| The Saddle Tree is the foundation of the saddle and | | | | leather and to release it should the rider fall from the |
| will be either of 2 types - rigid or spring. A spring tree | | | | pony. |
| is usually used in English saddles, and a rigid tree in | | | | The Stirrup Irons or stirrups hang from the stirrup |
| Western saddles. For spring trees the shape is | | | | leathers and support the rider's feet. |
| created from a base constructed from thin plywood, | | | | The Flap provides protection between the rider's legs |
| layered over with fibreglass for strength. Steel strips | | | | and the girth buckles. It is made from leather and is |
| placed beneath the saddle from front to back give | | | | found covering the girth strap. |
| the spring. A rigid tree is made from either wood | | | | The Girth Straps hold the buckles which fasten the |
| wrapped with leather, or pressure molded fibreglass | | | | girth to the saddle and are usually made from either |
| and wood shavings. Additional strength is provided by | | | | webbing or leather. |
| steel plates on the underside of the saddle. | | | | The Knee Roll supports the rider's knee with extra |
| Another type of saddle is the Treeless Saddle in | | | | padding. |
| which the support is provided by a fibreglass pommel | | | | The Outer Panels are part of the saddle padding and |
| and cantle instead of a tree. | | | | are found underneath the skirt. They are there to |
| The Pommel is the front part of the saddle that rises | | | | help spread the rider's weight over the pony's back |
| to skim over the pony's withers. | | | | and are made from leather with felt or wool padding. |
| The Cantle is the part that rises at the back of the | | | | The Keeper holds the end of the stirrup leather to |
| seat. | | | | stop it flapping about. |
| The Seat is the part of the saddle where the rider | | | | The Gullet is a groove running from front to back |
| sits and is found between the pommel and cantle. | | | | underneath the saddle. |
| The Stirrup Leathers hold the stirrups. They are | | | | The Skirt is the large leather flap on either side of |
| usually leather straps (or they may be made from | | | | the saddle. |
| webbing) and are fastened to horizontal bars placed | | | | D-Rings are useful on a saddle as they provide a |
| beneath the skirt. These bars are made in two pieces | | | | means of hanging essential equipment from the |
| ,a bar and a movable catch to secure the stirrup | | | | saddle. |