Arabic Saddle

This saddle is most likely Arabic in origin. It has a flat seat with a more Mexican style pommel. The saddle bags and rigging suggest that it was designed for long distances to carry belongings. The stirrups are very unusual with laced fronts protecting the feet.

The wooden frame does not look much different from Western style saddles. It has two girths a front and a back cinch.

The real joy of these saddles is that they can be mended very easily as there is little stitching. The rigging allows for adjustments to be made to suit the horse, The great width of the tree allows it to sit on the rib cage of the horse and spreads the weight a lot further than its English counterpart.

Provenance The photo was taken in Isreal by a member of the Akhal Teke Society of the USA 1989.