Medieval Saddles

The saddles shown here are reconstructions based on originals, paintings, artwork and finds.
The first two were made by Andre Görlach ( / medievalsaddlefactory .
The black saddle that can be seen on the Lusitano during the sparring session was made by Joram van Essen ( / historic-saddles-19637... .
There also is Marcin Ruda from Poland ( / mrkonie , sadly we did not have one of his saddles at the event.
A big thank you goes to Arne Koets for hosting the Rossfechten Symposium at his place, as well as to everyone involved and their permission to publish this video.
(See you next year! ;) )

[@eddierudolph8702]

This is amazingly similar to a modern Western saddle, I think it's called a stock saddle outside of America.

[@56Seeker]

Interesting. An overview of the complete tack set would be very interesting too. I particularly enjoyed seeing something of the evolution of type . Is the same true of the remaining tack as well? is a 13th century bridle different from a 15 th?

[@peterspatling3151]

In two hundred years A LOT changes. The saddles, the style (from an artistic perspective, what decorations/patterns etc. are used), as well as the construction of the bits for example. The bits changed a lot, and especially in the Renaissance and early Baroque period people built the craziest stuff. However they always did it for a good reason. I plan to cover a lot of topics, regarding horses in the future. What horse tack looked like in antiquity right to the modern day. This however will take quite some time to get started. If you want to keep informed just subscribe to my channel and keep asking questions in the comments. Too give you a bunch of pictures: This one is from the middle of the 13th century: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Peraldus_Knight.jpg This one dates towards the middle of the 15th century: legacy.closertovaneyck.be/#viewer/id1=33&id2=0 And this one dates to the middle of the 17th century: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Gustave_Adolphe_at_Breitenfeld-Johann_Walter-f3706497.jpg There is a lot to cover in the future, stay tuned :)

[@silverkitty2503]

kind of looks like the saddle was designed a lot to protect the horses back

[@modernvaquero]

Nice job. :)

[@vanivanov9571]

Wonderful, hope you will post more great videos! Subscribed.

[@peterspatling3151]

I will make a lot of videos. It is just gonna take some time to get everything rolling ;)

[@Isseinoyuu]

Love it, not enough information on medieval horsemanship

[@MinSredMash]

The 15th Century saddle looks like you would need to be wearing armor to avoid severe discomfort. Would the palfreys have different tack?

[@peterspatling3151]

You do not have to wear armour, but as Arne points out, you learn where to keep your legs. Basically, after one day of riding, you know how to sit properly ;) As for the different tack, yes, sort of. The saddle core was made of wood as well. The "ears" at the cantle that go around the riders hips are something that can be found on saddles that are primarly used in warfare and tournaments. Another very common saddle type does not have such ears but ends in two round curves at the riders butt, while the pommel is in the shape of a snail house. These saddles seem to be more of a civilian type, but can be found in depictions of battle scenes as well. Especially in the HRE these were widespread. An extant, highly decorated piece: 4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJc4_9CUkEU/T3UczTAbpLI/AAAAAAAAAG4/6-yjdethoFw/s1600/03+-+HNM+Jankovich+L.jpg A painting in a book from the end of the 15th century: i.pinimg.com/originals/6b/75/ec/6b75ecd55b0c98571e6cd14a2b72aa74.jpg

[@airnt]

it is very comfortable, also note that the armour is not covering anything where the saddle sits, as really, the saddle is part of the armour. i have ridden in it for up to 6 hours on end and was perfectly fine in it, everybody that rode in it so far has been surprised how comfortable it was.

[@johnperry947]

spurs and stirrups please never enough info on design and type.

[@peterspatling3151]

Medieval ones in particular?

[@johnperry947]

oh yes historical please never enough on stirrups.

[@airnt]

these are from originals in the DHM 15th century, very plain.

[@JavierBonillaC]

That was probably the fIrst dressage saddle 😂