History Of Horse Saddles
Author: HorseSaddleStore.com
Quietly, and without much credit being given, horse saddles have helped write almost all of human history prior to World War I. Great civilizations rose and fell by the power of their cavalry, and that power rested in large part on the horse saddles that were used. Today, saddles are used almost exclusively for pleasure and competition, but it is important that the American West itself could not have been conquered without sturdy and well-designed horse saddles.
Horse saddles, like the internal combustion engine and most weaponry, has been refined by the wars in which it was used. In ancient Rome, horse saddles were decorated to display the rank and status of its owner, often including decoration with precious jewels and metals as well as horse saddles designed for particular purposes. In Asia, the art of archery was combined with horses, and horse saddles were developed with special stirrups to distribute the rider's weight and provide him with a more stable surface from which draw and fire. Trained Mongul archers on horseback terrorized the countryside, shooting as many as 30 arrows a minute while galloping along at full speed.
The most basic design of horse saddles can be traced to how they were used in warfare. During the feudal period of the Middle Ages, the cantle and pommel were introduced and raised, giving the rider a more secure position, and offering them more resistance to being unseated during combat. English horse saddles were developed primarily for hunting, and built to allow the rider a full range of movement, up to and including quickly mounting or dismounting without hindrance.
In the United States, the Western saddle developed out of horse saddles designed around those used by the knights of Europe. The saddle horn as we know it today was introduced, proving itself as a wonderful portable hitching post. The cowboys, as they are romantically called, used saddles that were specifically built to make life on the range a little easier. In this way, horse saddles played a very large role in
exploring and settling as the white man moved westward.
Most saddles have a lot in common. The primary parts of horse saddles, such as the tree, seat, pommel, cantle, and stirrups are all nearly universal. Other designs have been introduced over the years, but research and testing seem to imply that the designs of saddles we have used for centuries is still most acceptable today. They provide a way to distribute the riders weight across the horse's back, and allow for maximum comfort for both horse and rider.
Although horse saddles have been traditionally made from wood and leather for centuries, there are also many types of synthetic materials used today. Professional riders generally avoid synthetic horse saddles, claiming that the comfort and performance of leather is superior, as well as having a longer lasting life. New types of saddles will likely be developed in the future, but the popular consensus is that the modern design reached its level of perfection before the industrial revolution.
