The earliest saddles were simple pads fixed with a surcingle seen by 800 BC , with the saddle tree coming into use about 200 BC , and paired stirrups by 322 A.D. Saddles in use today , date back to the 1700 's . The earliest saddles were simple pads attached with a surcingle seen by 800 BC , with the saddle tree coming into use circa 200 BC , and paired stirrups by 302 AD . Saddles in the styles seen today date back to the 18th and 19th centuries .