Cheyenne Roll or Pencil Roll?

831 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by stevenson, 7 mo ago

PinkPrancer

Discussion Starter · 7 mo ago

I'm ordering a new saddle for my horse, and the option of choosing a Cheyenne Roll or a Pencil Roll for the cantle came up. I'll be honest, I never even realized there was a difference, so I'm on research overdrive right now.

My saddle has a deep seat, similar to a barrel saddle, and I really prefer to "sit in a bucket", as I've heard some people describe it 😂 By looks alone, I was initially inclined for the Pencil Roll as it looks like it has a more cupping effect, plus it's aesthetically prettier. However, after asking, I've heard mixed replies on whether or not it actually makes any real difference.

For now I've decided to go with the Cheyenne, but I still have a couple days to change my mind if I want to. I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts on if/how it effects riding and which you prefer. I keep flip-flopping on them, and since this is a big investment I want to be sure I make the right choice.

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My Salty Pony

· #2 · 7 mo ago

They are both great, but for me a Pencil roll has nothing to grab onto while throwing your saddle up on your horse, thats why I like the Cheyenne roll's better for that reason I can pick up the saddle with ease and throw it up on my horses vs a pencil roll having nothing to grab on to carry/hold on to, lol..I like both but I need all the help I can get when I saddle up, lol..

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beau159

· #3 · 7 mo ago

I won a saddle a couple years ago that had a pencil roll. I didn't like it. I could feel the edge of it on the back of my thighs.

Cheyenne roll for me!

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COWCHICK77

· #4 · 7 mo ago (Edited)

I think it depends on the style of saddle on whether I'd prefer a pencil or Cheyenne.
I've had both on a performance saddle even though the Cheyenne seems more prevalent that type of saddle.
My current cutting saddle has a pencil roll and our cowboying saddles have pencil rolls. Never had an issue with them.

If the back of your thighs are getting sore that's from cantle bite. I can't ride I big wide cantle with a bunch of dish set at a poor angle in relation to the seat for that reason.

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stevenson

· #5 · 7 mo ago

Pencil roll will add some height . Cheyenne will help if you ever need to tie something and make it easier to through your leg over as you age. I liked the pencil roll when riding in the mountains. I still was able to tie a saddle bag on.

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COWCHICK77

· #6 · 7 mo ago

stevenson said:
Pencil roll will add some height . Cheyenne will help if you ever need to tie something and make it easier to through your leg over as you age. I liked the pencil roll when riding in the mountains. I still was able to tie a saddle bag on.

No it won't add height. For example, you order a 4" cantle whether it be Cheyenne or pencil that's the top of the cantle.

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JCnGrace

· #7 · 7 mo ago

I prefer a Cheyenne Roll. Mostly because I like a flat seat and that's what they usually come with.

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stevenson

· #8 · 7 mo ago

COWCHICK77 said:
No it won't add height. For example, you order a 4" cantle whether it be Cheyenne or pencil that's the top of the cantle.

A: Besides general style preference, a Cheyenne Roll offers a "lip" off the cantle that is generally used to grip or secure items under. A Pencil Roll is is more of a cupped look and adds an extra 0.5in to the Cantle Height. There is NO cost differenc

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COWCHICK77

· #9 · 7 mo ago

stevenson said:
A: Besides general style preference, a Cheyenne Roll offers a "lip" off the cantle that is generally used to grip or secure items under. A Pencil Roll is is more of a cupped look and adds an extra 0.5in to the Cantle Height. There is NO cost differenc

I know the difference. But a pencil roll does not add height. I'm not sure how you think a cantle is measured, but it's not to the stitching which would give you the extra half inch you say. Cantles are measured on the back of the cantle, skirt to the highest point of the cantle, typically the center obviously.
This is a 5" cantle, I ordered it as a 5", could show you the build sheet. By what you're saying this a 4.5" with a pencil making it a 5".

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stevenson

· #10 · 7 mo ago

COWCHICK77 said:
I know the difference. But a pencil roll does not add height. I'm not sure how you think a cantle is measured, but it's not to the stitching which would give you the extra half inch you say. Cantles are measured on the back of the cantle, skirt to the highest point of the cantle, typically the center obviously.
This is a 5" cantle, I ordered it as a 5", could show you the build sheet. By what you're saying this a 4.5" with a pencil making it a 5".

View attachment 1137733

That is taken from a SADDLE MAKERS page. SO go argue with THEM.

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Knave

· #11 · 7 mo ago

I like the look of a pencil roll better myself. The Cheyenne roll, as far as I can tell, only helps in the idea of saddling. It’s kind of a handhold. Yet, I hold the back of the saddle, so it really is irrelevant to me, and the most people I know sling the saddle, so it is irrelevant to them as well.

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COWCHICK77

· #12 · 7 mo ago (Edited)

stevenson said:
That is taken from a SADDLE MAKERS page. SO go argue with THEM.

Ma'am. Calm your tits. I'll argue with you since there's a difference between ordering a tree and finished measurements on a custom saddle.
Ordering a tree to have your saddle built on is different than customizing a saddle on a standard tree option provided and you get to pick your tooling, cantle, conchos etc. So unless the OP is dropping a few grand on a custom tree to specs, she's most likely looking at finished measurements.
Even at that, I've ordered custom trees- I specified what I wanted them finished at and it's up to the maker to order the tree accordingly.

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stevenson

· #13 · 7 mo ago

COWCHICK77 said:
Ma'am. Calm your tits. I'll argue with you since there's a difference between ordering a tree and finished measurements on a custom saddle.
Ordering a tree to have your saddle built on is different than customizing a saddle on a standard tree option provided and you get to pick your tooling, cantle, conchos etc. So unless the OP is dropping a few grand on a custom tree to specs, she's most likely looking at finished measurements.
Even at that, I've ordered custom trees- I specified what I wanted them finished at and it's up to the maker to order the tree accordingly.

I posted what was listed on a saddle makers page. Done with this convo.

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