The Scyths used a saddle based in a tree while the Persians and Greeks used a pillow that was causing pressure on the spine of the horse unless the horse was built and fed to have broad "double" backs (Xenophon mentioned those horses as the best as they would not get back problems from the pillow saddles).
The Scyths however made their saddles, the first tree saddle, to fit their leaner and more narrow horses by using two pillows tied together over a tree like structure, the Scythian saddles never cause back problems like the Persian saddles did and many claim that therefore the Scythian cavalry was superior to the Persian and Greek cavalries.
I think we have a lot to learn from the Central Asian horsemen even today, even 500 B.C. they had created horse friendly saddles and they also used milder bits to their horses. And of course they created the best riding horse, a type that many breeders want to produce today, a long legged, elegant horse with beautiful head and long neck, comfortable to ride with a lot of energy and workability.....

1. Darya12/03/2006 11:12:57
Homepage: http://www.avatstud.com

Thank you for an interesting picture, Jessica. The ones I have commonly seen used nowadays are more similar to the stock saddle I think. It is basicly like two wooden panels (similar to skis, only shorter) and they are joint together by a metal frame so that there are two rounded metal bars front and back. This frame makes wooden panels rest on the horse's back either side of the spine. The panels have felt attached to them and covered with leather. And in between the metal bars they stretch leather to make a seat. It is quite comfortable, as you are sitting in a type of a hammock and it takes the shape of the bum. I could ride for days without having a sore bum. Something I have to get used to now. But I found they were quite easy to fall out of, because they did not have any padding for the legs/knees. Allthough all the guys I have seen riding them can ride just as well without a saddle so it does not make a difference to them I guess. I am not sure how horse friendly those saddles are though and where they were originally invented. I think I have seen them in other parts of Russia as well. I am quite excited myself now, I will have to go to some more rural places in Altai where some nomadic tribes live and see what sort of saddle they use.

2. Darya12/03/2006 11:26:59
Homepage: http://www.avatstud.com

Here is an interesting one, similar structure to what I have described, just no metal frame, wood instead.
http://www.horsebows.com/saddle/