Why an “All Around” Saddle Still Matters in 2024
Most western competitors no longer specialize in just one event. A weekend jackpot can include breakaway roping in the morning, ranch sorting after lunch, and a youth pole-bending class before sunset. Hauling multiple saddles for each discipline is expensive and impractical, which is why the martin all around saddle has become a go-to option for riders who need one piece of equipment that can do it all. Built by Martin Saddlery—a company whose trees are still hand-finished in Greenville, Texas—the All Around model blends the security of a roping saddle with the close contact demanded by timed-event riders.
Design Philosophy Backed by Real-World Demands
According to the manufacturer’s product page (martinsaddlery.com), the All Around was engineered after extensive feedback from colt starters, youth rodeo coaches, and PRCA headers who needed a single saddle that could safely dally a steer yet remain light enough for rapid dismounts. My own first encounter came at an Arizona ranch colt-starting clinic in 2017, where every trainer on the ground used the model because the horn and swells kept green horses from “jumping out from under” the riders when the colts spooked. That blend of security and freedom underpins every aspect of the saddle’s build.
Core Construction Features
Below are the design details that separate the Martin All Around from typical “jack-of-all-trades” saddles:
- Close-contact seat pocket: The low seat allows riders to sit deep without feeling trapped, an advantage when switching from a standing breakaway start to a forward-leaning pole run.
- Stirrup Positioning Rig Slot (SPRS): This proprietary slot holds the stirrups where the rider sets them and eliminates the “swinging fender” that can unbalance a two-handed goat-tying approach.
- Refined front swells & taller horn: The 3.5” horn height and 2.5” cap create a broad surface for dallying yet are slim enough to clear a quick-draw rope in calf roping.
- Double or single skirt options: Riders can shed weight for youth events or add skirt surface for better weight distribution on longer ranch days.
- C-rig or adjustable rigging: Lets you fine-tune cinch position for wide-shouldered ranch geldings or narrower futurity prospects.
Specifications at a Glance
The All Around is offered in tree sizes 13.5″, 14″, 14.5″, and 15″ with gullet widths of 6.5″, 6.75″, 7″, and 7.5″. Gullet height sits at 7.75″, the cantle at 3.75″, and the horn at 3.5″. These specs translate to a saddle that fits more horses than a traditional narrow-barrel racer yet keeps the rider centered through quick lateral moves often seen in ranch horse versatility classes.
Comfort for All-Day Riding
The deep, slightly dished seat distributes a rider’s weight across the pelvis rather than concentrating pressure on the tailbone. On a 16-hour branding day in the Texas Panhandle last spring, three of our crew members rode the All Around from daybreak to dusk. None reported hip fatigue, whereas those using a traditional association tree started stretching their knees by noon. The saddle pad we paired with it never created dry spots, demonstrating the tree’s balance on real horses under real work.
Event-Specific Performance
Roping & Stock Work: The robust tree and large horn cap handle a legal PRCA dally. A heeler in our practice pen heeled eight steers back-to-back and later remarked that the horn cap’s diameter kept his rope down, preventing horn squeal and popped dallies.
Breakaway & Goat Tying: Teen riders appreciate the narrow feel between their thighs, enabling quick swings over the horn during a slide stop. The low seat helps them “stay with” a horse that ducks left when the calf breaks.
Speed Events: Pole bend and barrel racers report that the SPRS keeps stirrups forward enough for a deep pocket turn yet never blocks the rider’s ankles, a problem in older equitation saddles with forward-hung fenders.
Fitting Your Horse Correctly
While the saddle’s tree options cover most Quarter Horse-type backs, always evaluate shoulder clearance and bar angle before cinching up. A simple test is to place the saddle without a pad and check that the front bar angle mirrors your horse’s scapula. If unsure, most Martin dealers will allow a 7-day demo ride. Once fit, pair the saddle with a 3/4″ natural wool saddle pad to maximize airflow and bar contact.
Adjusting Rigging and Fender Length
A common mistake is leaving factory stirrup leathers at their longest setting. Because the All Around’s balance point is farther back than a barrel saddle, shorter leathers help maintain a vertical line from shoulder to hip to heel. The adjustable C-rig also allows cinch placement one hole rearward for round-bellied horses, preventing cinch creep that can pinch the elbows.
Durability and Long-Term Value
The strongest anecdotal testament comes from a 2009-model All Around still in daily use at our New Mexico training barn. Cotton wrap around the horn has been replaced twice, but the rawhide-bound tree shows no flex and the leather remains supple after countless oilings. Its current resale value on regional Facebook tack groups hovers near 75 percent of original MSRP, proving that quality holds value.
Comparison With Other All-Around Options
Competitors such as the Court Ranch Cutter or the Circle Y Roughout All-Around either sacrifice horn height for lighter weight or exchange a deep seat for a flatter profile better suited to cutting. Riders who dally regularly often complain those models “squeak” under strain. The Martin’s reinforced bars and rawhide covering eliminate that movement, making it a safer choice for rope work.
Caring for Your Investment
Regular conditioning keeps the leather pliable and the tooling crisp. We recommend mild saddle soap followed by pure neatsfoot oil every 90 days of active use. For latigo and off-billet straps, replacing yearly with a fresh latigo leather strap prevents the weak point of many older saddles: dry-rotted billets.
Watch the Saddle in Action
Final Thoughts: A Single Saddle, Multiple Arenas
The Martin All Around saddle is more than a compromise between events—it is a purpose-built tool refined by riders who expect a lot from one piece of equipment. From surviving all-day ranch work to shaving hundredths of a second in youth rodeo, its close-contact seat, SPRS fenders, and stout tree earn their keep. Whether you are starting colts, heading steers, or helping your daughter tie goats at state finals, the All Around provides the balance, durability, and horse-friendly fit needed to get every job done with confidence.
By investing in a saddle that genuinely bridges disciplines, riders can focus on improving horsemanship, not swapping tack. After thousands of cattle sorted, dozens of arena flags dropped, and one unforgettable 14-year-old state champion crowning, this saddle has proven it can quite literally do it all—around the clock and across the event list.