Although humans rode horses bareback for thousands of years, all types of riders now commonly use saddles. The saddle serves many purposes: It makes mounting the horse easier; it provides a place to hang ropes, weapons and other cargo; and it increases the comfort of both the rider and the horse. Although saddle designs vary, the parts are essentially the same.
Seat
The top part of the saddle, where the rider sits, is called the seat. The highest part of the seat in the back is the cantle, and the front of the seat is the gullet. Most Western saddles have a horn mounted on a fork at the front of the seat for hanging ropes and weapons, but English saddles lack horns. The seat extends down both sides to provide protection for the thighs; these extensions are called jockeys.
Fenders and Stirrups
The fenders are sections of leather that extend from the seat. They provide protection for the rider's thighs. The metal stirrups, which are used for mounting and stability, are connected to the fenders via stirrup keepers. The stirrups on English saddles are placed much closer to the seat than on Western saddles.
Skirt and Back Jockey
The leather skirt sits underneath the seat and is molded to the shape of the horse's back. It increases stability and reduces jarring. The back jockey sits between the cantle and the skirt and provides added protection for the rider's legs.
Cinches
Saddles feature one or two cinches, which are leather belts that hold the saddle on the horse. The cinches are connected to the saddle body via D-rings, or "rigging dees."
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