Monoflap saddles have a single flap with the girth straps emerging on its underside and the stirrup leathers lying on the outside. Advantages that have been ascribed to the monoflap saddle include a reduction in saddle weight and closer contact between the rider’s leg and the horse’s ribcage. The flapless saddle goes a stage further in having no flaps which places the rider’s legs even closer to the sides of the horse, from which they are separated only by a soft, cushioned saddle pad in the thigh region. The billets and stirrup leathers drape around the saddle pad that is anchored securely to the panels of the saddle and extends ventrally over the upper part of the horse’s ribcage on each side.
