How to Identify Saddle Parts

Though records of saddles date back to around 900 to 700 B.C., modern saddles bear little resemblance to early equipment. Leather and fiberglass have replaced fabric and wood, making today's horse tack more durable and functional. Saddles cater to specific styles of horseback riding. The two basic saddle types, Western and English, share many components but also have unique features.

Things You'll Need

  • English saddle or photographs
  • Western saddle or photographs
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Instructions

  1. Saddle Basics

    • 1
      Australian saddles combine features of both English and Western.

      Locate the pommel, the rounded, raised section at the front-center of the saddle seat.

    • 2

      Locate the cantle. Curving around the back edge of the saddle seat, the cantle helps the rider stay balanced and centered.

    • 3

      Locate the stirrup leathers and stirrups. Made of leather straps and bell-shaped metal or rawhide-covered foot rests hanging off the saddle sides, stirrups help the rider maintain balance.

    • 4

      Locate the saddle flaps or skirt, the leather that wraps over the horse's back and down its sides.

    • 5

      Locate the girth. Made of leather, nylon or rope, the girth secures the saddle around the horse's belly.

    Western Saddles

    • 6
      Western saddles have prominent cantles.

      Locate the saddle horn on top of the pommel.

    • 7

      Locate the gullet, the opening underneath the pommel. The gullet opening allows the horse freedom of movement.

    • 8

      Locate the fenders, the western name for wide stirrup leathers. Fenders, unlike narrower English stirrup leathers, protect the rider's legs from rubbing against the sweaty horse.

    • 9

      Locate the D rings, the metal loops protruding from the saddle sides. These secure the girth or girths.

    • 10

      Locate the conchos, the round metal decorations at the front and back of the saddle sides.

    • 11

      Look at Arabian, barrel racing, cutting, endurance, penning, pleasure, reining, roping and showing saddles. Note the differences and similarities of the various Western saddles.

    English Saddles

    • 12
      Compared to Western saddles, English saddles appear quite dainty.

      Locate the skirt. On an English saddle, these loose, short flaps cover the tops of the larger saddle flaps.

    • 13

      Locate the stirrup bars. These pieces of metal under the saddle skirt house the stirrup leathers and hold them in place.

    • 14

      Locate the knee rolls, the padding along the front of the saddle flaps, which help the rider maintain the correct leg position.

    • 15

      Locate the billets, under the saddle flaps. These three or four leather or nylon straps buckle onto the girth.

    • 16

      Locate the saddle panel, the rounded underside of the back of the saddle.

    • 17

      Look at Australian, close contact, cross-country, cut back, dressage, equitation, hunter/jumper, jumping, sidesaddle and racing saddles. Note the differences and similarities among these variations of English saddles.