The Parts of English Saddles

English saddles are designed to protect both horse and rider during riding. Each part of a saddle contributes to the comfort of the rider and the protection of the horse's back and skin. It is important that riders have saddles properly measured and fitted to ensure the saddle does not cause any discomfort to the horse or the rider. If you are unfamiliar with fitting a saddle, it is best to visit a tack shop and talk with someone with experience in measuring and fitting saddles.

  1. Pommel, Seat and Cantle

    • The pommel of the saddle lies at the front of rider's seat. The pommel fits over the horse's withers to protect the horse from chaffing, pinching and rubbing while wearing the saddle. Unlike the Western saddle, the pommel of an English saddle does not have a horn for the rider to hold. The seat of the saddle is where the rider sits. The cantle sits at the back of the seat and typically angles slightly upward and away from the horse's back.

    Skirt and Stirrups

    • Riders use stirrups for mounting and dismounting, balance and to assist in communicating with the horse by using their heels.

      The saddle's skirt covers the stirrup bar and is located where the rider's upper thigh would be when mounted on the saddle. The skirt is a small flap of leather that protects the rider's leg from rubbing against the metal stirrup bar. The stirrup bar is where the stirrup leather attaches to the saddle. The stirrup leather is a long, thin piece of leather that connects at the stirrup bar on one end and then loops through the stirrup iron with the other end. It can be adjusted to the leg height of the rider. Stirrup irons are where the horse rider's feet go while riding the horse. They have a flat bottom for the rider to set her feet on.

    Knee Roll and Saddle Flap

    • The knee roll provides extra cushion for the rider's knee. It sits below the saddle's skirt and in front of where the stirrup leather drops from the stirrup bar. When a rider has properly adjusted the saddle's stirrups, his knee should naturally rest against the knee roll. The saddle flaps are the sides of the saddle that protect the horse's sides from rubbing by the rider's legs.

    Girth

    • A girth is a saddle's cinch and keeps the saddle securely on the horse to prevent the saddle from slipping. A girth attaches from the underside of one saddle flap to the other by stretching across the underside of the horse. The girth is tightened like you would tighten a belt. Girths are typically made of fabric instead of leather so they do not cut into the skin of the horse.