McClellan Saddle Question

mowart

The McClellan saddle is great, except for the racing stripe one can get on the seat of your pants. But why is that cutout there? The story I was told by a retired Army Colonel in the 1950s was that when McClellan designed them in the 1850s, the Army could only pay $10 for a horse. That price frequently meant getting older breed, narrow back, and raised spine horses that a conventional saddle would quickly *. What reasons for the cutout have you heard?

TRAP55

Serviceability and cost were factors that contributed to the Army's adoption of the McClellan saddle over its competition. The "horn" on the Hope saddle was undesirable for a military saddle and construction of the Campbell and Grimsely saddles used large amounts of leather and brass, increasing both cost and weight. The McClellan saddle was simple, less expensive, lightweight, sturdy, and durable. Its open-tree design allowed one of three sizes to comfortably fit most horses. The saddle was adopted by the War Department in 1859 and nearly half a million were produced before the end of the Civil War.
http://www.bufordsboys.com/McClellanSaddle.htm

almanac

I also heard it was to help the animals body cool. Those sojours spent alot of time in that seat.

The Ginral

They're actually very comfortable for someone used to riding.