Advice from the horse's mouth on fitting a Stubben saddle

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Every horse rider has a different body shape and size. It is important to get a saddle that perfectly fits your proportions because it can improve your riding posture immensely, as well as making riding more comfortable for both you and your horse.

It can take some time to find the perfect horse saddle but once you have found it, you wont want to let it go. With over a hundred years of saddling experience, the master horse tack designers at Stubben provide guidance on how to choose a saddle that will fit you like a dream.

The below is our interpretation of the advice given by Stubben for fitting a rider:

The twist

A horse saddle with a narrow twist - the narrowest portion of the seat when looking down on it - will provide excellent support to those who have a rounded thigh muscle. Stubben saddles are designed with this in mind, thus allowing the thigh and knee to lie very well against the horse and the rider to get the support they need.

The curve and dip of the seat of a Stubben saddle work together to ensure the rider can move smoothly and without hindrance. The combination of these design features allows an equestrian to improve performance in a range of disciplines, including jumping and dressage.

The dimensions of the seat

A saddle should be large enough that the horse rider can sit comfortably in the deepest part of the seat. This is particularly important in terms of being balanced, as the rider may tip forwards or backwards otherwise.

A deeper seat will provide better security for the horse rider. Most of the jumping saddles in Stubbens range, such as the Roxane S and the Juventus S, have deep seats, as does the Juventus D, a dressage saddle.

Stubben also recommends that there should be a minimum of a palms width between the cantle and the buttocks, which will give enough room for movement so the rider can move naturally in the saddle.

Stubben reminds riders that it is also vital to take the length of the seat into consideration when choosing a saddle. Just like people, the proportions of horses can differ dramatically and must be catered for in order to make the saddle fit snugly and comfortably.

The flaps

The flaps are an important area of the saddle that allow the equestrian to have important contact with the horse through the legs. The better the saddle fits, the closer the contact and the better the communication will be.

Clearly some horse riders will have longer legs than others and one size saddle will not do for them all. A well-fitting horse saddle will have flaps of such a length that the top of the riding boots do not brush against them, whilst not so long that they stop the riders legs from having contact with the horse.

Stubben saddles do not come with a set flap length, instead coming in a range of sizes so that the saddle will be a perfect match for the horse rider.

Smart, stylish Stubben saddles at Dogwood

Not only are Stubben saddles carefully designed for superb rider fitting but they are also exceptionally stylish. The use of superior materials and flattering styles in Stubben saddles mean that you can look elegant while riding as well as improving your comfort and riding posture.

The Stubben range at Dogwood is not confined to saddles. It also extends to bridles, girths, saddle cloths, stirrup leathers and a selection of versatile horse accessories that are made from nothing but the finest components. This means that you can have a set of matching horse tack for looking especially smart at horse shows or simply if you like to go for a ride on a well turned- out horse.

You can also find a selection of fashionable country clothing at Dogwood. There is something for all conditions so you know you are prepared to handle whatever the weather throws at you. Browse the range and discover classics such as "The Original" Hunter Wellington boots and the Hunter Selkirk waxed jacket.

If you would like more information about Stubben horse tack or any other product in the Dogwood collection, please telephone 0845 30 10 365.

The history of Stubben

Stubben leather saddles

Stubben Juventus D Saddle

Stubben Avalon Dressage Saddle

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