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Saddle Philosophy

Horses are our best teachers for natural movement. However, when we interfere with their freedom of movement, we are on the wrong path. The shoulder muscles of the horse demonstrate significant tension and growth when the forehand is engaged. If the horse feels restricted in its shoulder movement, it directly affects its range of motion. This is why poorly fitting saddles are often the cause of many issues, such as tension and damage to the back muscles and spinous processes.

Therefore, in developing our saddles, we focus on merging the experience and knowledge of the best riders in Icelandic horse sports with modern technology.

Our saddles are equipped with the SoftSwing saddle tree, providing flexibility and optimal weight distribution. The wide gullet and broad saddle panels allow the horse's back to move freely. Especially with shorter horses, where the hindquarters extend significantly into the saddle area, the saddle should not interfere with the back but rather move smoothly with the horse's motion.

But we don’t just pay attention to the inside of the saddle; the exterior must also appeal to the discerning eye of our customers.

To meet all these criteria, we rely on outstanding leather quality and craftsmanship. Our trained eye for skill and style leaves nothing to be desired.

The saddle tree is the heart of the saddle. Its development and continuous improvement are always our top priority. That’s why all Topreiter saddles are equipped with our specially developed SoftSwing saddle tree.

The modern SoftSwing technology represents the perfect symbiosis of exquisite engineering and the highest demands for functionality and materials. With a steel spring embedded in plastic, the saddle tree is flexible and elastic, allowing for maximum freedom of movement for the horse while optimally distributing the rider's weight across the horse's back.

All saddles can be professionally adjusted by us or a trusted specialist. We can also respond to changes in the horse's conformation and musculature by widening or narrowing the gullet - tailored to individual needs.

A SoftSwing saddle tree - limitless possibilities.

To create the greatest design flexibility for your saddle, many of our saddles are equipped with the Change-System. This allows you to choose from various girthing options at any time. For instance, if you opted for a V-girth, a simple short girth, or a long girth with a foregirth when purchasing your saddle, the Change-System enables you to change the girthing style easily. This is made possible by purchasing individual girth straps that you can attach to your saddle yourself.

For the filling of our saddles, depending on the model, we use either traditional wool filling or a latex foam cushion.

The use of synthetic wool prevents moisture (such as water, sweat, etc.) from being absorbed into the saddle, thus avoiding matting and tangling of the saddle filling. Saddles with wool filling can be repadded or adjusted later on.

Latex foam cushions are made from molded foam that returns to its original shape repeatedly. These cushions are extremely soft and flexible, offering maximum comfort for both rider and horse.

Our vegetable-tanned cowhide is sourced exclusively from Europe (primarily Germany, Italy, and England). Due to its special processing, it is extremely durable and withstands the demands of equestrian sports, remaining in TOP condition.

We are confident in the quality of our handcrafted saddles and provide a guarantee for each individual model. For instance, we offer a 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects in the SoftSwing saddle tree, as well as a 1-year warranty against any leather manufacturing defects.

The warranty period is determined by the date of purchase.

The costs for the delivery and return of the saddle to and from Topreiter for warranty purposes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Please contact us in the event of a potential warranty claim. We are available from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at +49 (0) 5034 / 87 01 44. You can also reach us at info@topreiter.de or via the contact form.

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Required Materials:

  • A3 sheet
  • Pen
  • Wires (e.g. from dry cleaning or garden wire, approx. 40 cm long)

How to Find the Perfect-Fitting Saddle for Your Icelandic Horse:

  1. Measure the Width:

    • Start three fingers' width behind the shoulder blade. This is your first width measurement.
    • Measure the second and third width measurements at intervals of 15 cm.
    • For horses with a short back, choose a smaller distance between the wires to ensure the saddle does not sit behind the last rib.
  2. Adjust the Wires:

    • Shape the three wires so that they lie across the horse's back, ensuring there are no gaps between the horse's back and the wire.
    • Adjust the wires at the three specified points.
  3. Transfer to the A3 Sheet:

    • Place the wires on the A3 sheet according to the sketch.
    • Trace the inner side of the wires with the pen.
  4. Determine the Length:

    • Take the fourth wire and lay it longitudinally along the horse's spine. Ensure there are no gaps between the wire and the horse's back.
    • The wire should extend beyond the width measurement points.
  5. Transfer the Length Measurement:

    • Transfer the length measurement to the A3 sheet, indicating the width measurements in "cm."

Done! Now you can send your sketch along with the other documents to us!

TOP_REITER SADDLE MEASUREMENT GUIDE

TOP_REITER SADDLE MEASUREMENT SKETCH

TOP_REITER SADDLE MEASUREMENT COVER LETTER