About English Saddles
Just as there are two main different styles of horse riding, English and Western, there are also different types of saddles for the disciplines. English saddles are a key component of English riding, allowing the horse to move in an optimal fashion. While there are many types of English riding, such as dressage, horse racing, polo, show jumping and eventing, most use a variation of the English saddle.
The base of an English saddle is called the tree, which is normally made out of wood or a wood-like material that is reinforced with steel. Covering the tree are layers of leather to make the panels, flaps and seat. The panels, usually filled with wool or foam, serve the purpose to provide cushioning and allow the saddle to be fitted to the horse.
Two types of flaps, sweat and saddle, serve different purposes. The sweat flap is underneath the saddle and protects the saddle from sweat and keeps the horse’s back from being pinched by hardware. Conversely, the saddle flap acts to protect the rider’s legs from buckles on the saddle. The seat of the saddle is where the rider sits and can vary in depth. Generally a deeper seat provides more security for the rider.
The stirrups on an English saddle are composed of a stirrup bar, a leather and an iron. The stirrup bar is made of metal and attaches the leather to the saddle. The leather acts as a connection between the stirrup bar and the iron and can be adjusted to fit the rider. The stirrup iron, actually made of steel, provides a resting place for the rider’s foot.
An English saddle differs from a Western saddle in that it has panels and lacks a noticeable pommel. In Western riding, pommels are often used to wrap a lariat around after roping an animal. Western saddles often have deeper seats than English saddles, providing more security and comfort. Cinching on English saddles also differs from Western saddles. English saddles use a girth that buckles while Western saddles generally are secured to the horse with a strap of leather or nylon called a latigo that is tied to the saddle with a flat knot.