Saddle Words I

SADDLE – A covered seat, usually padded, attached to the horse’s back by means of a girth, upon which a rider sits; preceded by a girthless cloth placed on the horse’s back; treed saddles came into use by cavalry soldiers of the Roman Empire; of various designs according to the purpose for which it is required.

SADDLE BOW – The arched front part of a saddle, the top of which is the pommel.

SADDLE CRUPPER – Also known as a riding crupper or crupper; riding tack consisting of a back strap attached on one end to the saddle skirt by means of metal dees and, on the other, to the crupper dock which is fitted under and around the base of the horse’s tail; used to prevent the saddle from slipping forward onto the withers.

SADDLE LEATHER – Vegetable-tanned leather made of cattle hide used in saddlery.

SADDLE STRINGS – Narrow strips of leather attached to the front and rear skirts of a stock saddle, used to tie objects to the saddle.

All definitions are excerpts from Horsewords: The Equine Dictionary
By Maria Belknap; Trafalgar Square Publishing; ISBN: 1-57076-274-0.