We have so far considered the framework of the saddle,viz., the two arches and side bars. These comprise the essentials of a saddle, and if they fit – or to put it perhaps more accurately – if these are big enough, and in any way resemble the surface on which they are to rest, the other parts of the saddle become mere accessories, for example, the seat, flaps, panels, etc.

The seat is a convenience to the rider; a blanket laid over the tree of the saddle would do as well, provided there was very little back waste. The seat is a part of the saddle which, so far as it relates to the man, does not here concern us, but it may be a source of injury to the horse, if through the leatherwork stretching or stitches giving way, it comes down onto the spine; it is obvious that this is only likely to occur through loss of condition or its equivalent, so far as saddle fitting is concerned,viz., thin blanket or panels. The strain on a seat is considerable, and in order to support this bridge of leather, there is introduced under it a sling of webbing which runs from arch to arch, and so takes off very largely the strain on the leather.

Seats are strained by other methods when riding: a tight over-girth is one of the chief causes of seats sinking.

Flaps to the saddle, like seats, are not a necessity, but a convenience – a blanket would do as well. The saddle flap is rarely the cause of injury, and we may therefore dismiss any further consideration of it.

Pad between saddle and back
The material which goes between the saddle and the back consists of blanket and numnah, or numnah and panels or numnah, blanket and panels. The ordinary service method consists of a numnah and blanket on which the bare side bars rest, or the latter may be further protected by panels made of numnah.

These three structures must be separately