Our view of things.
Custom saddles — the term sounds promising. They suggest that they are made specifically for your horse. But is that really the case? In practice, there are many misunderstandings about custom saddles that we would like to clarify.
Custom saddles sound like the perfect solution: individually made for your horse, optimally adapted. But in reality, most custom saddles are nothing more than cleverly combined standard components. Actual individuality falls by the wayside.
Most so-called custom saddles – and even so-called full custom saddles – are actually only partially prefabricated. They combine standardized components like saddle trees, panels, and head plates – nothing about them is truly “made to measure.”
A saddle that seems to fit perfectly when standing can quickly become too tight or uncomfortable when moving. Static measures ignore the dynamic change in the horse's topline.
The term “custom saddle” raises false expectations for the horse. Measuring a horse instead of testing different saddles misses the chance to truly listen to what the horse is telling you. A horse’s strengths, weaknesses, and well-being can’t be captured by numbers – but if you ask the horse, it will always answer.
Most saddle fittings rely on measurements taken while the horse is standing. But modern horses, especially those with exceptional movement and suppleness, change their topline significantly when they move. Static measurements overlook these critical factors.
The horse’s topline changes significantly depending on the gait. In trot or canter, the saddle area expands, the swing of the back becomes more pronounced, and the gullet width adjusts dynamically.
A saddle shaped for a horse at rest often turns restrictive or uncomfortable in motion. Traditional measuring techniques stem from cavalry-era practices – outdated methods that no longer meet the needs of today’s horses.
We don’t rely on static measurements – we focus on movement. Through testing, careful observation, and personalized adjustments, we craft the ideal solution for your horse, perfectly aligned with its motion and well-being.
We watch your horse in various gaits, such as step, trot and gallop, to understand its specific movement patterns.
You and your horse try out different saddles from a wide range of suitable models. This allows us to ensure that the fit is optimal not only in theory but also in practice.
Based on the results, we precisely customise the saddle so that it optimally supports both the horse's movements and the rider's comfort.
Get advice from our experts and find the perfect saddle for you and your horse.
