Sir William Waller's Lifeguard of Horse

The following instructions are given for equipping a cavalry mount: ‘Likewise that they have all their new Saddles made of one fashion, according to a fashion agreed on, which is stronger then is usually made in England, and fitter to bear Arms and keep the Horses back from hurting.

And that their Bit-maker have patterns delivered unto him for Bitts of all necessary fashions and Sizes, to be made very strong, that the Horse may be the better managed, whereas now they can hardly know how to turn their Horses for want of good Bitts.’

Dragoon tack was much poorer quality, with the saddle being approximately half the price of cavalry saddles that were made to withstand the charge.

Illustration from Cruso, 1632, showing contemporary tack

Bits of the period, as may be gathered from the quotation above, were very severe, and were generally long cheeked curbs with a single rein. Waller’s rarely try to reproduce these bits as they can be quite severe and need very careful handling. Similarly, the sharp-rowelled spurs of the period are not worn when mounted, although rubber reproductions which are perfectly safe for the horse are sometimes used.

Seventeenth century bridles were quite different to modern ones. Many did not have a noseband, and the throat lash was often of a different design. The saddles were more similar to traditional Portuguese saddles, which can still sometimes be seen today, than to a modern General Purpose saddle. Very large and square, they had high pommels and cantles and often had two girths. Breastplates and cruppers were very common, with the breastplate being a simple wide leather band passing across the horse’s chest from girth to girth. As well as helping to keep the saddle in place, the breastplate helped to secure the pistol holsters.