Saddle

Saddle use is assumed in the Land-based Riding proficiency unless a character is specifically from a culture proficient in riding bareback. Any other character who tries to ride without a saddle is subject to special riding checks at the discretion of the DM. (A general no-saddle penalty of -2 is suggested.)

In a typical campaign, available saddles will be based on types used in the mid-to-late medieval period.

By this time period, the saddle had evolved through many changes in design. The basic saddle includes the frame (called the tree), the front end (called the pommel), and the back end (called the cantle).

Elven saddles are made of wood and pliable, fibrous plants. Halfling saddles are soft and well cushioned. Gnomish saddles are painted and decorated with thin layers of silver, gold, or semi-precious gems.

Orcs and goblins use saddles that are quite small, with fairly distinct pommels and nearly invisible cantles.

War Saddle: The knight's war saddle takes on huge dimensions. They typically exhibit high pommels and cantles, and are often covered with steel or brass plates or are decorated profusely with silver and ivory inlays. These usually have rings and straps for attaching barding and heavy stirrups.

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