There are two basic styles of saddles that are popular in the United States: Sawbuck and Decker. While most people are familiar with the Sawbuck saddle and its classic wooden cross bucks, many people don’t know anything about Decker Pack saddles. So they don’t know why it might be a better saddle for them.
A little story
The Decker Pack Saddle was developed by OP Robinett and manufactured by the Decker Brothers around 1930 in response to Forest Service personnel’s need for a saddle built to carry heavy, bulky loads over long distances. This rugged and versatile saddle became very popular with the Forest Service and packers in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington and remains the cargo saddle of choice in those areas to this day.
Benefits of steel rings
The first thing that differentiates the Decker from the Sawbuck is the steel hoops instead of the wooden cross bucks used on the Sawbuck Pack Saddle. It’s easier to attach the saddlebags to the steel rings, because the saddlebags don’t have to be raised as high to get the straps over the cross braces. With steel rings, all you have to do is fasten the straps through the rings on the same side as the animal you are looking at. Second, Decker hooks can be used to make this even easier. A Decker Hook slides over the saddlebag hanger strap, making easy work of loading panniers by simply lifting them up and securing the hooks into the grommets…no buckles or heavy overhead lifting.
Steel hoops are more convenient for winding and slipping ropes when tying down loads. They also have a lower profile and better design to bring large loads closer to the animal’s body, where they will ride better. This design also makes it easier to pack two mismatched loads into one animal.
the mestizo
The Half-Blood is a cover that goes on top of the Decker Pack Saddle. It is designed to protect the pack animal from the load. The mestizo is traditionally made of canvas and leather, although some today are made of nylon or other materials. The bottom of the mongrel is padded with felt or some other padding material for the comfort of the animal. Two planks of wood meet on the outside of the mestizo over this filled area. These help spread the weight of the load across the entire rib cage, much like the bars of a saddle spread the weight of the load across the back.
This simple addition to the Decker Pack saddle gives it a better overall design for larger, bulkier loads. The packer can easily carry long, cumbersome items such as logs, poles, and tent frames, and the packer can carry them comfortably due to the protection and weight distribution offered by the mongrel. In fact, standard items like saddlebags can be more comfortably carried with a cargo pack with a Decker because the bottom of the saddlebag rests against the cargo boards, keeping them further away from the animal and distributing the weight of the saddlebag. along the rib cage.
best rig
The rigging of a Decker Pack Saddle clips to the tree below the half-breed and can be easily adjusted over a wide range, allowing the position of the webbing to be moved as needed. The rigging on a Sawbuck saddle is bolted (or riveted) to the tree and cannot be easily adjusted.
charging
How would you pack a large, bulky, or awkward load in a Decker Pack saddle? The simple answer is by lashing or loading the cargo. I know that blankets (large pieces of canvas used to wrap loads into easy-to-handle packages), ropes, knots, and snags can intimidate some people. That’s why I’ve designed the Not-A-Knot Packing System, which is knot-free and done in four easy steps. If you would like more information on the Not-A-Knot package system, please visit my site at http://www.outfitterssupply.com/searchprods.asp.
Tying down a load on a Decker is much easier and more efficient than on a Sawbuck for three reasons:
- When you need to tighten the basket hitch on the sling ropes, the rope will slide much easier through the Decker saddle’s smooth steel hoops than it will over the wooden corners on a Sawbuck’s spreaders.
- The load board on the Mongrel Decker distributes the weight of the load across the animal’s ribs and the additional padding further protects the animal from the load.
- The lower profile of the steel hoops allows for better loading in an ‘A’ shape with the tops touching on the animal’s back for safer loading.