| When searching through saddles for sale, it is a good | | | | horse's side. The "seat" obviously is where the rider |
| idea to know the parts that make up a horse saddle | | | | sits in the saddle. The "cantle" is the raised rear part of |
| so that you can have a checklist for which parts you | | | | a horse saddle that helps to keep the rider from falling |
| need to evaluate before making your purchase. | | | | backwards. The "stirrups" on a horse saddle lay on |
| Though they have some differences, western saddles | | | | either side of the horse and hold the rider's feet. The |
| and English saddles have many things in common. | | | | "billets" on a saddle are leather straps hanging from the |
| Major Saddle Components | | | | sides used to attach the girth which holds the saddle |
| Let's introduce some of the terms used in describing | | | | on the horse. |
| horse saddle components. Learning the parts of a | | | | These components are found on English Saddles: The |
| saddle will help to open your awareness about the | | | | "saddle flaps" on a saddle are leather strips that lay |
| products you are evaluating. You don't necessarily | | | | between the horse's side and the rider's leg. |
| have to memorize the entire anatomy of a saddle, but | | | | These components are found on western saddles: |
| having a base knowledge will improve your selection | | | | The "fenders" on a western saddle are similar to |
| process when you're looking at any saddles for sale. | | | | saddle flaps on an English saddle but are usually a |
| The "tree" is the structural core of any sort of saddles | | | | more slender strip of leather. |
| for sale. The "pommel" is the raised front part of a | | | | There are many other parts of saddles when you go |
| saddle that helps to keep the rider from sliding forward. | | | | into further detail. And the other parts can be equally |
| On a western saddle, this is where the horn is | | | | important in determining which of the many saddles for |
| attached. The "skirt" covers the area where the | | | | sale is right for you. But these terms should give you a |
| stirrups attach to the saddle. They are available in | | | | basic understanding of the general layout of a saddle. |
| round and square. Round skirts cover less of the | | | | |