From:Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum
Name/TitleUniversal Pattern Light Horse Saddle
About this objectA brown leather horse saddle with a deep, curved seat and extended side flaps. The saddle features metal stirrups attached via leather stirrup leathers, with visible wear consistent with use. The seat is smooth and slightly raised at the pommel and cantle, suggesting a design intended for stability and comfort over long periods of riding. The underside padding appears worn, with exposed stuffing visible at the front. This form is characteristic of saddles used by mounted troops, particularly those associated with Australian Light Horse units in the early 20th century.
The saddle is stamped in various places, but the markings are faded, and the leather is marked CLIFF OF WALSALL, 1910’’, with a broad arrow. This "crow's foot" symbol is the government's mark, indicating that the item was official government property.
This identifies the manufacturer as Jabez Cliff & Co., based in Walsall, England—historically the world's centre for high-quality saddlery. Cliff of Walsall was a major supplier of military saddlery during World War I.
The webbing also contains Individual Identification and the horse names for which the equipment was fitted. It is marked ‘GINGER’, ‘JACKIE’ and ‘KEYTHORPE’.
This saddle is a fascinating hybrid. It began as a rugged, military-issue, but after its military service ended, it was purchased by Keythorpe Hall, a prominent historic estate in Leicestershire. They then repurposed it for their own use, stamping it with the estate name and the names of the horses that rode it.
MakerJabez Cliff and Co
Maker RoleManufacturer
Date Madec. 1910
Period20th-century
Place MadeThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Place NotesWalsall is a market town and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, part of The Black Country in the West Midlands, England, UK.
Medium and MaterialsLeather
Metal (stirrups and fittings)
Textile/fibre (internal padding)
Inscription and MarksCLIFF OF WALSALL, 1910’
Various arrows
GINGER’, ‘JACKIE’ and ‘KEYTHORPE’
TechniqueLeatherworking Stitching Metal forming
Subject and Association KeywordsMilitary saddle
Subject and Association KeywordsMounted infantry
Subject and Association KeywordsThe Great War
Subject and Association DescriptionThe saddle demonstrates the importance of horse transport in military operations before the widespread adoption of motor vehicles. Its construction emphasises endurance, rider stability, and load-bearing capacity—key requirements for mounted infantry operating over long distances.
Object TypeEquestrian Equipment
Object number2026.1023
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
