Tack and Gear
Insights on dressage tack and gear, plus how to maintain it.
The Latest
Lifestyle
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip – Are you a Woman Riding in a Saddle Made for a Man?
Lifestyle
Why Do Dressage Saddles Have Gussets?
Master Saddler Kay Hastilow explains why dressage saddles have gussets.
Lifestyle
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip – 15 Factors Affecting Saddle Fit!
Lifestyle
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip – Traumatizing Your Horse?
Enjoy the latest interview excerpt with Jochen Schleese about his book "Suffering in Silence - The saddle-Fit Link to Physical & Psychological Trauma in Horses"?
Lifestyle
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip 9 – Saddle Tree Width
The tree width should be wide enough for the saddle to fit when the horse is in movement.
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Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip 8 – Saddle Tree Angle
Saddle Tree/Shoulder Angle: The panel tree points should be parallel to the shoulder angle to position saddle properly.
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Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip 7 – Saddle Straightness
A saddle should not fall off to one side when viewed from the front or back. Tree points should be positioned behind both scapuale (shoulder blades).
Lifestyle
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip 6 – Saddle Length
A horse's shoulder and loin area should never carry any weight of a rider. Rider weight should be carried on the saddle support area only and never extending past the last supporting rib or sliding up on to the horse's shoulder.
Lifestyle
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip 5 – Billet Alignment
The saddle's billets should hang perpendicular to the ground so that the girth is not angled (forwardwards or backwards) and is allowed to be positioned properly. The girth will always find its natural position at the narrowest point behind the elbow.
Lifestyle
Jochen Schleese Saddle Fitting Tip 4 – Full Panel Contact
The panel should touch the horse's back evenly all the way from front to back. Some panels may be off the back end to allow the back to come up during engagement.