Saddlery

Saddle, which is usually put on the back of pack animals such as mules, donkeys, and horses, and fabricated by attaching a wooden skeleton on the main structure, is generally used for carrying loads or riding purposes. That agricultural and animal husbandry activities were being performed widely in Bursa has traditionally expanded the use of both pack and passenger animals. Although the decrease of the usage areas of the saddle reduced the need for saddle today, this art is traditionally carried out by the masters who produce saddles. The materials used in the manifacturing of saddles are procured from the districts and surrounding provinces. The hornbeam wood used in the wooden part of the saddle is obtained from the mountain villages, and the tanned goat skin is brought from Balıkesir. The reeds used to fill the goat skin are collected from the lakes near the center of Bursa. The construction of the saddle begins with the assembly of two spring-shaped pieces called "kasnak" (hoop) made of hornbeam wood. After goat skin filled with reeds is mounted on the hoop, goat skin is covered with felt. The colorful pompoms prepared for the decoration of the saddle are only attached to the saddles to be used as riding purposes, the saddles to be used for carrying loads are designed in a plain style only to provide ease of use. Apart from its usage areas, saddles are also produced as touristic souvenirs by being designed in miniature sizes.