Origin and Use of English Saddles
English saddles allow the horse more movement then their counterpart – the Western Saddle. They are not specific to England and are used worldwide. In the Olympics they are used for all events except vaulting and jumping. There is no horn for the rider to hold onto. The English saddle is made up of a tree, seat, pommel, cantle, waist, flaps and stirrups. The design of the English saddle derives from the need for a saddle that allowed more freedom of movement for those engaging in sports such as fox hunting. This made it easier for the horse to spring over ditches and fallen logs in order to keep up with the hounds that were chasing the fox.