Hard riding no saddles or stirrups

[Marcus Julius]

I am still 'flabbergasted' by the idea of 18 pairs of mules pulling a train of wagons across the prairie. We'll probably never see something like that again. Now it is hard to find anyone who can hitch ahorse or mule, let alone pack them properly.

WARNING: Off topic content ahead. Skip to the first spacing if you prefer. I can assure any of you with any doubt, that mules are far superior to horses. Except as a battle mount. Those who haven't been properly exposed claim that mules are stubborn. Those who have been properly exposed know the truth to be that mules are smart, and know better. In my family, the only thing a horse is good for is breeding with a jack, and carrying a mule to term.

Anyway, to get back on the topic at hand: Going all the way back to the original question. No, it's actually not all that difficult to ride bareback. Look at how long the Native Americans did it, riding through herd upon herd of buffalo, or charging the U.S. cavalry. However, there is plenty of evidence to show that the Romans did actually have saddles. My surprise, not that long ago, was the form of saddle.