Introduction to the Equestrian Saddle Collection

The saddle has long and interesting history. As far as we can judge the first domesticated animal that was ridden was the reindeer. Pads may have been made out of basic materials, none, to the best of my knowledge have survived.

The Pazyryk artifacts from the Altai mountains tombs of the 5th Century BC yielded up an interesting collection of accoutrements, including a pad saddle. Similar padded saddles were being used in England in the 17th century by women to ride aside on.

The development of the tree which is covered with rawhide soaked and stretched across the frame is a technique from antiquity. Saddles today fall into various categories; the pad made of felt and leather, the half-tree used in racehorse training and racing. Examples of the full tree are Western saddles, Military, Mexican, Side-saddles, Arabian and Berber, Turkmen, Tibetian, South American, Austrailian and Native American.