. . . "This structural base lends its shape and size to the finished saddle, forming the seat with its curved back (cantle) and the front (head) with its inverted U at the opposite side.Once solely and painstakingly hand-carved from solid wood, trees are now just as likely to be the result of mass production using wood laminates as well as synthetic materials such as polyurethane or fiberglass (which off" . .