Interested in Roman Riding?

[John Conyard]

I don't fully understand your question so I'll try and answer all possibilities.

With the wooden frame the horns are very firm. Not flexible. You only really notice them properly when jumping, when going over rough terrain or using your upper body. They are there just in case, otherwise you just sit on the saddle. The more you relax the leg the better it is. Kind of bareback but with the added back-up of a saddle just in case.

In a German pad saddle you sink into the saddle and the horns close around your legs. You are in it no matter what and will go down with the horse if there is a problem. In some examples the horns are so floppy they give no support.

In a steppe saddle such as the photo above you ride with a very straight leg and a deep seat, avoiding any muscle cramps. When you turn you make sure your insdie leg is very straight and very deep. A rope stirrup is the next logically "step".