The most important part of a trooper's equipment was his saddle. Well made, it provided the durability and comfort for both horse and rider to endure the rigors of campaign. A poorly made saddle left him with saddle sores or a lame horse.

Like the rest of his equipment, the recruit brought his own saddle into Confederate service upon enlistment. Some of the designs had existed since the 18th century while others were born out of the westward expansion of the early 1800s.

An effort was eventually made by the Confederate Ordnance Department to provide a standard saddle for the cavalry, but due to the variety in craftsmanship with the various saddle makers and the limitations in the availability of leather, hardware and saddle-trees, the result was often inadequate.