Saddle is an essential equipment for most people in equestrian riding, and its components are also quite complex. A normal saddle is composed of front saddle bridge, rear saddle bridge, saddle skirt, and other parts

The front saddle bridge is located at the front end of the saddle and is an important component. It provides forward support for riders, helping them maintain balance and stability during cycling. The rear saddle bridge is the raised part behind the saddle, providing rear support and comfort for the rider. Different types of saddles have different styles and heights of front and rear saddle bridges: for example, the front saddle bridge of the western saddle is wider, while the obstacle saddle is relatively narrower; The rear saddle bridge of a western saddle is generally higher than that of an English saddle. The saddle bone wing is the part that connects the front and rear saddle bridges and plays a crucial role in the saddle structure. It determines the position and stability of the saddle on the horse's back, which can evenly distribute the weight of the rider on the horse's back, reduce local pressure on the horse's body, and also help the rider maintain correct sitting posture and balance.

The saddle is the part where the rider directly rides, designed to distribute weight and provide comfortable support to ensure stable riding. Its specifications need to be adapted to different horses and riding needs. A saddle pillow is a raised part on the saddle located in front of the saddle, which provides support for the rider's legs and helps maintain balance and correct riding posture.

The saddle wings and saddle skirts are also essential components of a saddle. The saddle wings are located on both sides of the saddle and are often made of tough leather, which can provide strong support for the rider's legs, help them maintain a stable posture, enhance their handling of the horse, and protect their legs from friction. They are also an important area for showcasing saddle decoration and craftsmanship; The saddle skirt covers a large area on both sides of the horse's body, with a soft texture and a certain thickness. It can evenly distribute the weight of the rider, avoid damage to the horse's back, reduce the impact of horse sweat on the rider, and also serve as a decoration to enhance the overall beauty and coordination of the saddle.

The belly strap root fixing leather is located under the front saddle bridge and is a leather component that fixes the end of the front belly strap leather. It can ensure a stable connection between the belly strap and the saddle, ensuring riding safety and maintaining the overall stability of the saddle. The belly strap is an important component used to secure the saddle on horseback. It is usually made of materials such as leather or nylon and wrapped around the belly of the horse. The belly strap is connected to the saddle through buckles at both ends, and adjusting its elasticity can keep the saddle in the appropriate position, preventing it from shaking or shifting during cycling, ensuring the safety and comfort of the rider.

Most saddles have the above components, and saddles can be divided into three types according to their competition purposes: obstacle saddles, dance saddles, and off-road saddles.

Obstacle saddle is a commonly used saddle in equestrian obstacle races, designed to provide stability and flexibility for riders to cope with jumping movements. Its characteristics are that the front saddle bridge is high and upright, the saddle seat is shallow, the saddle wings are short and forward cut, which facilitates the rider to maintain a forward leaning posture when jumping, while reducing interference with the horse's shoulders; The rear saddle bridge is low and smooth to avoid hindering the movement of the horse's hindquarters. The saddle pad of the obstacle saddle is usually thin, ensuring close contact between the rider and the horse's back, which is conducive to transmitting instructions. The material is mostly made of high-quality leather, which is lightweight and compact in structure. Some modern designs incorporate synthetic materials to enhance durability. The overall design conforms to the curve of the horse's back and distributes pressure through a well balanced saddle, ensuring the safety and control of the rider while maximizing the freedom of the horse's movement. It is a key equipment for obstacle course riders and horses to collaborate and complete high-speed jumps.

The dance saddle is a saddle used in equestrian dressage events, designed with a focus on precise coordination between the rider and the horse to achieve high demands for elegant movements. Its characteristics are that the saddle is deep and long, the front saddle bridge is low and vertical, and the rear saddle bridge is high and wide, providing stable sitting posture and better lumbar support for the rider, making it easy to maintain an upright riding posture; The saddle wings are long and straight, fitting snugly against the rider's legs and naturally drooping, facilitating the transmission of precise leg commands. The saddle pad of the dance saddle is usually thicker to ensure the comfort and balance of the rider, while reducing pressure on the horse's back. High quality leather is often used as the material, and some modern models use lightweight synthetic materials. The overall structure emphasizes balance and symmetry, ensuring the stability of the rider's center of gravity and facilitating precise control of the horse's pace and posture. It is an important equipment for achieving the unity of man and horse in dressage.

Off road saddle is a saddle designed specifically for the off-road obstacle stage in equestrian triathlon. Its structure balances speed, safety, and stability to cope with complex terrain and high-intensity jumping. Its characteristics are that the front saddle bridge is high and protruding forward, the saddle is deep and the rear support is obvious, which helps the rider maintain balance during high-speed travel and continuous jumping; The saddle wings are wide and have anti slip design, and the leg supports are usually thickened or designed with hollow structures to ensure the stability of the rider during intense exercise. Saddle pads are usually made of cushioning materials to reduce ground impact, and are equipped with more saddle strap fixing points to enhance safety. Lightweight leather or synthetic materials are commonly used in materials, and some designs incorporate wear-resistant coatings to cope with outdoor environments. The overall design focuses on dispersing pressure and avoiding the burden of long-term riding on the horse's back, which is a key equipment to ensure the safety of the horse and horse in completing the off-road stage in the three events.

Of course, there is also an uncommon type of saddle - a weak saddle. A saddle (also known as a side saddle or side saddle) is a traditional saddle designed specifically for female riders, with a unique structure that allows riders to ride elegantly in a side sitting position. Its biggest feature is the left-right asymmetric design - the rider's legs are placed on the same side of the saddle, the right leg is fixed across the saddle head, and the left leg is stuck in the towering "upper saddle bridge" groove. The right side of the saddle body extends downwards with "saddle wings" and "lower saddle angles" to support the buttocks, while the left side is equipped with an adjustable "knee brace" or "balance belt" to ensure stability. The saddle is inclined and covered with anti slip suede, and the saddle frame is often made of lightweight steel combined with leather. Modern saddles are equipped with safety saddle bolts to connect to ordinary saddle belts, and some styles hide emergency release devices at the saddle head. This design not only conforms to the etiquette norms of women's side riding in history, but also enables safe completion of slow steps, brisk steps, and even obstacle jumps. It is still a characteristic equipment in classical equestrian performances and retro horseback shooting activities today.

Sometimes, riders also choose to ride naked horses - that is, riders ride directly on the back of the horse without using any saddles, saddles, or fixed equipment, relying solely on their legs to hold the horse's belly and maintain balance. This riding technique requires extremely high demands on the rider's core strength, balance, and horse coordination, requiring subtle adjustments to the body to control direction and speed. Traditionally, it is commonly used in nomadic, horseback riding, or equestrian training to enhance the rider's perception of horse movement. In modern times, it is more commonly used for basic equestrian training, impromptu riding, or specific performance events. Due to the lack of buffering and protection, riding naked for a long time may cause friction damage to the horse's back, so professional riders often use moisturizer or temporary straps.