Cattle roping and other ranch chores required cowboys to have secure yet maneuverable seats. A stock-seat rider sits erect with legs extending almost straight down. Both reins are held in one hand above the high pommel, or saddle horn, of the heavy Western stock saddle. Breeds used include quarter horses, pintos, Appaloosas, and Arabians. Dressage saddles are similar to saddle-seat tack, although with slightly more padding.
Riders wear hunter-seat apparel or, at higher levels, tailcoats and top hats.
Various styles of riding require different techniques on the part of the rider, as well as specialized tack and apparel. Hunter-seat riding takes its name from the sport of fox hunting. Until the end of the 19th century fox hunters leaned backwards when jumping. The introduction of the forward seat, however, shifted the rider's weight to a point over the horse's center of gravity, in front of the saddle, resulting in greater safety and control. In hunter-seat equitation the rider's upper body inclines forward at the trot and canter and especially over fences.