Select a SADDLE that suits You!


Confused by the ever-growing variety of saddles available to a rider of your Capability?

A saddle… is a seat for a rider fastened to an animal's back.

The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse,
Whether a novice rider or an experienced competitor in any equestrian sphere, eBay provides a saddle buyer the opportunity to discover most types of saddles currently available in the Global Saddle Market!

History and development of the modern saddle
Early Civilization


Sarmatian horseman, using a saddle, brestplate, and girth.
There is evidence that man first began riding the horse as early as 4,000 BCE.[1]. However, it was not until 700-800 BCE that the predecessor to the modern saddle evolved, thought to have been developed by the Assyrians, and consisting of a simple cloth fastened onto the horse with a girth. The Scythians also developed a saddle around the same, which included padding and great decorative embellishments, which was made not so much for support but simply for comfort. The Romans had a "four-horn saddle," with one in each corner, which provided great support for the rider despite a lact of stirrups.
Later developments in Asia resulted in a saddle made of felt, built on a wooden frame, making it the first saddle with a "tree." This raised the rider above the horse's back, and distributed his weight on either side of the animal's spine rather than on it, greatly increasing the comfort of the horse and prolonging his useful life.
The Sarmatians also used saddles, with the addition of a breastplate and a girth to help keep them saddle on.
The stirrup was one of the milestones in saddle development, and its origin is debated. The first stirrup-like object was invented in India in the second century BCE, and consisted of a simple leather strap in which the rider's foot was placed. It offered very little support, however. The nomadic tribes in northern China are thought to have been the inventors of the modern stirrup. This invention gave great support for the rider, and was essential in later warfare.
The Middle Ages


A saddle commonly seen in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Saddles were greatly improved upon during the Middle Ages, as knights needed something more supportive and stronger, and the resulting saddle had a higher cantle (to prevent the rider from being unseated backwards by a lance), a pommel (to protect the rider's stomach from the opposer's lance) and was built on a wooden frame. This saddle was slowly developed to be lighter in weight, being padded with wool or horsehair and covered in leather or textiles, and was eventually used for cattle work, bullfighting, and war. Indeed, it can still be seen in parts of Iberia and eastern Europe, and is also used by the Spanish Riding School
By the 17th century, these saddle was being used for Haute Ecole riding, which was practiced mainly by royalty, aristocracy, the gentry, and wealthy merchants. To show off their status, embellishments were added to their saddles, including percious metals, jewels, and embroidery.




The development of the saddle that we more commanly know


The English hunting saddle.
This saddle eventually branched off into what is now the modern English and Western saddles.
In the 18th century, fox hunting became increasingly popular in England. The high-cantle, high-pommel design of earlier saddles was a great hinderance and very uncomfortable for riders as they jumped, so the English hunting saddle was developed. Having a low pommel and cantle, and no padding, it offered little support for the rider, but did allow them to easily ride cross-country. This saddle developed into the various English saddles.
The modern Western saddle evolved from the Iberian saddles, which were brought along by the Spanish when they colonized the Americas. These saddles were later changed to suit the needs of vaqueros in Mexico, including the addition of a horn to which livestock could be tied.
The McClellan saddles was designed in the 1850s by George B. McClellan for use by the United States Cavalry and the rest of the United States Army, and was used continuously, with some improvements, until the 1940s. Today, the McClellan saddle continues to be used by ceremonial mounted units in the U.S. Army. The saddle also saw use by several other nations, including Rhodesiaa and Mexico, and even to a degree by the British in the Boer War.

Current types of modern equestrian saddle 2006
There are two popular main types of saddles used today for equestrian use.
English saddle
(as opposed to Western saddles)
… Are used to ride horses in English riding disciplines throughout the world. The discipline is not limited to England or English-speaking countries. This style of saddle used in all of the Olympic and FEI equestrian disciplines, except for the newly-approved FEI events of equestrian vaulting and reining.
Most designs were specifically developed for dressage (i.e Classical) or jumping or moving quickly across rugged, broken country with fences. Unlike the western saddle, there is no horn or other design elements that stick up above the main tree of the saddle.
It’s panels are a pair of pads attached to the underside of the seat and filled with wool, foam, or air.(flair)
The term English saddle encompasses several different styles of saddle, including those used for eventing, show jumping and hunt seat, dressage, saddle seat, horse racing and polo.
The modern saddle has developed emensely in the last 20 years. Combining the advancements in modern technology and tanning processes, and also the requirements of the modern competitive rider the choice today are unbelievable to say even 10 years ago! Compare WWW.Wowsaddles.co.uk to the saddles of The Middle Ages!
Stock saddle or Western saddle
Western saddles are saddles originally designed to be used on horses on working cattle ranches in the United States. Used in a wide variety of western riding activities, they are the "cowboy saddles" familiar to movie viewers, rodeo fans, and those who have gone on tourist trail ride]]s. The Western saddle has no padding of its own, and must be used with a saddle blanket or pad in order to provide a comfortable fit for the horse. It also has sturdier stirrups and uses a cinch rather than a girth. Its most distinctive feature is the horn on the front of the saddle, originally used to dally a lariat when roping cattle.
Other nations such as Australia and Argentina have stock saddles that lack a horn but have other features commonly seen in a western saddle, including a deep seat, high cantle, and heavier leather.
Other types include…
Sidesaddle, designed originally as a woman's saddle that allowed a rider in a skirt to stay on and control a horse. Sidesaddle riding is still seen today in horse shows, parades and other exhibitions.
Treeless saddle, basically an English design, but not built upon a saddle tree, intended to be flexible and comfortable on a variety of horses, but also not always able to provide the weight support that a solid tree can.


Parts of the general purpose/jumping saddle. A modern flair jumping saddle by Wow
Tree: the base on which the rest of the saddle is built. It is eventually covered in leather or synthetic material. The tree size determines its fit on the horse's back.
Seat: the part of the saddle where the rider sits, it is usually lower than the pommel and cantle to provide security
Pommel (English)/ Swell (Western): the front of the saddle
Cantle: the back of the saddle
Stirrup: part of the saddle in which the rider's feet go, provides support and leverage to the rider.
D-ring: a "D"-shaped ring on the front of a saddle, to which certain pieces of equipment (such as breastplates ) can be attached.
The rapid availability of new ideas, cultures, and inventions... to the world via the Internet has also influenced the future of the Saddle.
eBay is a great retailing and marketing opportunity for both novice and experienced Horse riders of all Equestrian disciplines to find an ever-changing selection of saddles, and all things equestrian!
Some varieties of Dressage saddles currently available
Manuf / Model

Ainsley Rubens Dressage Saddle

Albion HR

Albion Original Comfort

Amerigo Original Dressage

Amerigo Vega Monoflap

Amerigo Deep Seat Dressage

Amerigo Deep Dressage

Ansur Classic

Ansur Classic

Ansur Chic

Ansur Classic

Arabian Saddle Company (Lovatt & Ricketts) Solstice Endurance Saddle

Arthur Kotas Dressage

Ascot Commander

Balance International Zenith General Purpose Dressage

Bates Isabell

Bates Isabell

Bates Isabelle Werth

Bates Caprilli

Bates Caprilli

Bates Caprilli

Bates Isabelle

Bates Caprilli

Bates Isabell Werth

Bates Precieux Deep Seat

Bates Isabell

Bates Isabell

Bates Isabell

Bates Bates

Bates Isabell Werth

Bates caprilli

Bates Haute Ecole

Bates Caprilli

Bates Isabell

Bates Caprilli

Berney Brothers Kildare Dressage

Black Country Eden

Claridge House Saddlery Synthetic

Classic Saddlery Classic O/S

Classic Saddlery (Formerly Rembrandt) Vivian

Classic Saddlery aka Rembrandt Laurea Dressage

Cliff Barnsby 750 Series Kanter Dressage Saddle

Cliff Barnsby Special Crown

Cliff Barnsby Kantor Kantor

Collegiate Jessica

Collegiate Jessica

Collegiate Intellect Dressage Saddle with Interchangeable Gullet

Collegiate Post Graduate

County Competitor

County Connection

County Connection

County Competitor

County Competitor

County Competitor - 2004 model

County Saddle Competitor

Courbette Charles De Kunffy

Courbette Grand Prix Galant

Courbette Cresta

Courbette Aristokrat

Courbette / Lemetex Bernina

Courbette Saddlery Magic Dressage Saddle

Crosby/Millers American Horse Show Association Dressage Saddle

Custom Saddlery Arena

Derby Originals Dressage Saddle

Devoucoux Milady

Devoucoux Makila Dressage Saddle

DK Saddlery Dressage Saddle

DK Saddlery Freedom

DK Saddlery Freedom Saddle

DK Saddlery Freedom

Dover Circuit

Duett Saddlery Largo

Fiebings Hoof Dressing

First Thought Equine WOW

G.P. Giacomini Dressage Saddle

Generation Dressage

Heather Moffett Flexion SBS

Heather Moffett Flexion SBS

Heather Moffett Fhoenix Dressage Saddle with Suberpanels

Jaguar XKC

Jaguar XKC

Karl Kniedersuss Symphony

Karl Niedersuss Symphonie

Karl Niederuss Karl Niederuss Symphony

Keiffer Intermediare

Keiffer Lech

Kerrits Microcord Tights

Kieffer Jerez

Kieffer Aachen AT

Kieffer Munchen Dressage Saddle

Kincade Redi-Ride

Kincade Redi-Ride

Klimke Trainer

Klimke/Miller Klimke/Miller Dressage Saddle

Kreiger Dressage Saddle

Laser Equestrian Products 100D Adjustable Tree

Lovatt and Ricketts Dressage Saddle

Lovette & Ricketts Dressage Saddle

Max Benz Grand Prix Special Monoflap with exposed block

Michael Stokes Centaur

Niedersuss Hippostar

Old Mac Original Old Mac horse boot

Otto Schumacher OS-wide

Paris Tack Paris Tack Dressage Saddle

Passier Grand Gilbert

Passier Relevant

Passier Grand Gilbert

Passier Relevant

Passier Optimum

Passier PSL

Passier Grand Gilbert

Passier Relevant

Pessoa Anky

Pharlap Saddlery Dressage

Prestige Top Dressage

Prestige Dover Dressage by Prestige

Prestige 2000D

Prestige Optimax

Prestige Grand Dressage

Prestige Top

QCA Natural Horseman Handmade Tack Natural Horsemanship Starter Kit

Rembrandt Integra Adjustable Tree Dressage Saddle

Rembrandt Integra Adjustable Tree Dressage Saddle

Schleese Jaine Savoie

Schleese Schleese

Schleese Jess Elite

Status Dressage Saddle

Stubben Scandica DL

Stubben Romanus

Stubben Maestoso

Stubben Scandica DL

Team S Dressage Saddle Outfit

Team S Dressage Saddle Outfit

Team S from Tack Outlet Superstore Dressage Saddle Package

Team-S Dressage Saddle

Theo Sommer Egon von Neindorf

Thornhill Zurich Platinum

Thornhill Germania Klasse Dressage

Thornhill Zurich

Thornhill Dressur Junior

Thorowgood Griffin Extra Wide Broadback Dressage

Torsion Dressage Calfskin 16"

Windsor Elite

Wintec 500 Dressage

Wintec Isabel

Wintec Pro Dressage

Wintec Isabell

Wintec 500 Pro Dressage

Wintec Pro w/ Cair

Wintec 500 Dressage Saddle

Wintec Isabell with CAIR

Wintec Isabell Werth

Wintec Isabell with CAIR

Wintec 500

Wintec Bates Sport

Wintec Isabell

Wintec Dressage 500 with CAIR

Wintec Dressage 500

Wintec Isabell

Wintec Isabel Werth w/CAIR

Wintec 500 Dressage Saddle

Wintec Isabell Dressage Saddle With CAIR

Wintec Isabell w/ CAIR panels

Wintec 500 with CAIR

Wintec Dressage 500

Wintec Isabell

Wintec Isabell Dressage w/ CAIR

Wintec Isabell w/CAIR Easy Change Gullet

Wintec Pro w/Cair

Zaldi New Kent



Some varieties of Jumping saddles currently available
Manuf / Model
Amerigo Monoflap Close Contact (XC)
Antares Medium Seat Jumping Saddle in Calfskin
Antares Custom Saddles The Hampton Classic Saddle
Antares Custom Saddles Jumping Saddle
Apogee LX
Barnsby Pegasus
Bates Caprilli Event Saddle with CAIR Panels
Bates Caprilli Event
Beval Butet
Beval Butet
Beval Stanford
Beval Butet
Beval The Devon
Bruno Delgrange PJ Original 16.5 reg. tree, flap 2
Bruno Delgrange PJ Pro
Bruno Delgrange PJ Original
Bruno Delgrange Partition 4A flaps and front + rear blocks
Calibre Noble
Collegiate Post-Graduate Senior Event Saddle
County Conquest
County Stabilizer XRT
County Stabilizer
County Conquest
County Conquest
Courbette Vision XL
Courbette Courbette Alpina
Crosby Sovereign (Prix des Nations)
Devoucoux Chiberta
Dominus Show Jumping saddle
Dover Circuit Elite
Dover Circuit Grand Prix
Dover Circuit Grand Prix Saddle
Dover Circuit Pro
Dover Circuit Pro Jumping Saddle
Dover Circuit Pro
Dover Saddlery Circuit Grand Prix
Duett Foxhunter
Duett Allegro
Euroriding Jade Jumping
Harry Dabbs Jaguar XJS
Henri De Rival Pro Show Jumper
Henri De Rivel Advantage Jump Saddle
Henri De Rivel Show Jumping Saddle
Henri de Rivel Show Jumping Pro
Henri de Rivel Show Jumping Saddle
Hermes Steinkraus
Hermes Oxer
Keith Bryan Saddles Skycrest Jumping Saddle
Luc Childeric Model M
M Toulouse Jumping Saddle
M. Toulouse Legano
Passier Precision
Pessoa Rodrigo Stadium Saddle
Pessoa Pessoa Rodrigo Gen X
Pessoa Legacy XP
Pessoa Stadium Jumping Saddle
Pessoa, Rodrigo Gen X
Prestige Nona Garson Elite
Prestige Nona Garson Elite English Saddle
Stubben Eidelweis
Stubben Kerry LD
Stubben Artus
Stubben Romanus Saddle
Tack Wholesale Top Trainer Jump/Hunt Saddle
Tack Wholesale Top Trainer Jump/Hunt Saddle
Thornhill Pro Trainer Event Saddle
Thornhill 24K Platinum Pro-Trainer
Thornhill Pro Trainer Event
Walsall Saddlery (WRS Co.) Selle Francaise
Wintec Jumping Pro
Wintec Jumping Pro
Wintec Pro Jumping
Wintec All purpose
Wintec Pro Jump
Wintec Pro Jump
Wintec Close Contact
All reviews courtesy of www.horsetackreview.com/results-reader-reviews

Cleaning the saddle…
all cleaning requirements are also available on the ebay site.

All fixtures and fitting also available on ebay…
stirrups/girths, saddle cloths, martingales and bridles

Questions to Ask Before Buying
Condition - Although there is a possibility that the saddle was new, never or lightly used,...chances are good that most second hand saddles have been regularly used, and you must see clear photos at least of the item for sale..
· Has the saddle been repaired? Restored? Are all parts, original? Any tears or rips/holes?
· Is the tree sound?
· Is the stitching safe? Does the saddle need restuffing?
· Is it the right size for you and the horse?
· And for the really fussy…How did the seller acquire the saddle?
· Is there any documented proof of the purchase or how the piece changed hands?
· Please confirm postage/insurance costs, as these can be expensive.

Resources for modern/specialist saddle manufacturers
· What is your budget? Check RRP prices and then view the ebay equivalents!
· What equestrian sport will you pursue?
· Check that the supplier can offer you good after sales support.
Knowledge is definitely power!
Use Google as a search engine to locate supplier’s manufacturers/trends
For the inexperienced…read books by The British Horse Society/ Pony Club
Helpful Tips for buying Saddles
· Do Your Research - Learn as much as you can about your desired saddle. Remember not all sellers are knowledgable of the difference between saddles available. If their description and/or photo leaves a question in your mind, then remember to ask the seller before the auction ends. This lets you clear up things before the sale and keeps both you and the seller on the road to a successful transaction. I have bought many saddles successfully this way with happy results!
· Use different keywords -
· Remember eBay Stores - eBay offers buyers another area for Saddlery items through eBay Stores. With great inventory selections and frequent updates, you just might find the perfect saddle for an on-line retailer.
· If you are still in search of a particular saddle, be sure to post a notice to sellers in eBay's Want It Now section.
· Bid Safely and Smartly - Review the seller's feedback rating are their customers consistently happy with their purchase? Do they have experience selling saddles? Are items sold "as is" or with a "satisfaction guarantee"? Is there a shipping/handling fee? If you win the bid, keep in mind that PayPal provides buyers with a safe and secure means to purchase items without revealing their credit card numbers to sellers.... this is a welcome (and free!) alternative.
· Happy Trails! ....Have fun on this ride to find the saddle that suits your purpose