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The Ibero: Big Class for the "Little Ones" Too!
The Right Saddle for Ponies and Small Horses
They compete for top honors in Warendorf, shine in the dressage arena in Munich-Riem, and have impressively proven their strengths at the European Championships in Fontainebleau, France... we're talking about ponies! The abilities, intelligence and sensitivity of these little horses are often underestimated. And unfortunately, so are their saddle needs: the well-behaved school pony, the reliable childhood companion and the lively little leisure horse suffer from an ill-fitting, pressure-causing saddle just as much as the "big ones" do.
No Matter the Size – A Good Saddle Matters
Iberosattel® takes the saddle needs of ponies (and their tall and small riders) seriously: our extra-short dressage and Baroque saddles with adjustable gullet width are made to exactly the same high standard, and fitted by us and our partner saddlers with exactly the same care, as a saddle for an Arabian or a Lipizzaner.
Iberosattel® saddles can be made extra short – and are made and fitted for ponies and small horses with exactly the same care as saddles for the "big ones". — Saddles for Ponies and Small Horses
Ponies and Small Horses Table of Contents:
Uncomplicated Ponies? Not When It Comes to Finding a Saddle
Ponies are considered uncomplicated (we'll leave that debate aside) – but saddling them certainly isn't. The short, round pony back makes finding a saddle that fits both horse and rider especially challenging.
Common problems here include:
Common problems here include:
- The classic: standard saddles are far too long for the pony – but a grown rider's seat finds no room in pony saddles.
- Similarly common, but unfortunately not always noticed in time: once a saddle is found that's short enough and fits the rider, that same saddle causes pressure points. A typical reason, besides fitting flaws, is a bearing surface that's marginal or simply too small for the rider's weight.
- Many ponies and small horses are actually quite broad: off-the-shelf pony saddles then tend to be too narrow in the shoulder, too tight in the back and/or don't offer enough spinal freedom.
- And last but not least: the annoying slipping problem – the saddle doesn't get enough grip on the round pony back.
Pressure, slipping, not enough room for the rider: the short, broad back of many ponies and small horses makes finding a suitable saddle a challenge. — Fitting Flaws and Saddle Problems
How an Iberosattel® Can Solve These Saddle Problems
Iberosattel® saddles come in extremely short sizes – with completely normal seat sizes! We can go as short as 44 centimeters in saddle length – and still get an 18-inch seat out of it. And so that grown riders not only find comfortable room in the saddle, but the horse can also carry them comfortably and healthily, we've maximized the bearing surface of our short saddles.
The secret is the extra-wide Comfort Compact Pad: what's missing in bearing surface due to length, we make up for in width. This means the rider's weight is still distributed over a sufficiently large area even with our extra-short saddles. Saddle pressure stays within limits, and the saddle doesn't cause pressure even on long rides.
The wide bearing surface also increases the saddle's grip on the pony's back: really the only truly effective remedy against saddle slipping on horses with a round back and little wither. We can't work miracles, unfortunately – but with a wide pad and suitable girth solutions, we can get even the most stubborn slipping problems satisfactorily under control.
What's more, our saddles feature a saddle tree that's particularly well suited to broad horses – after all, we're Baroque horse specialists at heart. The gullet width, spinal channel width and padding of every Ibero can also be individually adjusted.
The secret is the extra-wide Comfort Compact Pad: what's missing in bearing surface due to length, we make up for in width. This means the rider's weight is still distributed over a sufficiently large area even with our extra-short saddles. Saddle pressure stays within limits, and the saddle doesn't cause pressure even on long rides.
The wide bearing surface also increases the saddle's grip on the pony's back: really the only truly effective remedy against saddle slipping on horses with a round back and little wither. We can't work miracles, unfortunately – but with a wide pad and suitable girth solutions, we can get even the most stubborn slipping problems satisfactorily under control.
What's more, our saddles feature a saddle tree that's particularly well suited to broad horses – after all, we're Baroque horse specialists at heart. The gullet width, spinal channel width and padding of every Ibero can also be individually adjusted.
Extra short with normal seat sizes, an extra-wide Comfort Compact Pad, a saddle tree with adjustable gullet width — What an Ibero Offers for Ponies and Small Horses
An Adjustable Saddle: Perfect for Late Bloomers, Occasional Loafers, and Growth Spurts
Between the ages of 3 and 6, ponies still change quite significantly. On top of that, there's the muscle build-up that comes with training. And – let's be honest... – there can also be muscle loss during lazier periods (or after a forced period of inactivity due to illness or injury).
Adjustable gullet width and easy re-padding of the Comfort Pad ensure that an Iberosattel® still fits perfectly once the young whippersnapper has grown into a fully grown little horse. Or once a chubby little pony has blossomed into a well-trained bundle of muscle. Or even if that bundle of muscle has, for whatever reason, lost a bit of condition for a while.
Adjustable gullet width and easy re-padding of the Comfort Pad ensure that an Iberosattel® still fits perfectly once the young whippersnapper has grown into a fully grown little horse. Or once a chubby little pony has blossomed into a well-trained bundle of muscle. Or even if that bundle of muscle has, for whatever reason, lost a bit of condition for a while.
Our saddles grow with your horse – because only a well-fitting saddle lets a pony truly give its best. — Adjustable Gullet, Re-Padding Made Easy
An "Ibero": Sticks with You and Your Pony Through Thick and Thin
A relaxed hack, the dressage arena, trail riding, circus lessons, trail, cavaletti training: whatever you have planned with your pony or small horse, an Iberosattel® cuts a fine figure. Many of our saddles are designed specifically to support the varied interests and needs of modern leisure riders. Large bearing surface, light weight, close contact with the horse, a comfortable seat even on long rides – you can rely on your Ibero!
And as mentioned: our saddles can be adjusted by a professional at any time. Pick up the phone if something about the fit no longer seems quite right: we and our partner saddlers are always there for you!
And as mentioned: our saddles can be adjusted by a professional at any time. Pick up the phone if something about the fit no longer seems quite right: we and our partner saddlers are always there for you!
A leisure saddle that truly does it all – and fits for a horse's entire lifetime. — Versatile and Adjustable
These Are the Benefits of an Iberosattel® for Ponies and Small Horses
- The large bearing surface distributes the rider's weight evenly.
- The Comfort Compact Pad is cut especially short, making it perfect for ponies and short horses.
- Saddle length down to as little as 44 cm with seat sizes of 17.5 and 18!
- Made-to-measure spinal channel width.
- Even on horses with rounder shapes, an Ibero won't slip.
- An Iberosattel® offers freedom for the loin area.
- The shoulder is free of the rider's weight and can work unhindered.
- For maximum seating comfort even at the trot, there's the Amazona Solution.
Which Ibero Is Especially Well-Suited to Ponies and Small Horses
Our smallest, shortest classics are the El Primero, the Alpha Vaquero and the Doma Classica: all three can be made especially short – and are very versatile, with the Doma Classica leaning more towards the Spanish saddle style.
Specifically for ponies and small horses, there's now a dedicated standard model: the El Piccolino – a saddle whose dimensions are entirely tailored to the very smallest horses, with an extra-wide bearing surface and a distinctive look.
Specifically for ponies and small horses, there's now a dedicated standard model: the El Piccolino – a saddle whose dimensions are entirely tailored to the very smallest horses, with an extra-wide bearing surface and a distinctive look.
Our smallest saddles: El Piccolino, Alpha Vaquero, Doma Classica, El Primero. — Iberosattel® for Ponies and Small Horses
What Our Customers Say
Denise S. with Connemara Pony Marcus and El Primero
A few criteria like not too long, visually appealing, large bearing surface, easy to adjust, also comfortable for the rider and easy to care for had to be met. Since I already knew Ibero saddles from friends and had them recommended to me, after a long search my decision fell on an El Primero in a special color.
My Connemara pony simply feels completely at ease and moves much more freely. I'm also thrilled with my El Primero, because it's so comfortable that I never want to get off again.
My Connemara pony simply feels completely at ease and moves much more freely. I'm also thrilled with my El Primero, because it's so comfortable that I never want to get off again.
Daniela E. with Dales Pony Mare and Doma Classica
The saddle has finally arrived and, in one word, it's simply BRILLIANT! Both the service and the quality speak for themselves.
Since unpacking, saddling up and the first sessions with the new equipment, we can look forward to the future with real peace of mind. The Doma Classica saddle isn't just comfort for me, but definitely for my pony too, who now visibly moves more relaxed. The saddle doesn't just meet my expectations visually, but also in terms of fit.
Since unpacking, saddling up and the first sessions with the new equipment, we can look forward to the future with real peace of mind. The Doma Classica saddle isn't just comfort for me, but definitely for my pony too, who now visibly moves more relaxed. The saddle doesn't just meet my expectations visually, but also in terms of fit.
Customer Impressions
Our Saddle Service Comes with That
High standards for saddle fit and quality can only be met with personal advice. Buying a saddle from Iberosattel® always includes a saddle appointment: in Bavaria, we come to you in person; in other German states and neighboring countries, you arrange the appointment with one of our partner saddlers.
Take a really close look at our saddles, put them thoroughly through their paces with a test ride – and ask us anything you like. We'll take a look at your horse's back and your riding seat, and advise you on which saddle is best suited to you and your pony or small horse.
If you'd like to order an Iberosattel®, we measure your horse – because gullet width and padding are individually adjusted for every one of our saddles. Saddles in our Premium Line are made to measure, and here you also have a number of additional choices when it comes to saddle look and features.
Once the saddle is finished, we won't just send you off to ride on a wing and a prayer: the first follow-up check – and any necessary adjustments – are included. You're welcome to get in touch with us again later too – for example, when it's time to re-pad or readjust the saddle.
Take a really close look at our saddles, put them thoroughly through their paces with a test ride – and ask us anything you like. We'll take a look at your horse's back and your riding seat, and advise you on which saddle is best suited to you and your pony or small horse.
If you'd like to order an Iberosattel®, we measure your horse – because gullet width and padding are individually adjusted for every one of our saddles. Saddles in our Premium Line are made to measure, and here you also have a number of additional choices when it comes to saddle look and features.
Once the saddle is finished, we won't just send you off to ride on a wing and a prayer: the first follow-up check – and any necessary adjustments – are included. You're welcome to get in touch with us again later too – for example, when it's time to re-pad or readjust the saddle.
Get in Touch
Hotline: 09179 / 964117
For Ponies and Small Horses: The Comfort Compact Pad
For short and wide pony and small horse backs: The Comfort Compact Pad
The El Piccolino: Our Saddle for the Smallest of the Short Ones
For Ponies and Small Horses: The El Piccolino
Extra-wide bearing surface, individually fitted, adjustable: all the Iberosattel® advantages, in a small format too.