A roping saddle , which is a Western type of saddle , has a 'slick fork' which facilitates the dismount of the rider ~ see related link below .
To ride a horse, usually with some speed and gusto. Comes from a part of a Western saddle, the fork.
One company was J.H. Wilson who operated a sought after saddle shop in Denver, Colorado from the late 1800's to the early teens of 1900. A top saddle maker, he stamped "Steel Fork" on the jockeys of the saddle.
well you really shouldint put it on the ground... a saddle rack or bar would work better. but if you do so 1. Stand your saddle nose down on the fork. This position puts the weight on the very strong fork and doesn't cause any other parts to be bunched up. 2. Lay your saddle on its side with the fenders and stirrups lying smoothly. Make sure nothing is bunched up under the saddle. 3. Lay your saddle upside down with the weight on the horn and cantle. Fold the fenders and stirrups inward. DO NOT place your saddle down right side up, flat on the ground. This position puts pressure on the tree and fork and almost always bunches up your fenders, stirrups and skirts.
The main parts are: frame fork wheels (handle)bars saddle seat post cranks pedals
Slick?
illustrated , slick , and shiny
grace slick and darrby slick and jerry slick
A roping saddle is a type of western saddle. A good roping saddle is sturdy, has a thicker horn for securing a rope, a low cantle, and a slick fork that allows rider to dismount quickly. A quality roping saddle has a deep seat and horns and trees that are extra strong to take the force of the pull. Generally suede padded seats are preferred to get a better grip. The swells of the saddle are kept reasonably low so that the leverage of the rope on the horn is minimal.
http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/slick
Slick Rick does it to be cool
There are a few things you can do. Check with your local saddle shop as there are saddle pads that are made thicker. You can also double your pads making sure they don't slide around. Your pad may not be forward enough to raise your saddle so that it does't rub. Or the problem may be the saddle. It may be to wide for your horse, therefore it is not sitting on its back correctly. I had two different saddles for this reason. The fork where the horn is attached was higher on one saddle than the other. This gave more room for the withers. If you can check with someone in your area who knows saddles and horses well. Check out some site that offering saddle pad. One of them is http://www.saddleonline.com having many variety of saddle pads.