Parts of a Saddle – Do you know the pommel from your cantle?

Do you know the difference between the pommel and saddle cantle? If not, don’t worry! We’ve all got to learn or even sometimes be reminded of the parts of the saddle.

In this article, The Society of Master Saddlers takes a close look at the different parts of a saddle and the importance of understanding each, including the cantle and pommel. Correct saddle fitting is a key part of horse management and it is important that all parts of the saddle fit the horse correctly.

With this in mind, it is vital to understand the composition of a saddle and the different elements that comprise it. A racehorse, for example, requires a different type from a showjumping, cross country, general purpose, or dressage saddle. The cut is different, it is much lighter, and it has several other variations from the typical schooling counterpart.

In this feature, we give you the lowdown on all the parts that make up an English type saddle from the front and back to the middle.

Parts of the English Saddle

The difference between a jumping, GP and dressage saddle is fundamentally the deepness of the seat and the shape and support of the knee roll. However, here we investigate the different areas of any saddle for you to be mindful of and display various types.

The cantle

The cantle, which is raised and curved and is opposite the pommel at the back of the seat, can provide comfort and support for the rider. A dressage saddle will have a higher cantle than a GP, and a showjumping saddle.

The cantle sits on top of the saddle’s panels. To find out the size of a saddle, a measuring tape is used from the pommel to the cantle. Typical sizes include 15 inches, 15 1/5 inches, 16 inches, 16 1/2 inches and so on. The larger the rider, the larger the saddle needed; however, this should be considered alongside the length of the horse’s back.

Did you know … The cantle can be made longer to accommodate a larger rider without changing the length of the saddle? Bespoke saddle makers can make this happen – so it’s definitely worth speaking to a society of master saddlers representative to find out more.

The pommel

At the front of the saddle, the pommel essentially protects the horse’s spinal processes from the underside of the arch of the tree. The pommel should sit level with the cantle or, for dressage, up to three inches below the cantle. The space allows for movement of the wither around the structure without restricting or causing the horse any pain.

To measure the pommel for fit, three fingers should fit between the wither and the top of the pommel when girthed up and with a rider in the saddle. Any less than this, the saddle is considered not suitable for the horse as this can cause cause pressure points and rubbing over and around the withers.

The tree

Almost all saddles are built on some sort of tree, whether they are made from traditional wood and steel or more modern synthetic materials such as strong plastics and polymers. Whatever materials are used, the tree is the most important single item for characterizing the shape and appearance. Some of the more advanced trees which are common in a wide range of types today are adjustable. This means that the tree can be changed from a narrow to an extra-wide fitting through use of a tree adjuster. Alternatively, adjustable gullet plates can be used to simply adjust the width.

Stirrup bars

Stirrup bars are normally attached to the tree of the saddle and can be of differing lengths. Dressage saddles usually have a longer bar, so the stirrup leather can hang further back, allowing the rider to sit in the classical position. On the other hand, jumping saddles have shorter bars so the rider’s leg can sit more forward.

The seat

The seat is as it says, where the rider sits when horse riding and the skirts are the sections that cover the stirrup bars. Seat types can vary, with the differences seen between a dressage saddle and one made for showjumping, for example. Dressage riders need a deeper seat than a showjumper, so often a higher cantle is seen in this type.

The panel

The panel is the gap between the tree and the horse’s back contains either flocking material or air cushioning. Alternatively it may be pre-formed from a synthetic material or may be a mixture of all of the above.

The saddle flap

The saddle flap varies enormously depending on the style and its intended purpose. Its shape must be cut appropriately according to the discipline it is intended to be used in. A dressage type will be cut long and straight, whilst the jumping type will have shorter, forward cut flaps. Modern-day types can now be designed with a monoflap, which as the name suggests, sees only one piece of leather instead of two, where the girth straps are also attached.

Information about the Society of Master Saddlers can be found on the website Master Saddlers.

Final words

No matter what type of saddle, the parts are very similar. The cut changes depending on the rider’s needs; however, the pommel and cantle are always in the same place. The saddle flap, tree, skirt, knee roles and stirrup bars differ slightly between types.

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