I emailed Deepeeka about their saddle. They are incredibly cheap (for a saddle, at least) — under $200 US. However, you have to order at least two. So very tempted! My coauthor suggested doing more research and sent me some good links to consider. I could end up with an expensive display piece. (Although I suppose that is what my side saddle is — it doesn’t fit my mare but it sure is purty.)

The Roman Army Talk forum has several great discussions on Roman cavalry saddles, including modern reconstructions. Here are links to several of these pages:

• Equine Equipment
• Gallic and German Cavalry
• Search results for keyword “saddle” on the Roman Army Talk forums

The forums above also suggested checking out The Saddlers Den, a saddler who specializes in equipment for Roman reenactors.

The Taifali Cavalry Unit has a Web page discussing their kit and experiences with it.

I’ll repost the pictures I took of the Deepeeka Roman Saddle (click the link to view a picture) in 2004.

Update: Pictures of the saddle and chariot are available.

When I drive to work, I normally charge my cell phone using the cigarette lighter port. I was going to swap the charger for the Ming with the Verizon phone (especially when I realized the Verizon phone’s battery is low). The Ming’s charger wouldn’t come out. I had to wait until I was parked at work to try and pull it out. It was stuck — so I carefully pulled harder. The silly thing ripped in half! The metal end of the cell phone charger is now lodged in the cigarette lighter socket.

I can’t move the car because that would mean that the metal pieces could have live current — and a potential hazard. Nothing like having potentially live electricity right next to your leg, right? I guess it’s a good thing the car’s console is plastic… except that item could potentially reek havoc with the car’s electrical system if it was touching anything…

One of the guys here said he would help me later this afternoon. Yikes.