From ancient times to the present day, the saddle has been one of the most necessary pieces of equipment. A good saddle creates the most comfortable conditions for the rider. Thanks to a wide range of modifications, now everyone can choose a saddle based on their body type and area of ​​interest in horse riding. A properly sewn saddle protects the horse’s back from possible damage and makes the process of interaction with the rider comfortable. We can safely say that this invention turned the course of history and determined the shape of human development for many centuries. But who invented the saddle? And how did it acquire the form that is so familiar to us now?

The name of the person who came up with this design, well known to all equestrians, has not been preserved. Most likely, it was not one person. Entire nations have developed the art of horse riding for many centuries, so that we can now choose types and models to suit our tastes and needs.

The first mention of a saddle like this was around 800 BC; riders of that era covered their horses with blankets. Light and durable blankets of antiquity protected the rider from slipping on the horse's back and made the landing stronger and more confident. Over time, the blankets became smaller and a front girth, chest and tail straps were added. Saddles played the greatest importance, of course, in military operations. After all, the stronger the rider sits in the saddle, the more successful the outcome of his battle can be. Thanks to the invention of the saddle, riders could take with them more weapons and equipment, which, of course, also influenced the outcome of military operations. In the seventh century BC, the saddle was transformed and acquired a shape even closer to the modern one. Stirrups were also invented at the same time.

The Scythian saddle is considered the prototype of the modern one. It was created in the 1st century BC. The simple design consisted of two pillows stuffed with wool and felt, sewn together with a leather jumper. Thanks to this saddle, the rider's pressure on the horse's back was less, but not significant. Also, during impacts, soft cushions did not fix the rider on the horse. The development of the saddle continued...

In the Middle Ages, saddles began to be made of iron. Imagine how much heavy uniforms and equipment medieval knights wore! The saddle had to be strong and strong to support the weighty gentlemen and their squires. At the same time, ladies' saddles appeared so that venerable ladies could ride on horseback.

The further development of the saddle was, firstly, determined by the needs of the cavalry. To make long journeys, a comfortable, light, strong saddle was needed. Already in the 16th century, leather saddles were created on the basis of a wooden tree for military campaigns, hunting and walking. Since that time, saddles have become increasingly lighter, developed and adapted to the needs of the time. The most popular material for trees these days is plastic. Lightweight and durable, it allows you to create saddles weighing 5-7 kg. The second most important moment for the development of the appearance and modern qualities of a horse saddle was the increased interest in equestrian sports.

This interest continues to this day, so every year workshops for sewing horse harnesses are developing and offering their clients new models that best meet the needs of society. The Hermida company honors the traditions of saddlery and relies in its activities on the long history of horse riding. We follow the development of equestrian sports and create the most current, comfortable and suitable models for each discipline.

Kira Stoletova

One of the most important elements of equestrian equipment is a horse saddle. Without it, horse riding is impossible. The better the saddle, the more comfortable the riding process is for both participants. Every horse owner should not only know how to put on equipment correctly, but also know what to look for when choosing it. An incorrectly selected outfit will cause discomfort to both the rider and the animal.

What types of saddles are there?

The saddle, like the bridle, was invented a long time ago. In ancient times, it looked like an ordinary cape with clasps. Over time, the design of the equipment has been modernized and improved more than once; as a result, many different models have appeared, created taking into account the individual characteristics of thoroughbred horses, capable of satisfying all the needs of riders.

There are the following types of horse saddles:

• Cavalry - Leather cavalry gear is great for long, continuous rides on horseback. It has, depending on the model, either a steel or wooden saddle tree (solid frame). The use of such dense materials guarantees excellent wear resistance of the equipment. In addition, when using such a saddle, the rider’s weight is correctly distributed over the horse’s back and does not cause discomfort to it. Previously, when cavalry was one of the main types of troops and cavalry campaigns could drag on for a long time, horse saddles had additional armor and mounts for duffel bags and weapons.
• Cossack is also a good type of traveling saddle, but made using a completely different technology. The main structural elements that make up a Cossack saddle are archak, wings and cushion. On a specially shaped saddle with a small handle, the rider can at any time stand up on straight legs or perform any of the elements of horse riding.
• Ladies' equipment is one of the types of equestrian equipment that has survived to this day since the 17th century. In those days it was considered bad taste for a woman to sit in a man's saddle. In addition, given the fashion for full, long skirts, this was terribly inconvenient, so it was decided to develop a special women's saddle for the horse. With the advent of fashion for trousers, this type of saddle practically ceased to be used, but recently the ladies' saddle has regained popularity.
• Jumping - special jumping equipment with all the features that arise from this sport. In such models, the wings are pushed forward, due to which the rider’s legs are pressed tightly against the sides of the animal, thereby increasing the stability of the rider in the saddle while jumping. The shape of the pommel is made either in the form of a circle or in the form of a square.
• Dressage - Good dressage only occurs in deep seated saddles where the rider can easily straighten his legs fully into contact with the horse. To achieve the required seating depth, the creators had to significantly shorten the seat. To properly support the legs, the structure of the wings is narrow and long. During dressage, it is very important that the animal reacts as sensitively as possible to every human command, most of which are given by the body, which is why dressage saddles have almost no upholstery, and the shelves are narrow and short.
• Universal - the equipment is suitable for almost all equestrian sports and for simple horseback riding. This is the best option for horse riding enthusiasts who do not professionally participate in races and who are just learning the basics of dressage. If you want to choose a good hunting or pleasure saddle, be sure to pay attention to universal models.
• Tri-mounted - visually the saddles are similar to universal saddles and are also great for any type of riding, but their cushion with the wing is slightly moved forward, which makes it possible to change the normal seating to a field position during cross-country.
• A racing saddle is a simplified sports saddle with an almost flat seat and short stirrups. This design allows you to minimize the load on the horse and direct all its strength to the main goal - winning the race.
• Officer - used during military parades, in addition, it can be found on the horse of mounted police, during any long horse ride or hike. The saddle has many mounts for weapons and other things necessary for officers.

There are some types of saddles for riders of a narrower specialization, for example:

• Western - equipment of American cowboys, providing stability and comfort of landing. Even during sudden movements or a sudden stop of the animal, it is comfortable to sit in such a saddle. In addition, it has a special horn for attaching a lasso.
• Treeless - a soft plastic saddle that fits perfectly to the back of the animal. It weighs almost nothing. Most often, such saddles are worn on injured horses or those with a sore back. After recovery, horses may dream of this type of comfortable equipment for a long time. A gel pad is usually attached to the top of these saddles.
• A pack device is used for transporting large volume loads on animals.

There is another type of equestrian equipment that cannot be called a full-fledged saddle - a pad. If necessary, this shock absorber can be used either as a soft bedding for hard models, or as an independent element instead of saddles.

Making your own saddle

Don't think that making horse equipment is as easy as crafting it in your favorite game. In order to make a saddle with your own hands, you need special skills and experience in such work. In addition, it is impossible to do without specific materials, so many professional breeders advise choosing a ready-made option, especially since today there is a huge selection of different models on sale.

When you come to a specialized store, you can not only find out how much this or that type of saddle costs and select the optimal model, but also purchase all the necessary equipment to order according to an individual design.

If you are not looking for easy ways, you can try to make this piece of equipment yourself and put it on your favorite horse. It’s worth starting with the simplest model: a combat saddle, which is based on an ordinary wooden tree.

So, you need to prepare in advance:

• a sheet of thick cardboard;
• wooden block;
• a knife and a pair of scissors;
• some nails and staples;
• hammer;
• construction model of a stapler;
• leather, whether artificial or natural, or similar material;
• file;
• a piece of foam rubber;
• belts

It’s very good if, before making a saddle for a horse with your own hands, you manage to get a base from old equipment somewhere. After all, if you already have a tree ready, then it will be enough to simply repair it by adding a couple of elements. It's much easier than making your own horse saddle from scratch.

Preparing the frame from scratch

• The first thing that needs to be done for this is to determine the size of the animal at the highest and lowest points of the withers and in the curve of the back. The resulting dimensions should be transferred to cardboard, then draw a drawing of the frame for the tree and cut it along the contour.
• The next stage is the creation of 2 shelves. Having cut them out of wood, connect them with wire so that they hold their shape along the back of the animal. Each shelf has a hole for a girth.
• They take a wooden blank, apply a tree pattern and cut it out, and then attach it to the shelves using nails.

Making upholstery

• You need to attach foam rubber to the frame, and sew a felt lining for the shelves.
• Then you need to start creating harnesses and girths from the belts. However, there are ready-made versions of these elements on sale, you can buy them. A stirrup is attached to each girth, and the girths are installed in the shelves.

Creating a saddle is only half the battle. It is necessary for the animal to get used to it.

Please note that saddle training should only begin after the animal has completed basic training, trusts the rider, and knows and follows basic commands.

These minimal skills determine the pet's future behavior.

We usually associate side saddles with elegant riders in long dresses taking a leisurely stroll through the park. The modern world dictates different rules: women have equal rights with men - horse riding has also changed. Equestrian sport has become faster, tougher, more dynamic, and side saddle has lost its relevance. Is it so? Let's try to answer this question.

Origins and roots

The earliest depictions of the side saddle can be seen on Greek vases, bas-reliefs and Celtic stones. Initially, such a saddle was a soft seat, to which a hard base or tablet was later added, which allowed the rider to ride more confidently. However, this design did not allow a woman to control a horse as long as she was merely a passenger, so in the Middle Ages paintings often depicted women sitting on a small seat behind a man, or sitting sideways while the man led the horse by the bridle. Horsewomen were a favorite theme of many artists in later centuries: remember the paintings “Horsewoman” and “Portrait of K.A. and M.Ya.Naryshkins" by K.P. Bryullov, "Before the Hunt" by Heidi Haywood, "Walk in Boys de Boulogne. Madame Henriette Darras on a walk" by Pierre Auguste Renoir, "The Horsewoman" by Edouard Manet - the list is endless! All of them illustrated side-saddle riding, which was popular at that time.

Within the bounds of decency

In Europe, the appearance of side saddle owes in part to cultural norms and traditions that dictated the rules of good manners for women from the upper classes. At that time, riding like a man, turning the horse in the direction of travel, was considered absolutely unacceptable. In addition, long skirts were in fashion, which simply did not allow one to sit in the saddle in this way - in a word, it was impractical, uncomfortable and considered “indecent.” Nevertheless, representatives of the fair sex still rode horses, and therefore there was a need to create a saddle that, on the one hand, would allow control of the horse, and on the other, would look elegant and modest.

Habit versus tradition

The idea of ​​​​creating the earliest “functional” side saddle belongs to Anne of Bohemia (1366-1394): at first it resembled a stool on which a woman sat sideways, with her feet on a small footrest. In the 16th century, Catherine de Medici proposed a more practical design: the rider was positioned facing forward, with her right leg thrown over the pommel of the saddle, and the footrest was replaced by a sliding stirrup into which the left leg was inserted. This saddle allowed women to both stay in the saddle and control the horse, at least at low speeds. However, despite cultural pressure, not all representatives of the fair sex willingly used the side saddle: it is known that Diana de Poitiers (mistress of Henry II) and Marie Antoinette more often used to ride like a man, and Catherine the Great completely ignored it. The Empress's favorite pastime was to wake up early in the morning, saddle her favorite horse named Diamond and rush at full speed wherever her eyes looked. Catherine even ordered a portrait where she sits astride an ordinary saddle in a male officer's uniform.

Little revolution

In 1830, Jules Peslier invented a ladies' saddle with a second, lower pommel. This design is still used today: the upper bow is located almost vertically, at an angle of about 10 degrees to the left and smoothly curved to the right and up. The lower bow, on the contrary, bends down and serves to hold the left thigh on top. Thus, the rider's right leg lies two fingers' distance in front of the pommel, and the left leg a hand's width behind the pommel. The appearance of the lower bow truly played a revolutionary role: now women could move not only at a walk or at a leisurely trot, but also gallop, participate in hunting and overcome obstacles. This design of the saddle opened the way for women to many disciplines of equestrian sports that were previously inaccessible by the standards of decency. For example, the world record for side saddle show jumping was set in Sydney, Australia, in 1915 and was 6 feet 6 inches (about 195 cm). The pommel was the latest development in the side saddle and remains the basis of modern saddles made from a wide variety of materials.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, riding like a man, sitting facing the direction of the horse, became socially acceptable: women gradually got rid of long skirts and changed into breeches. Over the course of several decades, the side saddle ceased to be an item of common use, but even today it still has many fans who still carefully preserve the traditions of the past.

Skill and dexterity

In principle, any horse will be suitable for riding side saddle, but it will take time to accustom it to the rider's unusual weight distribution and commands given with a whip instead of the right leg. When riding this way, the hands are held higher than usual, so animals sensitive to the mouth will have to adapt to this. However, most well-trained horses quickly and easily get used to the unusual position of the rider and can work equally well under either a regular saddle or a lady's saddle.

First impression mistake

Riding side saddle is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. Since both legs of the rider are on the same side, there is a risk of uneven distribution of weight on the horse's back and, consequently, injury to the animal. Additionally, if the person is not balanced, the girth will have to be tightened more and this can cause discomfort for the horse and even cause breathing problems. Side saddle uses only one stirrup, and the rider's leg is raised higher than when riding in a regular saddle. The left ankle is flexible and the heel of the left foot must be down for correct balance, good contact with the horse and proper positioning of the foot in the stirrup. As when riding in a regular saddle, the rider can use spurs and a whip, with the whip serving as a “replacement” for the right leg, and the spur being worn only on the left leg, respectively.

Man's question

Do men ride side saddle is, of course, an interesting question. In fact, they ride a lot, and not just for fun. In particular, during the Second World War, a field telephone cable was laid this way, unwinding the reel from the back of a moving horse. Sometimes farmers ride side saddle on very large horses with a wide back, on which it is much more comfortable to sit sideways. Some modern riders with certain types of back injuries also claim that side saddle riding helps them.

The ladies' saddle is also actively used for hippotherapy, for example, for people with amputated legs, since the design of this saddle provides additional safety for disabled people. Although in the modern world the side saddle is considered a kind of bizarre anachronism, many horse riding enthusiasts still use it in historical reenactments, parades and shows. Riders sitting side saddle can also be found in the classic equestrian disciplines - dressage, eventing and show jumping.

In a word, a side saddle is not so outdated, but, on the contrary, comfortable and in some cases even useful. Thus, the American writer Rita Mae Brown once said: “If the world were logical, men would ride in side saddles.”

Igor Nikolaev

Reading time: 4 minutes

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A horse saddle is the most important element necessary for comfortable riding. Since its production requires a lot of manual labor and a high level of skill, this piece of ammunition is the most expensive. In ancient times, riders used an ordinary blanket, which was attached to the animal with belts. Over time, the design became more and more complicated for the sake of human convenience.

There are many types of saddles. This is because riding horses are used in different ways. The design of this important element of riding equipment and its correct fit directly affect the rider’s position and, accordingly, the movement of the animal.

The basis of any saddle is a solid frame (horse people call it a tree).

It is usually made of wood, sometimes of metal. In the past, only birch was used, but now plastic and glued wood panels are used to make the tree. It is the shape of the tree that determines how the finished saddle will look, which is given its final look and shape using wool or synthetic materials. At the final stage, the saddle is covered with high-quality leather, which significantly increases its price.

What types of saddles are there?

Different designs and shapes of saddles are designed for different purposes. The differences are mainly related to the use in different types of equestrian sports competitions (horse racing, show jumping, dressage, and so on). In addition, saddles are divided into professional and student.

Universal saddle

As the name implies, the most common type. It can be used for any type of riding - from ordinary leisurely walks to sporting competitions and horse hunting. Such saddles are often made cheaper by using inexpensive synthetic materials in their manufacture, which makes them more affordable

Sports types of saddles

The main types of such saddles are racing, dressage, jumping and eventing.

Racing. During horse racing, the jockey's seat is similar to that of a monkey. He stands in the stirrups almost all the time, without touching the saddle with his buttocks. In this regard, the design provides for an almost flat seat and greatly shortened straps. Currently, the most popular design is James Sloan, who was the first to ride with such a landing. In addition, racing saddles are available for training and for competitions themselves. The design is the same, but the second one is lighter.

Dressage clothing is not suitable for jumping. Its design allows for driving on a flat, level surface. It has straighter and longer wings, which makes it possible to press the leg tightly against the side of the animal. In addition, such a saddle has longer girths, and the girth, on the contrary, is shortened.

The jumping type is distinguished by more protruding wings, which allows the rider to rest his foot while the horse jumps and, thereby, maintain balance.

Eventing is in many ways similar to universal and, in principle, is quite suitable for most types of riding. Currently, saddles designed by Mary King are very popular. They allow you to move the knee pads, changing and adjusting the shape.

For the game of equestrian polo, saddles have a special shape. Their seats are almost flat, and there are simply no knee and hip bolsters.

Ladies'

This type of ammunition item belongs to the category of demonstration. This saddle was designed with only one purpose - to make a woman on a horse look as elegant and beautiful as possible.

The idea of ​​its creation was born in the Middle Ages, with its strict morals. In those days, etiquette did not allow ladies to spread their legs while riding, and they kept them on one side of the horse.

Lady's saddle for horse

Modern emancipated women ride in ordinary saddles, and ladies' saddles are mainly used in various costume shows and demonstrations. The lady's left leg is in the stirrup, and her right leg lies on the pommel of the saddle. To prevent the rider from slipping, the seat is upholstered in either suede or deerskin. Many people say that driving in it is not the most comfortable experience.

Hunting

Also belongs to the group of demonstration accessories, since it is practically not used for its intended purpose.

This design features increased seat depth and more convex knee pads. This makes the landing as stable as possible. Previously, when horses were actively used for hunting, the rider often had to drop the reins in order to shoot the animal. In addition, this design was convenient for overcoming obstacles.

The main purpose of such structures is to allow the rider to remain on the horse for as long as possible.

This group includes the following types of saddles:

• camping;
• Australian Shepherd;
• cavalry;
• cowboy;
• military;
• front door

In a camping bag, for example, the amount of padding materials has been increased. This can significantly reduce the load on the animal's back.

Hunting saddle

Herding cares about the comfort of not only the horse, but also the person.

The cowboy saddle stands apart. Its main difference is the very high (compared to the rear) front part. This allows the rider to stay in it during sudden stops. In addition, such a saddle has only one girth and a fairly deep seat. This shape is best suited for comfortable long-distance riding.

The main difference between military saddles is their high strength, which is achieved by the fact that metal is used for their manufacture.

How to make a saddle for a horse with your own hands

This is a very painstaking task that requires certain skills and abilities. During production, the scope of future application and the dimensions of the animal are taken into account. It is very difficult for a beginner to make a saddle from scratch, so it is better to buy one.

Well, if you still want to try your hand at this difficult craft, we’ll give you some useful tips.

Lenchik

The tree is the beginning of any saddle. Previously it was made of wood, but now it is often cast from plastic. It is best to choose a ready-made one, made by a master in a factory. If this is not possible, you will have to try to make the tree yourself.

Before starting work, take measurements of your horse. To do this, you need to take stainless wire and form a frame from it directly on the animal’s back. To do this, place the wire on the withers and, pressing lightly, form it into the shape of a horse's back. After this, we place the resulting outline on the cardboard and trace it. This will be the template for the future layout.

We cut out the resulting contours and apply them to the horse’s back. This is to ensure the correct size and shape. Everything came together - let's move on.

We take the necessary measurements: the highest point of the withers; space for the front bow; the point where the pommel ends; dorsal bend.

Nowadays, trees are made mainly from wood or plywood, from which the general shape is cut out using special tools. Since there are a lot of bends in it, you will also need sandpaper and a jigsaw.

We apply the finished tree to the back again and make the final adjustment.

Internal upholstery

We take foam rubber, fold it in several layers and cut it into the shape of a tree. The edges of the upholstery should protrude slightly.

After this, a plywood form is attached to the tree, and then a foam upholstery is placed on it. We nail it with nails so that they reach the tree itself.

External upholstery

All that remains is to make the outer covering. For this, either leather or leatherette is usually used.

Leather is difficult to work with. It must first be steamed, and only then adjusted to shape and size and stretched. If you don’t have experience making leather, you can use another durable material - thick, coarse fabric or a woolen rug. True, such upholstery will require frequent replacement, as it will quickly wear out.

Dating the evolution of the female saddle is not an exact science. It is obvious that for years after the introduction of innovations, many women were still riding on the old saddles and some rural and provincial craftsmen, unlike the craftsmen in fashionable cities, were still making them in outdated versions.

Thus, for many years after the invention of the third pommel (jumping support) and the balancing strap for greater riding safety, ladies in 1850 and after could be seen in saddles of models that appeared before 1830. Of course, in many saddles The 1870s, 1880s, and twentieth centuries did not have balance straps - perhaps more for aesthetic reasons than for any other reasons - and their saddles were a testament to how bows were placed on earlier models.
However, most women wanted to be fashionable and modern, and wanted to be seen as such, and most saddles can be categorized according to their respective periods in history.

From the Middle Ages to the Elizabethan era

The history of the appearance of the women's saddle dates back to the 9th century and once upon a time the noble “lady-style” fit was called royal. We can imagine it from engravings, paintings, Greek flowerpots and ancient Roman bas-reliefs. In the beginning, it was simply a soft saddle pad tied to the horse's back so that its hard spine would not bother the rider. They could have hand grips, stirrups, and leather straps for attaching to a man's saddle. Most often, medieval ladies sat behind their men, holding onto their belts, and were simply passengers on the horse.
Later, the pillow was transformed into a bulky, awkward seat with high backs, in which the lady, firmly tied to it, could only admire the surrounding landscapes and the back of a servant leading her horse by the bridle. Early versions looked like small soft seats and already in the 9th century they were added a small support called a tablet. Now the rider had the opportunity to stay more confident in the saddle and control the horse’s movements, and not just be a passenger

The ancestor of the side saddle then reached Anne of Bohemia, who is believed to have brought it to England in 1383, the year of her marriage to Richard II, although according to an article in Woman's World magazine in 1889, a certain Mr. Wright testified that he saw Anglo-Saxon woodcuts of saddles in which women rode.

Before the arrival of Anne of Bohemia, saddle cushions were widely used, and this continued until the 18th century. Early side saddles, such as Anne of Bohemia's, were little more than a flat seat with a foot platform known as a "planchette" and, lacking safety features, could only be ridden by very slowly, often with a servant leading the horse.
This is where the "chair" for riding came from, with a grip, or horn, at one or both ends of the saddle. The lady, still sitting fully to the side, could lean against a support bar at the rear, and the saddle could be used on either side of the horse. Such saddles were used until the 19th century inclusive.

The invention of the second horn, which the lady held with her right foot, in the 16th century is attributed to Catherine de Medici. Thus, for the first time in history, a lady in the saddle was facing forward, although engravings of 1497 and 1504 by Albert Durer show ladies in saddles sitting facing the line of travel long before the invention of the second horn by Catherine de Medici. Whoever was responsible for the new design, it meant a safer position in the saddle, and gave women the ability to control their horses themselves, allowing them to ride at greater speed.
Queen Elizabeth I of England rode side-saddle for ceremonial events and, as depicted in some engravings, also for falconry. Naturally, this "queen's saddle" came to be considered correct for ladies' riding, and ladies who rode in men's saddles were condemned for their lack of morality.

Elizabeth's saddle with a horn in the shape of a swan's neck;

16th and 17th centuries

Saddles from the 16th and 17th centuries. were mostly variations of flat seats, although now more facing the horse's head, some had a bar for the back, some did not. Most had a central horn for the leg and quite often a second horn on the left. As women increasingly rode forward facing in the 18th century, the Planchette, so useful for riding completely sideways, began to give way to stirrups of various shapes.

Early side saddles were uncomfortable for both horse and rider, despite their richly decorated blankets and other drapery.

Almost no effort was made to secure the saddle - most often there was only a collar to secure it to the horse's neck and a tailrest. The saddles were built on the frame of men's saddles and the metal base for the horns was simply bolted to the front.
Saddles of that time were often covered or trimmed with something. For rich ladies, they could be very expensive and skillfully decorated. Red velvet and silver saddle decorations sold at Sotheby's in London in 1998 included a saddle cloth, fringed stirrups, a saddle trimmed with silver thread, tassels and fringe, a leather bridle with velvet and silver trim and a bridle. The saddle was made for the wife of Sir Thomas Wyse, High Sheriff of Devon in 1638, and was probably used for ceremonial events, and the front of the blanket even had fringed holsters, as the use of pistols by ladies was common at the time for self-defense on dangerous roads England of the 17th century
A similarly decorated saddle blanket is kept in England's Exter Rougemont Museum of Cloth and dates back to the mid or late 17th century. It is also made of red velvet with embroidery in silver thread and satin appliqués. Finished with silk and silver braided cord along all edges, it also has stylized floral decorations at the corners. The saddle is lined with natural wool and finished with chain stitches, and the edges are trimmed with wide weaving. The saddle cloth is made of coarse cotton fabric.