Three things you didn't know about the history of the horse saddle

with all those horns looks like it may have been a challenge to mount!
3. The first leather saddles
The Samartians fine horsemen of the 3rd century AD who also had women warriors in their ranks developed leather saddles and are also believed to have introduced the stirrup and the spur. The Huns a nomadic tribe of central Asia brought these saddles back to Europe. 
During the next 1000 years saddles were improved for better balance safety and comfort. Mediaeval knights particularly relied on the development of a strong saddle with a higher cantle and pommel to help keep them on board in battle. It was padded with wool or horse hair and covered with leather or cloth.
It is this style of saddle that has largely evolved into the saddles we use today.
Modern saddles
Today saddles have evolved to suit particular disciplines.
General purpose saddles allow the rider to adopt a dressage or jumping position and are a good all round saddle for an amateur rider.
Dressage saddles have a longer straighter saddle flap and a deeper seat to enable the rider to lengthen the leg and sit in an elegant straight position. The girth straps on a dressage saddle are longer and the girth itself is shorter to prevent the buckles from coming into contact with the riders legs.
Jumping saddles have forward cut padded saddle flaps to enable the rider to balance securely with shorter stirrups when jumping.
Racing saddles are extremely lightweight and have a flat seat and small forward cut saddle flaps. The jockey rides with very short stirrups crouched over the horse to minimise wind resistance as the horse gallops.
Side saddles are cleverly designed to enable the rider to sit centrally while both legs are on the same side. The rider places her left leg in a stirrup and the right leg