THE ATTAKAPAS SADDLE

The Attakapas saddle originated in the large ranching region of southwest Louisiana known as the Attakapas. The saddle was often called by various derivatives of the Attakapas name including “Tuckapaw” or “Tacky” saddle. The influences of the pattern descended primarily from the Spanish then Mexican “Jineta” riding saddle that had evolved from ancient Moorish and Turkish jineta saddles. The American Attakapas pattern is quite unique even in America in that it developed an identity all its own in the Creole cattle working culture. As a utilitarian pattern, it may have begun evolving in that cattle-producing region as early as the mid-18^th century. By the 1830’s it had become a very well known saddletree pattern alongside the Spanish saddle and quite popular well beyond Louisiana. Due to its early origins and then the purchase of Louisiana from the French in 1803 the Attakapas can justifiably be claimed as America’s first cattle working saddle.

Like its “Jineta” ancestors it was a riding saddle however, in America it developed as a drover’s saddle but not generally for roping. Variations most certainly existed but it’s primary distinction from other horned saddles of the era is a lack of front bar extensions and a slender pommel with a very high, often forward projecting horn. The most noticeable feature is that the horn often extends several inches above the height of the cantle as opposed to the shorter, flat and more utilitarian horn of the Spanish or Texas saddles. The physics of this tree obviate its unsuitability for roping.

From about 1846 through the Civil War the Attakapas was the U.S. Army’s primary mule-riding wagon saddle although likely a bit different from that commonly found in southwest Louisiana. The army’s tree was finished according to the following Quarter Master requirements:

“One Saddle, made on the Attakapas tree, head, gullet and cantle, ironed, covered in the usual way with half tanned horse hide; flaps 20 inches long, 16 inches wide; surcingle 7 feet 3 inches long, 2 1/4 inches wide, with a 2 inch buckle on one end, the other tapered 20 inches from the end to 2 inches wide; to be fastened to the saddle by being riveted to two curved straps 1 1/4 inch wide; these straps are placed one on each side of the saddle tree, one end is tied to the front part of the bar, the other end to the extension of the bar behind the cantle, Spanish saddle fashion; stirrup leathers 4 feet 7 inches long, 1 1/4 inch wide, with 1 1/4 inch buckle; stirrups, malleable iron, tinned, bolt eye pattern to weigh 13 1/2 lbs. to a dozen pair.”¹ (See page 40 for a larger illustration of this saddle)

 

Circumstantial evidence suggests production of the Attakapas pattern wagon saddles were limited during the Civil War being supplanted by the McClellan. Officially, the Attakapas wagon saddle remained in use by the army until 1875 when a new Wagon Harness Teamster’s Saddle was adopted that blended similarities of the Morgan, Texas and even the Charro saddle.

By the end of the Civil War the more universally accepted term “Texas” saddle was being applied to nearly all horned saddle trees to the extent that patterns like the Attakapas were fading in recognition. Within a few decades their distinctions were lost. By the early 20^th century the Attakapas was largely forgotten even in the region of its own original culture.

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