Close up view of the painted saddle fenders.

Zoomed in view of the fenders. The fenders are made of hide and painted to the specifications of the rider.

In this photo we see a close up of the fenders. The fenders are made of cotton wood, and typically we do not see fendered saddles from this time period. The fenders are unique because it is a woman’s saddle. The earth toned paints show us a peek into what art may have looked like, but the recurring themes of this piece are its flashiness and beauty. The fenders did not need to be painted, but the creator wanted, likely using a natural collection of painting materials, that could have even been gathered by herself. The fenders allow this saddle to functionally keep a wider frame, which was likely more comfortable for the female rider. Fendered saddles were typically used in longer journeys. Often times horses were ridden bareback when performing tasks or going a short distance.