The Right Saddle for the Paso Peruano

The South American Paso Peruano is considered the most comfortable horse in the world. His jolt-free gait makes the Paso perfect for rides out in nature. With his special build, however, he places his own very particular demands on a perfectly fitting saddle.

A Saddle for Your Paso Peruano: Models and Info on Iberosattel®

El Primero Alpha Vaquero Vaquero Breitschaft Vaquero Mexicano Ibero Amazona Comfort Ibero Escuela Doma Classica

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A Comfortable Saddle for the Most Comfortable Horse in the World

Who wouldn't love to ride a Paso Peruano at least once? This South American breed only became known in Germany in the 1970s and is still something of an exotic rarity here today. Even so, the Paso Peruano has made a real name for itself among horse lovers – as the most comfortable horse in the world. Anyone who has ever sat on a Paso is quite likely hooked for life: no other horse gives you the comfort of this natural gaited breed.

The Sofa with Temperament

The declared aim of breeding the Paso Peruano is a practically jolt-free gait. The magic lies in the genetically inherited Paso Llano, a soft, far-reaching lateral gait in which the front legs move with a sideways, paddling motion that is completely unique among horse breeds.

The result is a brisk forward motion that has virtually no vertical component at all. For the rider, this means: no floating and jarring, no rocking up and down that has to be absorbed by sitting deep. For riders with spinal issues, a Paso can be a lifesaver – in other words, an alternative to giving up riding altogether.

An Endurance Marvel for the Trail

But don't for a second think this South American gaited horse is boring! Here you really get it all in one package: a spirited, forward-going horse that makes it easy for you. An endurance marvel that will carry you long distances at a brisk pace and in the greatest comfort.

Anyone who owns a Paso Peruano is drawn to the trail. On long rides, on nature paths, out trail riding, this handsome, clever Peruvian is in his element. All the more important, then: the right saddle. The longer you spend in the saddle, the more essential an absolutely flawless saddle fit becomes for horse and rider alike.

A Paso Peruano is an endurance horse that's drawn to the trail. — The Perfect Horse for Trail Riding

What to Especially Watch for When Buying a Saddle for the Paso

A Comfortable Saddle for Your Paso Peruano

Square-built horse: The Paso is what's known as a square-built horse – body length and wither height are roughly equal. The relatively short back increases this horse type's load-bearing capacity and endurance, but can become a challenge when fitting a saddle. Conventional saddles are often too long and/or too narrow for the Paso. You need a rather short saddle with a rather wide gullet. The best thing you can do: have your horse measured and the saddle individually fitted!

Shoulder freedom: The Paso needs perfect shoulder freedom: due to his special lateral shoulder swing, the shoulder blade rotates more than in other horses. Make sure the shoulder can glide easily under the saddle with every step.

Bearing surface: Treat your Paso to a saddle with as generous a bearing surface as possible (of course within the anatomically appropriate saddle area between the last rib and the shoulder girdle) – this distributes the rider's weight better. That protects the horse's back and avoids pressure points.

A Saddle That Fits Both Horse and Rider

And: choose a saddle in which you sit absolutely well and comfortably. A half-flat, well-padded seat is ideal. A Baroque saddle with its typical galleries gives you extra support when the going gets hilly – and, thanks to its Spanish-inspired look, also suits this exotic breed rather well. Long knee rolls are a matter of taste – but on extended rides, you will likely appreciate the extra support for your thighs.

The Paso Peruano has a short back and needs plenty of shoulder freedom. — A Square-Built Horse With Its Own Demands on the Perfect Saddle

An Iberosattel® Could Be the Right Saddle for Your Paso

We are the saddle specialists for horses of the Baroque type: our made-to-measure saddle models can be superbly fitted to short, broad horses of the most varied breeds. We've found unique, field-tested solutions to optimize a saddle's bearing surface even on short horses, to guarantee shoulder, wither, spinal and loin freedom, or to improve the saddle fit on round-backed horses. Your Paso Peruano can benefit from that too!

Iberosattel® Saddles Offer:

Synthetic saddle trees with forged head plates that fit square-built horses well
easily adjustable gullet width: the saddle grows with your horse
optional: EWF saddle tree with integrated head plate for additional wither and shoulder freedom
a made-to-measure spinal channel
Made-to-measure Comfort Pad: an individually optimized, large bearing surface even on short-backed horses; thin, multi-layer padding for good contact with the horse
girth solutions with a point strap: no slipping of the saddle even with a difficult saddle position
various seat sizes and depths
various knee roll shapes

What Our Customers Say About Their Iberosattel®

Uschi A.: "...everything worked out great, and it's very comfortable for me to sit in too."

"I ride a lot on the trail and also enjoy going on multi-day rides with luggage; on a tour like that, my horse carries his saddle for several hours a day. That's why it's very important to me that the saddle fits perfectly. Ibero managed that too. I've already ridden several tours with my El Primero and everything worked out great, and it's very comfortable for me to sit in too."

Trail Riding with Iberosattel®

Denise B.: "I was immediately so incredibly impressed..."

"... I was immediately so incredibly impressed, since I could influence my horse with just my breathing. The saddle was fitted to my Friesian and I had the chance to choose the colors of the leather, the stitching and a decorative seam. You can be endlessly creative with it!"

Iberosattel® on a Short Horse

We Measure Your Paso Peruano On-Site – for the Perfect Fit

Every one of our Premium saddles is individually made for you and your horse following a careful measuring of the horse's back. Numerous selectable options, from seat size and depth to the seating and shape of the knee rolls and the cut of the flaps, right through to material, color and decorative details, make the finished saddle a one-of-a-kind piece that fully matches your wishes and needs. Naturally, Iberosattel®'s service includes a follow-up check after the saddle purchase, as well as readjusting and re-padding on site.

We're based in Bavaria, but cooperate with experienced saddlers throughout Germany. No matter where you live: our own saddle experts or our partner saddlers will gladly come to you for a consultation appointment with a fitting of various models and measuring of your horse.

Hotline: 09179 / 964117

A Wide Saddle Pad for Your Paso Peruano

For broad horse backs: The wide Comfort Pad

More information on the
short, wide Baroque pad >>

We Individually Adjust the Spinal Channel to Your Horse!

For your horse's comfort: measuring for an adequately wide spinal channel

To give your horse adequate freedom of movement and reduce pressure on the spine, the panel channel of a saddle must be individually adjusted for every horse.

At Iberosattel®, we take this fitting seriously and arrange a saddle appointment with you and your horse.