Appa's Saddle
From Avatar Wiki, the Avatar: The Last Airbender database
Appa's Saddle is used by Aang and Team Avatar. The saddle is placed on Appa as a supportive structure for the riders, enabling them to remain safe and comfortable. It can also carry a number of items as well as providing an ample place to rest.
[edit] Description
There have been three different types of saddles for Appa. The first saddle was brown, with four holes that serve as handles and have a decorative and protective function too. The second saddle was like the first, but it was blue and brown, and with two holes, one on each side. The third saddle has a slightly darker color, the edges are smaller than the other saddles, and it is made of wood.
[edit] History
The first saddle seen is in the chapter "The Boy in the Iceberg", when Katara and Sokka found Aang and Appa. During the Book 1 and 2, Team Avatar traveled to the Northern Water Tribe and the Earth Kingdom on the saddle. Many people traveled on it. In the North Pole, the team changed the saddle according to the characteristic colors of the tribe. It was used by Aang in the Siege of the North; and Sokka and Yue used it too, and saw the invasion and the Fire Nation ships approaching.
In the episode "Appa's Lost Days", when Appa was captured, the saddle was looted and taken away from the flying bison by the Sandbenders. The absence of the saddle was noticeable for the gang, because the flight was dangerous and uncomfortable; Toph remarked: "Can we please buy a new saddle? Riding bareback is terrifying!".
The third saddle was seen in Book 3 in the chapter "The Headband". It was used until the end of the series, having a special importance in the Invasion of the Fire Nation, because a armor is added to it. The saddle is used to carry all the young people who participated in the invasion. It's unknown where and when the saddles were bought.
