The saddle commonly used by the soldiers of the frontier had a hardwood tree, with a rawhide cover, sewn and shrunk to the tree. Down over the bow and cantle was placed a large, soft leather covering known as a coraza, and overall, a smaller leather pad or mochila,which sometimes held front-mounted saddle bags, or coginillos. The illustration shows the saddle bags mounted on a single saddle cover. Also in use was an anguera or smaller anguerita, decorated armor rump covering for the horse made of seven panels of leather attached to the back of the saddle. To protect the soldier's legs from the harsh brush of the frontier country, armas, or side skirts of leather hung from the saddle over the rider's legs to below the stirrups, tied at the bow and cantle. When not in use the armas were tied only to the front of the saddle and gave some protection to the horse's front legs and shoulders. Stirrups normally were made locally of wood and often came equipped with leather tapaderas, or covers, over the front.
Saddle in the collection of the
ARIZONA PIONEERS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Tucson.
From: Brinckerhoff, Sidney B. &
Odie B. Faulk. Lancers for the King. (Phoenix, AZ: Arizona
Historical Foundation, c. 1965).