Saddle is a seat used by a rider on a horse. There are many different kinds of saddles. They range from a mere blanket, such as American Indians used, to the saddles of medieval knights, which supported them on their horses when they were struck with a lance or spear.
The main parts of most saddles are a seat, usually made of leather; a girth (strap) underneath the horse, which may be tightened to secure the saddle; and stirrups for the rider’s feet. There is usually a pad under the seat to protect the horse’s back from irritation, and a leather flap, which hangs down on both sides of the horse to protect its sides.
The two most common saddles in America are the English and the Western. The English saddle is almost flat, with only a slight curve in the seat. The front of the seat comes to a slight point called the pommel, while the back is wider and slightly raised to form the cantle. The Western saddle has wide stirrups, a high cantle, and a pommel raised to make a horn to which a lariat may be fastened.
