History and development

There is evidence, though disputed, that man first began riding the horse not long after domestication, possibly as early as 4000 BCE.. It is not known precisely when riders first began to use some sort of padding or protection, but a blanket attached by some form of surcingle was probably the first "saddle," followed later by more elaborate padded designs. The solid tree was a later invention, and though early stirrup designs predated the invention of the solid tree, the paired stirrup, which attached to the tree, was the last element of the saddle to reach the basic form that is still used today.

From the earliest depictions, saddles became status symbols. To show off an individual's wealth and status, embellishments were added to saddles, including elaborate leatherwork, precious metals, jewels, and embroidery.

Early Civilization

It was not until about 700-800 BCE that there is verifiable evidence that the first predecessor to the modern saddle was in use, thought to have been developed by the Assyrians, and consisting of a simple cloth fastened onto the horse with a surcingle. The Scythians also developed a saddle which included padding and decorative embellishments. Though they had neither a solid tree nor stirrups, these early treeless saddles and pads provided protection and comfort to the rider, with a slight increase in security.

The Sarmatians also used saddles by about 300 BC,"History of the Saddle." Web site accessed February 2, 2008 with the addition of a breastplate and a girth to help keep the saddle on."The History of Western Leather Spurs and Spur Straps, Cuffs, Chaps, Chinks and Saddles." Web site accessed February 2, 2008.

The development of the solid saddle tree was significant; it raised the rider above the horse's back, and distributed the rider's weight on either side of the animal's spine instead of pinpointing pressure at the rider's seat bones, reducing the pounds per square inch carried on any one part of the horse's back, thus greatly increasing the comfort of the horse and prolonging its useful life. The invention of the solid saddle tree also allowed development of the true stirrup as it is known today. Without a solid tree, the rider's weight in the stirrups creates abnormal pressure points and make the horse's back sore. Modern researchers have done thermography studies on "treeless" and flexible tree saddle designs have found that there is considerable friction across the center line of a horse's back.

In Asia, early solid-treed saddles were made of felt that covered a wooden frame. These designs date to approximately 200 BC."History of the Saddle." Web site accessed February 2, 2008 One of the earliest solid-treed saddles in the west was the "four horn" design, first used by the Romans as early as the first century BC. This design also did not have stirrups.