ABSTRACT
SADDLES AND SADDLE MAKING In the United States, there are two major types of saddles made for riding horses, generally referred to as English and western. English saddle traditions are European in origin (not necessarily from England). English saddles are relatively small and light, little more than a seat for the rider. In the United States, they are usually made of hemlocktanned leather, which cannot be stamped very easily; thus, the aesthetic qualities of English saddles lie in their overall form and finish rather than decoration, and, of course, in their usefulness. English saddles exist in a number of specialized forms, including racing and dressage saddles. While there are many mass-produced English saddles available, saddles for such elite events as polo matches and show jumping championships are likely to be handmade by saddle makers who specialize in specific forms.
