A saddle is a seat for a rider fastened to an animal's back. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures. Binomial name Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758 The horse (Equus caballus, sometimes seen as a subspecies of the Wild Horse, Equus ferus caballus) is a large odd-toed ungulate mammal, one of ten modern species of the genus Equus. ... Species Camelus bactrianus Camelus dromedarius Camels are even-toed ungulates in the genus Camelus. ...

Types of modern equestrian saddle

In the Western world there are two basic types of saddles used today for horseback riding, usually called the "English" saddle and the "Western" or "Stock" Saddle. In Asia there are numerous saddles of unique designs used by various nationalities and ethnic groups. The term Western World or the West can have multiple meanings depending on its context. ...

English saddle

Main article: English saddle

English saddles are used for English riding throughout the world, not just in England or English-speaking countries. They are the saddles used in all of the Olympic equestrian disciplines. To non-horsemen, the major distinguishing feature of an English saddle is its lack of a horn and its panels: a pair of pads attached to the underside of the seat and filled with wool, foam, or air. The saddles known as English saddles (as opposed to Western saddles) are used throughout the world, not just in England or English-speaking countries. ... The saddles known as English saddles (as opposed to Western saddles) are used throughout the world, not just in England or English-speaking countries. ... English riding is a term used in the United States to describe a form of horseback riding that is seen throughout the world. ... Equestrianism made its Summer Olympics debut at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. ...

The term English saddle encompasses several different styles of saddle, including those used for eventing, show jumping and hunt seat, dressage, saddle seat, horse racing and polo. Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show-jumping. ... Show jumping is a form of competition in which horses are jumped over a course of fences, low walls, and other obstacles (e. ... Hunt seat refers to a style of English-type riding commonly found at American horse shows. ... An upper-level dressage competitor performing an extended trot Dressage (a French term meaning training) is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics. ... Saddle seat is a form of riding that is found in the United States, and to a lesser extent in Canada, Europe, Africa and Australia. ... Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ... A game of polo underway. ...

Stock saddles

Main article: Western saddle

Main article: Australian Stock Saddle

Western saddles are saddles originally designed to be used on horses on working cattle ranches in the United States. Used today in a wide variety of western riding activities, they are the "cowboy saddles" familiar to movie viewers, rodeo fans, and those who have gone on tourist trail rides. The Western saddle has no padding of its own, and must be used with a saddle blanket or pad in order to provide a comfortable fit for the horse. It also has sturdier stirrups and uses a cinch rather than a girth. Its most distinctive feature is the horn on the front of the saddle, originally used to dally a lariat when roping cattle. A Western Saddle Western Saddles are saddles used in — or based on the ones used in — cattle ranching in the United States. ... The Australian Stock Saddle sometimes called a Poley, is a saddle now in popular use all over the world for activities that require long hours in the saddle and a secure seat. ... A Western Saddle Western Saddles are saddles used in — or based on the ones used in — cattle ranching in the United States. ... Binomial name Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 Cattle (often called cows in vernacular and contemporary usage, or kye as the Scots plural of cou) are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Ranching. ... Western riding is shown in this sculpture, Great Western Tradition, by Doug Israelsen Western riding evolved from the cattle-working and warfare traditions brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors, and both equipment and riding style evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboy in the American West. ... A saddle blanket is the woven blanket, usually made of wool, which is folded and inserted under the Western Saddle in order to absorb sweat, cushion the saddle, and help it conform to the horses back. ... Haniwa horse statuette, complete with saddle and stirrups, 6th century, Kofun period, Japan. ... Cinch has multiple meanings: A cinch is a wide strap that attaches a saddle to a horse. ... A girth is a piece of equipment for riding a horse, used to keep the saddle in place. ... Horn may refer to: horn (anatomy), a hollow, pointed projection of the skin of various animals Horn, Austria horn (diacritic), a diacritic mark used to indicate that a normally rounded vowel such as o or u is to be pronounced unrounded horn (instrument) horn, a slang term for any wind... A lasso is a loop of rope that is designed to be thrown around a target and tighten when pulled. ...

Other nations such as Australia and Argentina have stock saddles that lack a horn but have other features commonly seen in a western saddle, including a deep seat, high cantle, and heavier leather. Apparently, if you ride a horse with an english saddle, you are riding seated with both legs on one side of the horse. This sounds crazy, i know, but its a fact.

Asian saddle

Saddles in Asia date back several thousand years to the time of the Scythians. Modern Asian saddles can be divided into two groups: Saddles from Central Asia, which have a prominent horn and leather covering, and saddles from East Asia, which have a high pommel and cantle. Central Asian saddles are noted for their wide seats and high horns. The saddle has a base of wood with a thin leather covering that frequently has a lacquer finish. Central Asian saddles have no pad and must be ridden with a saddle blanket. The horn comes in particular good use during the rough horseback sport of ‘‘buskashi (see Pashtun culture), played throughout Central Asia, which involves two teams of riders wrestling over a decapitated goat’s carcass. Scythian warriors, drawn after figures on an electrum cup from the KulOba kurgan burial near Kerch. ... Map of Central Asia showing three sets of possible boundaries for the region Central Asia located as a region of the world Central Asia is a vast landlocked region of Asia. ... In a general sense, lacquer is a clear or coloured coating, that dries by solvent evaporation only and that produces a hard, durable finish that can be polished to a very high gloss, and gives the illusion of depth. ... Pashtun culture is varied and is heavily influenced by that of Central Asia and other Afghan peoples. ... Cover of album The Negation Decapitated are a critically and popularly acclaimed death metal band from Poland; their style places them towards the more extreme and technical side of that genre. ...

Saddles from East Asia differ from Central Asian saddles by their high pommel and cantle and lack of a horn. East Asian saddles can be divided into several types that are associated with certain nationalities and ethnic groups. Saddles used by the Han Chinese are noted by their use of inlay work for ornamentation. Japanese saddles frequently are covered in a thick lacquer finish. Tibetan saddles typically employ iron covers inlaid with precious metals on the pommel and cantle and universally come with padding. Mongolian saddles are similar to the Tibetan style except that they are typically smaller and the seat has a high ridge. Saddles from ethnic minority groups in China’s southwest, such as in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, have colorful lacquer work over a leather covering. Han Chinese (Simplified Chinese: 汉族; Traditional Chinese: 漢族; Pinyin: hànzú) is a term which refers to the majority ethnic group within China and the largest single human ethnic group in the world. ... Tibet (older spelling Thibet; Tibetan: བོད་; Wylie: Bod; Lhasa dialect IPA: [; Simplified and Traditional Chinese: 西藏, Hanyu Pinyin: XÄ«zàng; also referred to as 藏区 (Simplified Chinese), 藏區 (Traditional Chinese), ZàngqÅ« (Hanyu Pinyin), having the two names different connotations; see Name section below) is a plateau region in Central Asia and the...   (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: SzÅ­4-chuan1; Postal map spelling: Szechwan and Szechuan) is a province in the central-western China with its capital at Chengdu. ...   (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; literally south of the clouds) is a province of the Peoples Republic of China, located in the far southwestern corner of the country. ...

Other

A McClellan cavalry saddle, used by the United States Army in the late 1800s

• Sidesaddle, designed originally as a woman's saddle that allowed a rider in a skirt to stay on and control a horse. Sidesaddle riding is still seen today in horse shows, parades and other exhibitions.
• Treeless saddle or Flexible tree saddle, available in both Western and English designs, but not built upon a solid saddle tree, intended to be flexible and comfortable on a variety of horses, but also not always able to provide the weight support that a solid tree can.
• Military or Police saddle, similar to an English saddle in general design, but with a tree that provides greater security to the rider and distributes a rider's weight over a greater area so that the horse is comfortable with a rider on its back for long hours.
• McClellan Cavalry saddle, a specific American cavalry model used in the post-Civil War era by the United States Army, particularly in the American west. It was designed with an English-type tree, but with a higher pommel and cantle. Also, the area upon which the rider sits was divided into two sections with a gap between the two panels.
• Pack saddle, similar to a cavalry saddle in the simplicity of its construction, but intended solely for the support of heavy bags or other objects being carried by the horse.
• Bareback pad, usually a simple pad in the shape of a saddle pad, made of cordura nylon or leather, padded with fleece, wool or synthetic foam, equipped with a girth. It is used as an alternative to bareback riding to provide padding for both horse and rider and to help keep the rider's clothing a bit cleaner. Depending on materials, bareback pads offer a bit more grip to the rider's seat and legs. However, though some bareback pads come with handles and even stirrups, without being attached to a saddle tree, these appendages are actually unsafe and pads with them should be avoided.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 672 KB) The McCellan Saddle was a riding saddle designed by George B. McClellan, a career Army officer in the U.S. Army, and adopted by the Army in 1859. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 672 KB) The McCellan Saddle was a riding saddle designed by George B. McClellan, a career Army officer in the U.S. Army, and adopted by the Army in 1859. ... Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat are commonly known as cavalry (from French cavalerie). ... Two ladies riding sidesaddles. ... A horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. ... Mounted police are police who patrol on horseback. ... Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat are commonly known as cavalry (from French cavalerie). ... A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight against each other for the control of political power. ... It has been suggested that United States Army values be merged into this article or section. ... A pack saddle is any device designed to be secured on the back of a horse, mule, or other draft animal for the purpose of making it possible for the draft animal to support and transport heavy loads such as luggage, firewood, small cannons or other weapons too heavy to...

Parts of an equestrian saddle

• Tree: the base on which the rest of the saddle is built. Usually based on wood or a similar synthetic material, It is eventually covered in leather or a leatherlike synthetic. The tree size determines its fit on the horse's back as well as the size of the seat for the rider.
• Seat: the part of the saddle where the rider sits, it is usually lower than the pommel and cantle to provide security
• 'Pommel or Pomnel (English)/ Swell (Western): the front, slightly raised area of the saddle.
• Cantle: the back of the saddle
• Stirrup: part of the saddle in which the rider's feet go, provides support and leverage to the rider.
• Leathers (English) or Fenders (Western): The leather straps connecting the stirrups to the saddle tree.
• D-ring: a "D"-shaped ring on the front of a saddle, to which certain pieces of equipment (such as breastplates) can be attached.

Haniwa horse statuette, complete with saddle and stirrups, 6th century, Kofun period, Japan. ... A breastplate (used interchangeably with breastgirth and breastcollar) is a piece of riding equipment used on horses. ...

History and development

Early Civilization

Sarmatian horseman, using a saddle, brestplate, and girth.

There is evidence that man first began riding the horse as early as 4,000 BCE.^[1]. However, it was not until 700-800 BCE that the predecessor to the modern saddle evolved, thought to have been developed by the Assyrians, and consisting of a simple cloth fastened onto the horse with a girth. The Scythians also developed a saddle around the same, which included padding and great decorative embellishments, which was made not so much for support but simply for comfort. The Romans had a "four-horn saddle," with one in each corner, which provided great support for the rider despite a lack of stirrups. Image File history File links // Описание/Description ru Плита с изображением всадника (II век н. э.) Мрамор 40х35 см. Танаис. На всаднике, изображённом на плите, одежда сарматского дружинника-воина: длинный чешуйчатый панцирь, широкий пояс, развевающейся плащ, сколотый на плече фибулой, шаровары, заправленные в высокие мягкие сапожки, конусовидной формы шлем. В руках он держит длинное копьё. Всадник - историческое лицо, наместник боспорского царя в Танаисе Трифон, о чём говорит посвятительная греческая надпись на плите. en Marble block with the image of a horseman (2nd century A.D.) Marble 40х35 cm, from the ancient city of Tanais on the Don. ... Image File history File links // Описание/Description ru Плита с изображением всадника (II век н. э.) Мрамор 40х35 см. Танаис. На всаднике, изображённом на плите, одежда сарматского дружинника-воина: длинный чешуйчатый панцирь, широкий пояс, развевающейся плащ, сколотый на плече фибулой, шаровары, заправленные в высокие мягкие сапожки, конусовидной формы шлем. В руках он держит длинное копьё. Всадник - историческое лицо, наместник боспорского царя в Танаисе Трифон, о чём говорит посвятительная греческая надпись на плите. en Marble block with the image of a horseman (2nd century A.D.) Marble 40х35 cm, from the ancient city of Tanais on the Don. ... It has been suggested that Assyrian people be merged into this article or section. ... Scythian warriors, drawn after figures on an electrum cup from the KulOba kurgan burial near Kerch. ... This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ...

Later developments in Asia resulted in a saddle made of felt, built on a wooden frame, making it the first saddle with a "tree." This raised the rider above the horse's back, and distributed his weight on either side of the animal's spine rather than on it, greatly increasing the comfort of the horse and prolonging his useful life.

The Sarmatians also used saddles, with the addition of a breastplate and a girth to help keep the saddle on. Sarmatia and Scythia in 100 BC, also shown is the extent of the Parthian Empire. ... A breastplate (used interchangeably with breastgirth and breastcollar) is a piece of riding equipment used on horses. ... A girth is a piece of equipment for riding a horse, used to keep the saddle in place. ...

The stirrup was one of the milestones in saddle development, and its origin is debated. The first stirrup-like object was invented in India in the second century BCE, and consisted of a simple leather strap in which the rider's foot was placed. It offered very little support, however. The nomadic tribes in northern China are thought to have been the inventors of the modern stirrup. This invention gave great support for the rider, and was essential in later warfare. Haniwa horse statuette, complete with saddle and stirrups, 6th century, Kofun period, Japan. ...

The Middle Ages

A saddle commonly seen in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Saddles were greatly improved upon during the Middle Ages, as knights needed something more supportive and stronger, and the resulting saddle had a higher cantle (to prevent the rider from being unseated backwards by a lance), a pommel (to protect the rider's stomach from the opposer's lance) and was built on a wooden frame. This saddle was slowly developed to be lighter in weight, being padded with wool or horsehair and covered in leather or textiles, and was eventually used for cattle work, bullfighting, and war. Indeed, it can still be seen in parts of Iberia and eastern Europe, and is also used by the Spanish Riding School. Image File history File linksMetadata Siodla_17_wiek_caly_garnitur3. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Siodla_17_wiek_caly_garnitur3. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... The term lance has become a catchall for a variety of different pole weapons based on the spear. ... A Lipizzan horse in the Winter Riding School The Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, is a traditional riding school for Lipizzan horses. ...

By the 17th century, these saddle was being used for Haute Ecole riding, which was practiced mainly by royalty, aristocracy, the gentry, and wealthy merchants. To show off their status, embellishments were added to their saddles, including precious metals, jewels, and embroidery.

The development of the modern saddle

The English hunting saddle.

This saddle eventually branched off into what is now the modern English and Western saddles. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The saddles known as English saddles (as opposed to Western saddles) are used throughout the world, not just in England or English-speaking countries. ... A Western Saddle Western Saddles are saddles used in — or based on the ones used in — cattle ranching in the United States. ...

In the 18th century, fox hunting became increasingly popular in England. The high-cantle, high-pommel design of earlier saddles was a great hindrance and very uncomfortable for riders as they jumped, so the English hunting saddle was developed. Having a low pommel and cantle, and no padding, it offered little support for the rider, but did allow them to easily ride cross-country. This saddle developed into the various English saddles. A fox hunt Fox hunting is a form of hunting for foxes using a pack of scent hounds. ... The saddles known as English saddles (as opposed to Western saddles) are used throughout the world, not just in England or English-speaking countries. ...

The modern Western saddle evolved from the Iberian saddles, which were brought along by the Spanish when they colonized the Americas. These saddles were later changed to suit the needs of vaqueros in Mexico, including the addition of a horn to which livestock could be tied. A Western Saddle Western Saddles are saddles used in — or based on the ones used in — cattle ranching in the United States. ... American cowboy circa 1887 A cowhand tends livestock, especially cattle. ...

The McClellan saddle was designed in the 1850s by George B. McClellan for use by the United States Cavalry and the rest of the United States Army, and was used continuously, with some improvements, until the 1940s. Today, the McClellan saddle continues to be used by ceremonial mounted units in the U.S. Army. The saddle also saw use by several other nations, including Rhodesia and Mexico, and even to a degree by the British in the Boer War. The McCellan Saddle was that saddle designed by George B. McClellan, a career Army officer in the U.S. Army, and adopted by the Army in 1859. ... George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885) was a major general during the American Civil War. ... The United States Cavalry was a horse-mounted cavalry force that existed in various forms between 1775 and 1942. ... It has been suggested that United States Army values be merged into this article or section. ... National motto: Sit Nomine Digna (Latin: May she be worthy of the name) Official language English Capital Salisbury Political system Parliamentary system Form of government Constitutional monarchy (until 1970) Republic (March 2, 1970) - Last President John Wrathall - Prime Minister Ian Smith Area  - Total  - % water 390 580 km² 1% Population  - 1978... Combatants United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand Orange Free State, South African Republic Commanders Frederick Roberts, Lord Kitchener Christiaan Rudolf de Wet, Paul Kruger Casualties 22,000 6,500 Civilians killed [mainly Boers]: 24,000+ The Second Boer War also known as the South African War (outside of South Africa...

Cleaning the saddle

Cleaning is an important part of caring for tack. Tack that is not cleaned will start to build up sweat and dirt, which will cause uncomfortable rubbing on the horse. Sweat and dirt also tend to cause cracking in leather, which may result in the leather breaking right through. This not only decreases the value of the saddle, but can be very dangerous if it is the stirrup leather that breaks mid-ride. Proper care and conditioning of the saddle will not only increase its useful life, but will also help to retain its value.

A saddle should be cleaned regularily if it used for work. Preferably, the rider should quickly clean it after every ride with a damp sponge, to remove the dust and sweat it gathered. Once a week, a more thorough cleaning should be performed using saddle soap and a conditioning product that will restore the natural oils back into the leather. Neatsfoot oil is a popular conditioner. However, it tends to darken leather from its natural color, and may rot the stitching if over-applied. It is usually easiest to clean a saddle on a moveable saddle rack. Neatsfoot oil is a yellow oil rendered and purified from the feet and shin bones (not the hooves) of cattle. ...

The rider generally should not condition the billets or billet guard, as it may weaken the billets. Over conditioning the billet guard makes is so loose and supple that it slides right off the billets. A dressage girth is buckled lower on the belly. ...

Before a show or competition, the rider should take extra care to clean the saddle, and polish the D-ring, the stirrup bar or nail head on an English saddle, or the ornamental silver on a Western saddle.

References

• McBane, Susan. The Essential Book of Horse Tack and Equipment. David & Charles. Devon, England. Copyright 2002.

1. ^ The International Museum of the Horse: Online Exhibit (History of the Horse)

External links