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The Right Saddle for Iberian Horses
Iberian saddles are made for riding – enduring and comfortable. For a long working day on horseback.
To fulfil this task, they are characterized by:
To fulfil this task, they are characterized by:
- high cantles and pommels,
- angular saddle flaps,
- no knee blocks, and
- a wide bearing surface.
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Iberian Saddle: Comfortable for Long Days in the Saddle
For horses with Iberian roots, an Iberian saddle is the obvious, traditional choice. Anyone wishing for such a saddle often thinks of the look first: an Iberian saddle, perhaps with a stylish sheepskin cover and matching bridle, is simply very clearly "something different" from conventional English saddles. But the unmistakable look, as with all genuine traditions, is closely linked to the "inner values" of such a saddle. And it's these that ultimately make an Iberian saddle a great choice for our Iberian horses (and many others).
... but what exactly is an Iberian saddle?
Immediately noticeable on a classic Iberian saddle are, of course, the raised pommel and cantle at front and back, the angular cut of the saddle flaps and the absence of knee blocks. More important, though, is the following: Iberian saddles rest on the horse's back over a very wide area. This distributes the rider's weight optimally over the horse's back, which makes these saddles exceptionally horse-friendly. As a rule, they're also very comfortable for the rider – even if the equally typical flat seat can be a challenge for riders used to a rather deep dressage seat.
In the fully traditional version, Iberian saddles are built on a wooden tree and padded with thick panels stuffed with horsehair. The advantage of horsehair padding is that, with prolonged use of the saddle, it increasingly adapts to the individual swing and range of motion of the horse's back.
The "culprit" behind the prejudice that you can't rise to the trot in an Iberian saddle, incidentally, is the Portuguese bullfighting saddle, whose pronounced pommel and cantle seat the rider "rock solid" for good reason, preventing them from rising out of the saddle. With other Iberian saddles, rising trot is entirely possible; for jumping, however, the Iberian saddle type really isn't well suited.
The "culprit" behind the prejudice that you can't rise to the trot in an Iberian saddle, incidentally, is the Portuguese bullfighting saddle, whose pronounced pommel and cantle seat the rider "rock solid" for good reason, preventing them from rising out of the saddle. With other Iberian saddles, rising trot is entirely possible; for jumping, however, the Iberian saddle type really isn't well suited.
Wooden tree and horsehair for individual swing and range of motion. — The traditional Iberian saddle carries some real weight.
Iberian Saddle vs. English Saddle
Compared with the Iberian saddle, which has preserved many features of the baroque saddles common throughout Europe up to the 18th century, the later English saddles are built as lightly as possible and have only a very narrow bearing surface on the horse's back, cushioned by equally narrow saddle panels (traditionally stuffed with wool). Also characteristic are the plain shape without pommel or cantle and the rounded saddle flaps with knee blocks.
Comfort vs. Functionality
If you wanted to sum up the difference between the two saddle types, which practically embody two different saddle philosophies, in a simple formula, you could say: the English saddle was designed for short-term peak performance (originally for hunting), where comfort and protection for horse and rider are not a priority – and the Iberian saddle for a long (working) day on horseback.
In an English saddle, you don't necessarily sit especially comfortably; this saddle puts rider and horse, so to speak, "under tension": you have to maintain your posture, be fully present with yourself and the horse, and your weight aids are – via saddle pressure – absolutely unmistakable for the horse (which tends to mean uncomfortable). The Iberian saddle, on the other hand, makes truly relaxed riding possible. You and your horse spend a lot of time together, a perfectly attuned team that can also simply "amble along" for hours at a time. The priority here is that you both stay healthy and get through the day in a good mood. No wonder this saddle type is especially popular today among trail riders.
English saddles are built to perform, Iberian saddles to offer enduring comfort. — Iberian saddles are wide and comfortable.
The Modern Iberian Saddle
Modern Iberian saddles differ from their classic predecessors in a few respects. These changes are genuinely changes for the better, though they have adapted the philosophy of the Iberian saddle somewhat to our modern, impatient times.
Synthetic trees instead of wood and lightweight synthetic padding instead of horsehair have considerably slimmed down the Spanish saddle in terms of weight.
Synthetic trees instead of wood and lightweight synthetic padding instead of horsehair have considerably slimmed down the Spanish saddle in terms of weight.
Traditional Saddle, Modern Design, Adjustable to Your Horse's Measurements
Nobody has to spend months "riding a saddle in" any more – but it should definitely be well adjusted from the very start. A great positive innovation in this respect are Iberian saddles whose tree width can be adjusted. Thanks to this easy readjustment, the saddle can accompany your horse for a lifetime – from young horse, through the fully trained adult animal, to senior – and can often even be "passed on" without any compromise to the fit.
Also retained in the modern Iberian saddle are the wide bearing surface, the comfortable seat and the more or less pronounced pommel and cantle. Anyone who doesn't want to do without knee blocks, on the other hand, will have no trouble today finding an Iberian saddle to their taste: manufacturers equip even very traditional-looking models with knee blocks or Velcro blocks on request.
Also retained in the modern Iberian saddle are the wide bearing surface, the comfortable seat and the more or less pronounced pommel and cantle. Anyone who doesn't want to do without knee blocks, on the other hand, will have no trouble today finding an Iberian saddle to their taste: manufacturers equip even very traditional-looking models with knee blocks or Velcro blocks on request.
Synthetic tree, lightweight synthetic padding and adjustable tree width. — Modern Iberian saddles are adaptable and lighter.
Which Horses Are Iberian Saddles Suited For?
First of all: any horse that should be ridden in a back-friendly way needs a saddle with as large a bearing surface as possible. Iberian saddles, however, were primarily designed for the horse type once common on the Iberian Peninsula, with a short, wide back, round ribs and rather little wither.
Traditionally, Iberian saddles are made for the classic Iberian breeds:
Traditionally, Iberian saddles are made for the classic Iberian breeds:
- PREs,
- Andalusians,
- Cartujanos,
- Lusitanos, and
- various crosses of Spanish horses with Arabians and / or Thoroughbreds.
- Arabians,
- Knabstruppers,
- Tinkers,
- Lipizzaners, and
- rounder pony and small horse breeds such as Haflingers or Icelandic horses.
Where Can I Get an Iberian Saddle?
From us, for example! We are Iberosattel, a saddlery from Freystadt in Bavaria. Our saddle business first developed as an "offshoot" of our own private stud: we keep, ride and breed Iberian horses of the Pura Raza Española with real passion. Naturally, we love the look and comfort of Iberian saddles – but we've also come to know their quirks and pitfalls, including the considerable difficulties involved when one of these gorgeous traditional pieces needs re-padding.
Iberian-Inspired Baroque Saddles
So we simply developed our own baroque saddles inspired by the Iberian model – lightweight, adjustable in tree width, made from up-to-date materials (and the finest leather), noticeably easier to re-pad, more versatile than the traditional Iberian classic – but without question genuinely Iberian saddles at heart: great, horse-friendly riding saddles with an extra-wide bearing surface, perfect for the trail and for trail riding. In other words, Iberosattel® saddles that we make individually to the measurements of your horse – and your preferences regarding look and extras (lovers of Iberian saddles are often particularly individual here!).
Our Saddles for Iberian Horses
Anyone who insists on a wooden tree, horsehair and straw will find what they're looking for elsewhere. Anyone who, like us, wants to keep tradition alive and practical for everyday use should get to know our Spanish-inspired saddles:
- The Vaquero Mexicano is especially closely modelled on the classic original, but has a fairly deep seat that also allows for dressage movements.
- The Ibero Classic Plus has small knee blocks despite its unmistakably Spanish-baroque look – and a removable rear cantle, thanks to which it may even compete at dressage tournaments.
- The Ibero Escuela is modelled on the Spanish school saddle: here, Iberian and baroque tradition meet in a saddle with a semi-flat seat that gives you plenty of freedom of movement; with a fantastically comfortable rear cantle shaped from the seat and hinted-at knee blocks.
- With no rear cantle at all, and a wide, padded front pommel that blends seamlessly into large, soft vaquero-style knee blocks, our Alpha Vaquero takes a somewhat looser approach to the Spanish look. With it, you get a genuine all-rounder saddle, equally well suited to the trail and the dressage arena.
What Our Customers Say About Iberosattel®
Chris W.: "We are very happy and say: thank you! ..."
"Occasionally I try the Western saddle or the fur saddle, but Luke simply likes to move best with the Vaquero Breitschaft. I'm very happy that we currently have a good saddle and hope it will accompany us for a long time."
Felicitas P. with the Alpha Vaquero: "I'm glad I chose Iberosattel®! ..."
"For a few weeks now I've been riding my 5-year-old Arabian Damis about once a week, and he really moves beautifully in the saddle. I'm glad I chose Iberosattel®!"
Interested? Feel free to arrange a saddle-fitting and consultation appointment at your location! We (or one of our partner saddlers outside Bavaria) will come to you, with Iberian saddles for trying out in tow.
Hotline: 09179 / 964117
Wide Comfort Pad
For wide horse backs: The wide Comfort Pad
More information on the
short, wide Comfort Pad >>
short, wide Comfort Pad >>
We Individually Adjust the Spinal Channel to Your Horse!
For your horse's comfort: measuring for a sufficiently wide spinal channel
To give your horse sufficient freedom of movement and reduce pressure on the spine, the saddle's panel channel must be individually adjusted for each animal.
At Iberosattel®, we take this adjustment seriously and arrange a saddle-fitting appointment with you and your horse.
At Iberosattel®, we take this adjustment seriously and arrange a saddle-fitting appointment with you and your horse.