Buying a new horse saddle isn't a decision that any rider should take lightly.  Any saddle of fine quality will mean a sizeable outlay, and you certainly do not want to end up with a saddle which is uncomfortable for either yourself or your horse.  When you place an order for a saddle, you want to be absolutely certain that you have made the right choice. 

However, there is so much choice, with seemingly hundreds of synthetic and leather saddles on the market, that it can be very difficult to make a decision as to which will suit you and your horse best.  A rider searching around for their first saddle could easily be bewildered by all the saddle-related terms which are thrown around – flat and deep seats, long and short panels, and straight-cut and forward-cut flaps. 

With all these variations, it is important to think carefully before opting for one saddle over another.  Stubben, as one of the premier manufacturers of leather saddles in the world, is frequently approached by confused horse riders asking "Which saddle should I choose?"  Fortunately, this prestigious name is dedicated to helping match their customers with the right saddle for them, and provides an answer to this oft asked question on its website. 

Choosing a Stubben saddle
Stubben recommends that when faced with its extensive leather saddle selection, horse riders should stop and ask themselves a few simple questions to narrow down their choice.  This is because Stubben saddles are made to be most effective for a certain type of riding, and clearly on this basis not every saddle is going to be appropriate for every rider. 

Thus, the first question that should be asked is: "For what purpose do I use the saddle?" Generally speaking, most competitive riders will have a favoured discipline, whether it be dressage, jumping or eventing.  A rider who does a lot of dressage but little jumping will naturally be better off with a saddle specially designed for dressage, and vice versa.  Riders who enjoy eventing will need both a dressage saddle and a jumping saddle for the various phases of their competition.

If the answer to the question "For what purpose do I use the saddle?" is "for leisure riding", an all purpose saddle is usually the best choice for the rider.  However, Stubben all purpose saddles are divided into two groups.  The first group is the "VSS" range, which has a focus on jumping, cross country and riding short in the stirrups, whilst VSD saddles are made with emphasis towards dressage, pleasure riding, endurance and riding long in leathers.  Stubben's VSS saddles also make a good choice for those who are just starting in eventing. 

By choosing a saddle which has been designed for the discipline you will be doing, you can then be confident that it will suit your needs.  The next thing to be considered is "Will the saddle only be used by myself or will I be sharing it with someone else?"  If you are the only user of the saddle, ensure you get it made to your measurements.  Ideally, any riders sharing a saddle should be of similar height and weight, otherwise it will not fit properly. 

Find your perfect saddle at Dogwood
Dogwood is proud to have helped hundreds of horse riders discover their ideal Stubben saddle and maximise their riding experience.  We have a large selection of Stubben's luxurious leather saddles, which have all been made to the very highest standards by master craftsmen.  You can expect the best from a Stubben saddle, and you won't be disappointed.

Whether it is a youth saddle such as the Juventus S or D, the close contact Roxane S or one of the renowned Siegfried saddle line which catches your eye, you will find your perfect riding partner within the Dogwood collection.  If you are also looking for a bridle and other riding equipment to match your saddle, you are sure to discover all you need within our selection of Stubben horse tack.

For further information about Stubben saddles or any other product featured by Dogwood, please telephone us on 0845 30 10 365.