Pack saddle

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Army style pack saddle with a swag (bedding) on top

A pack saddle is any device designed to be secured on the back of a horse, mule, or other draft animal so it can carry heavy loads such as luggage, firewood, small cannons or other weapons too heavy to be carried by humans, etc. Ideally the pack saddle rests on a saddle blanket or saddle pad to spread the weight of the saddle and its burden on the pack animal's back. The underside of the pack saddle is designed to conform well to the shape of the pack animal's back. It is typically divided into two symmetrical parts separated by a gap at the top to ensure that the weight being carried does not rest on the draft animal's backbone and to provide good ventilation to promote the evaporation of sweat. There are several types of pack saddles, a Cross Buck which has crossed wooden bars to tie sling ropes to, the army style of pack saddle which has two large metal hooks each side to hang the pack bags from and the Decker style with two rings to tie sling ropes to.

The pack saddle consists of a tree, or the wooden blocks that sit on the horses back, the half breed which is the canvas saddle cover, the breeching and often a crupper which prevents the loaded saddle from sliding too far forward and the breast collar which holds the loaded saddle from sliding too far back on the pack horse or mule.

Since the pack saddle is not intended to support a human rider, the upper side of the pack saddle resembles a rack to let its load rest on and be tied on with ropes, straps, a surcingle or other devices.