This work is based on the museological classification of the saddle collection of the Museum of Ethnography in Budapest. The collection consists of cca 150 saddles, two-thirds of which comes from Hungarian speaking areas, one third from Northern Africa, Asia and Finland. The author describes the development of saddles and their different types by analysing the objects and professional literature. Making and ornamenting saddles, harnesses and equipments of the saddles for different purposes are described here. The most famous Hungarian saddle making centre and the most widespread Hungarian type, the Tiszafured type are highlighted. Cultural history of this Eastern heritage from the ancient history of Hungarians upto the present is presented. It also refers to the significant traditions of Hungarian riding culture (Hungarian hussar) and to the new areas and possibilities of current saddle usage (sport, turism, recreation).