What's the difference in triangle and pencil knee blocks on a saddle?

Question

I've heard of both, but I don't know what they are. Is it just the shape of the knee roll? What does each one look like?

Answer 1

Pencil knee roll: http://www.tack-wholesale.com/Saddle_GP_...

Couldn;t find a triangle pic, but it's basically a "triangle-ish" shaped roll. It gives more of a gradual lift to the front of the saddle, where the pencil just blocks your knee, not really a gradual incline. It's hard to explain, I wish I could find a pic. If I find one I'll get back here.

Answer 2

I can't tell you for absolute sure, but on an English saddle I would assume that a pencil knee roll is the thin type that is placed just in front of the billits under the flap and is pretty much vertical. A triangle knee roll would be like two pencil rolls, but joined at an angle to eachother like one corner of a triangle. I googled the different types, and some pictures of western saddles came up as well, so there may be 'pencil' and 'triangle' rolls in a western as well, although I've never heard/seen anything like that. If you're really curious, e-mail or visit some tack shops and ask them the same question. I'm going to a tack store on Friday to get a bridle for my new horse, and I'm going to ask them the same thing!