Origins+of+Saddles

Saddles have been used for thousands of years. the first use of the saddle attributed to Moors of N Africa, riding over long periods of time became uncomfortable for riding and during battles. 700 BC in the Middle East started to decorate their saddles with images. Also when the Romans first invaded Britian they did not use sadles, but toward the end of their empire they did use them. But these saddles were very different from the ones used today. These earlier saddles had no stirrups and the rider had to use their thigh strength to say on the horse. 3000 years later the saddle was introduced to Europe and the knights made some improvements like adding the stirrup for support. There are two types of saddles, the Moorish also known as the Western Saddle and the Hungarian also known as the English Saddle.

Early Saddle of the Romans Image from [|www.caerleon.net/ history/army/page9.html]

Modern Day Western Saddle also called the Mooish Saddle. Image from [|www.equusite.com/.../ basicsWesternSaddle.shtml]

Modern day English Saddle also called the Hungarian Saddle. Image from [|www.equusite.com/.../ basicsEnglishSaddle.shtml]

An interesiting site on the another history of Western Saddles. []

Works Cited: http://www.limebrook.com/saddlehistory.html