What Is a Trooper Saddle?

A trooper saddle is a small, lightweight leather saddle. Trooper saddles are English and Canadian in origin, dating back to the mid-1800s. These compact saddles quickly grew in popularity and can also be found in India, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

  1. Before 1900

    • Trooper saddles made before 1900 are mostly English crafted. They offer rounded front boards with a smooth rounded frame.

    After 1900

    • Trooper saddles crafted after 1900 are mostly Canadian in origin. The saddles were basic and lightweight, providing easy use for both horse and rider.

    J Mason & Sons Birmingham

    • J Mason & Sons Birmingham, who later became D. Mason & Sons, is the first known manufacturer stamped on a trooper saddle dating before 1900.

    Variations

    • Australian trooper saddles often include pivoting sidebars or swivel trees. South African trooper saddles attempted pivoting at the baseboards. Yet, this was not successful and resorted back to traditional trooper saddles that still sometimes included a swivel tree.

    American

    • A field trader, Dan Clark, started to re-vamp old and worn out traditional trooper saddles, adding laminate sideboards and casting frames. This began the Americanization of trooper saddles, leading to how many are produced currently in the United States.

    Uses

    • The trooper saddle, then and now, is a favorite of military officers, police officers and cavalries. The trooper saddle is approved by the National Horse Show Association to be placed on horses during show performances.