English Saddles

English saddles are used to ride horses in "English riding" disciplines throughout the world. This style is used in Olympic and FEI equestrian events. The only exception is the newly-approved FEI events of equestrian reining and valuting. English saddles were specifically designed to allow the horse the greatest freedom of movement. Since it's frequently used in jumping, running, and moving quickly across rugged, broken country with fences during sporting events, this is essential. Unlike the western or Australian Saddles, the English saddle doesn't have a horn that sticks up above the tree of the saddle.

The term "English saddle" includes several different types. These include saddles used for show jumping and hunt seat, dressage, Saddle seat, horse racing and polo. The primary distinctive feature of an English saddle is its lack of a horn. But some Western saddles, such as those used in endurance riding, don't have a horn. They're still classified as western due to their high cantle, wide stirrup leathers, deep seat, and large, leather stirrups. Saddles used outside the United States often share stock saddle features but lack the distinctive horn.

 

The other major characteristic of an English saddle is its panels. Panels are a pair of cushioned pads attached below the seat. English saddles are usually constructed on a framework called a tree. The tree is composed of wood, spring steel, or composite. It supports the rider on a sling of webbing between the firm pommel (front of the saddle) and cantle (back of the saddle). On either side of the tree, a steel hook known as the "stirrup bar" is affixed. It is upon this hook that the rider hangs the stirrup leather, which is a very strong leather or nylon loop supporting the stirrup. At the bottom of the tree are several more very strong leather or nylon straps known as billets, to which will eventually buckle the girth--the beltlike strap which holds the saddle onto the horse.

 

The tree and its parts are upholstered with a covering made of leather, nylon or microfiber and shaped to form the seat above and the panels below.