Pack saddle

A pack saddle is any device designed to be secured on the back of a horse, mule, or other working animal so it can carry heavy loads such as luggage, firewood, small cannons, or other things too heavy to be carried by humans.

It is typically divided into two symmetrical parts separated by a gap at the top to ensure that the weight being carried does not rest on the draft animal's backbone and to provide good ventilation to promote the evaporation of sweat.

The flexible bars on this packsaddle adjust to a horse's back and offer several options for hanging panniers, manties (packs wrapped in canvas),[1] or other loads.

The upper side of the pack saddle resembles a rack to let its load rest on and be tied on with ropes, straps, a surcingle, or other devices.

One historical exception was a pack saddle used in feudal Japan by non-samurai class commoners who were not allowed to use riding saddles (kura) for transportation.