zadelboom
Zadelboom is the internal framework of a horse saddle, commonly referred to in English as the saddle tree. It provides the overall shape and rigidity of the saddle, supporting the leather, padding, and fittings while distributing the rider’s weight across the horse’s back. The tree dictates key fit characteristics such as width, curve, and clearance over the horse’s withers, and it influences how the saddle sits and moves.
Historically, the tree was carved from solid wood and shaped to fit a horse and rider. Modern
Function and fit are central to the zadelboom’s purpose. An ill-fitting tree can create pressure points, restricted