be custom shaped with a rasp if necessary). These are secured together
  by  two  pairs  of  hardwood  slats,  fastened  where  they  cross  forming  two  Xs.  Normally
  sawbucks  are  “double  rigged,”  having  two  cinches  rather  than  one,  usually  fastened  with

  latigo knots (two facing half hitches), and they’re equipped with a simple breast strap and
  the essential breeching.























                                               Mule with sawbuck packsaddle.


     The sawbuck works well for both the entry-level packer and the seasoned professional.
  The expert usually slings panniers or boxes on each side of the saddle and adds a top pack
  covered  with  a  tarp,  and  finally  secures  everything  with  a  variation  of  the  diamond  hitch
  attached to an extra cinch going under the animal’s belly. Most of the various versions of the
  diamond hitch require a helper and considerable expertise, but they’re worth exploring and

  most easily taught by a mentor who can walk you through the various steps.
     The entry-level packer can acquire a sawbuck and equip it with soft panniers without a
  substantial investment. Simply load the panniers to be equal in weight (within five pounds or

  so of each other), keeping soft items such as sleeping bags and extra clothing next to the
  horse.  Loop  the  straps  over  the  two  Xs  of  the  sawbuck,  fasten  a  strap  underneath,  and
  you’re good to go. Top packs and the knots for securing them can be learned later (or you
  can use the buckle system if your panniers are made for it).



  Decker Saddle
  The Decker saddle was developed in the mining areas of northwest Montana and northern
  Idaho, where awkward pieces of mining equipment and bags of ore had to be packed over

  mountain terrain. It’s a very strong saddle, more likely to survive the fall of a pack horse.
  The  Decker  is  a  bit  more  expensive  and  a  bit  more  versatile  than  the  sawbuck,  but  well
  worth  considering.  Packing  tends  to  be  addictive—you’ll  probably  want  to  expand  your
  knowledge and capabilities.

     Like the sawbuck, the Decker has two wooden bars that lie on each side of the horse’s
  back parallel to the spine. These are fastened with iron D-rings rather than wooden slats
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