A horse riding saddle or equestrian saddle is a supportive seat for riding a horse, which is fastened on the back of the horse by a girth or cinch. This is the most common type of saddle and is typically made up of leather. Before saddle trees and stirrups were added, a horse riding saddle is just a simple pad attached with a surcingle.

Horse riding saddles have common parts: tree, seat, pommel, cantle, stirrup, leather strap, flap, d-ring, girth or cinch, and panel, lining or padding. The tree, usually made of wood laminates or plastic, is the base on which the rest of the saddle is built. Its size determines its fit on the horses back and the size of the seat of the rider. Today, most trees are covered in leather or leather like synthetic.

The front part of the saddle, which is slightly raised, is called pommel. Pommel is sometimes called pomnel or swells. The seat is where the rider sits. Its depth and slope varies depending on the type of the saddle. The back part of the saddle, which is also raised, is called the cantle.

The stirrup is the bar that is attached by the leather strap to the saddle where the riders feet go. It provides support and leverage to the rider. The flaps, sometimes called fenders, are large pieces of leather on both sides of the saddle that covers the girth straps. Saddle flaps vary in shape, some even have knee pads attached.

The D-ring is where pieces of equipment, such as breastplates, can be attached. The girth or cinch, under the saddle flap, is the strap that keeps the saddle on the horse. The panel is the part of the saddle that comes in contact with the back of the horse. Additional parts, such as surcingle, monkey grip, horn or knee rolls, can also be seen in some saddles.

Different saddles are used in different horse riding disciplines today. Each is designed and constructed according to the riders and horses needs. Among the many types of horse riding saddles, the most common are the English and Western saddles.

English saddles are used for English riding, which is a style of riding that has its roots in centuries of European riding tradition. English riding is now being used all over the world and is the basic style of riding seen in the various events at the Olympics. English saddles are used for eventing, show jumping and hunt seat, dressage, saddle seat, horse racing and polo. Most English saddles are specifically designed to allow the horse freedom of movement.

Compared to other types of saddles, English saddles have flatter seats and, unlike, Western saddles, they do not have horns. These saddles are designed with panels with padding, trees with spring steel and riveted gullet plates. The tree in English saddle is semi-adjustable and is considered spring tree. English saddles vary in the length and angle of the flaps, the depth of the seats and height of the cantles, depending on the purposes or uses.

Western saddles, also known as cowboy saddles, are used for western riding and on working horse on cattle ranches throughout the United States. Western riding evolved from ranching and warfare traditions and eventually evolved to meet the working needs of the cowboys. Western saddles are characterized by the horns on the front.

Western saddles do not have padding of their own. This is why these saddles are used with a saddle blanket or pad to provide comfort. They are designed with deep seats, high cantles, sturdier stirrups, heavier leather and use cinches instead of girths. The trees define the size and shape of the finished products and are designed to spread out the weight of the rider.

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