How do I find the right saddle for my horse?
In order to provide the horse with even pressure distribution and maximum comfort under the saddle, the right saddle should be chosen based on a harmonious ratio of seat size to contact surface.
The right saddle should fit both horse and rider and fulfil the following points:
- The saddle has the seat size required for the rider
- The contact surface is longer and wider than the rider's seat size
- The saddle has a wide saddle tree to provide a stable contact surface
- The saddle's seat profile offers the rider a comfortable seat feeling
- The centre of gravity is balanced and allows the rider to sit in the optimum position. For short horses, a saddle with a central centre of gravity is preferable to a saddle with a centre of gravity at the rear
- The angle of the gullet plate and rib cage can be adjusted so that the panels lie parallel to the horse's back
- The saddle tree is shaped so that it follows the curve of the horse's back
- The dimensions and elements of the saddle are adjustable and can be adapted to changes in the horse at any time
Which saddle model for which horse type?
In addition to the characteristics listed above, each horse and rider pair has individual requirements that must be taken into account when choosing the right saddle. Of course, everyone wants a perfectly built, well-muscled horse with an ideal saddle position.
However, the diversity of breeds and riding styles also brings with it a wide variety of horse types. There is a need for solutions for a particularly short horse, as well as for a baroque representative with a curved back and pronounced shoulder through to a sporty type with high withers.
Which saddle for short horses?
There are many short horses. From ponies to large horses, there are many representatives today with a relatively short back. This is rarely a problem for a small rider, but for riders with a slightly larger seat size, special attention should be paid to a large contact surface for even pressure distribution. Please do not be under the misapprehension that a saddle for a short horse must first and foremost be short. In order to avoid unpleasant pressure peaks at the back of the saddle, we need a large contact surface.
In addition to the large contact surface, we recommend a saddle with a central centre of gravity for short horses. Seat profiles that have the centre of gravity further back would put unnecessary pressure on the sensitive back area. In addition, the saddle tree and the padding should be slightly rounded at the rear so that the pressure at the rear of the back can be gently released.
Our experience shows that a saddle with a correspondingly large contact surface is the more comfortable solution for the horse compared to a short saddle with a short contact surface, even if the contact surface of the saddle extends beyond the ideal area of the saddle position or the last rib. This means that even on short horses, you can ride carefree with a saddle with a large contact area and offer your horse the highest possible level of comfort under the saddle.
Which saddle for wide horses?
Wider horses such as Haflingers, Friesians, Tinkers, Iberian breeds or cold-blooded horses need a saddle that is designed for a wide horse's back. The saddle trees of our OMEGA customised saddles are built for each horse according to its anatomy. For example, the saddle for wide horses is designed directly for a wide chamber over the withers, a wide ribcage or a more curved back.
Wider horses with less withers benefit from our almost U-shaped, adjustable gullet plate for a wide chamber. The gullet plate can be infinitely adjusted to any width. For wider horses with a wide gullet and very pronounced withers, we can provide sufficient height and freedom of movement high above the withers with our extra high gullet plate.
The gullet plate of our OMEGA customised saddles is offset backwards in its position and the saddle tree opens up at the front. In addition, the padding of the saddle panels can be cut out strongly over the shoulder so that the shoulder can rotate under the saddle and the horse has maximum freedom of movement.
A common problem with a saddle for short and wide horses without withers and a very round rump is an unstable position. These saddles often slide forwards during movement. A special saddle panel shape in the shoulder area can help here. With our OMEGA customised saddles, we can choose between differently cut panels in the shoulder area and the position of the girth straps also fixes the saddle in the best possible position to ensure a stable position on the horse's back.
Which saddle for narrow horses with high withers?
Slender or narrow-built horses often have more pronounced withers or a slightly protruding spine. This could be a young horse, a horse after a period of illness or a horse with a narrow type.
In these cases, the saddle trees of our OMEGA customised saddles are fitted directly with our extra high gullet plate for particularly high freedom of withers. These gullets enable a narrow chamber and plenty of space over the withers. If the spine protrudes slightly, the padding in the panels is slightly thicker and rounded next to the spine to guarantee freedom of the spine at all times.
