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The Right Saddle for Trotters
There's no such thing as a typical Trotter: trotting racehorses come in all shapes and sizes. Still, if a former racehorse is to become a riding horse, there are a few things worth keeping in mind when it comes to choosing a saddle for a Trotter:
Find out here how to choose the right saddle for your Trotter.
- the muscling specific to Trotters, which differs from that of riding horses
- inexperience with the canter and with riding aids
- a racing trot that riders often find uncomfortable
Find out here how to choose the right saddle for your Trotter.
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From the Racetrack to a Leisure Horse: A New Life for the Ex-Racehorse
Trotters are harness racehorses, bred and trained for a racing career at the trot. When such a former athlete's racing career ends, a whole new chapter can begin: as a versatile, enjoyable leisure and riding horse.
Cantering Is Forbidden. And Almost Everything Means: Forward!
With an ex-athlete, you get a quick and clever horse that was already trained and pushed intensively at a very young age. For this reason, Trotters are generally quick learners, people-oriented and willing to perform. Even so, they have a reputation for being fidgety and complicated. That's because these horses were trained in a completely different sporting tradition. They barely know the leg and weight aids so important in dressage, but often react unexpectedly to the reins for riders unfamiliar with Trotters. They've also learned to avoid gaits other than the trot, since the canter in particular is unwanted in harness racing.
When "retraining" for riding, Trotters need patient teachers who understand their special situation – and a carefully chosen, well-fitted saddle. It's worth it: thanks to their ground-covering gaits and stamina, Trotters have what it takes to become wonderful riding horses.
When "retraining" for riding, Trotters need patient teachers who understand their special situation – and a carefully chosen, well-fitted saddle. It's worth it: thanks to their ground-covering gaits and stamina, Trotters have what it takes to become wonderful riding horses.
Trotters need to be carefully introduced to gaits like the canter as well as to leg and weight aids. — From Trot to Canter
What Riders Especially Need to Watch for When Buying a Saddle for a Trotter
Because Trotters range from Baroque types to Thoroughbred types, saddle recommendations without having seen the horse make even less sense for these horses than for other breeds. Still, there are a few things you should definitely keep in mind.
1. Little Developed Back Muscling
Because Trotters are rarely ridden, their back muscling is (initially) not very developed. (Curiously, many Trotters also have a certain asymmetry in their muscling, which comes from always going around the racetrack in only one direction.)
A consistently back-friendly saddle is therefore an absolute must for Trotters. Being back-friendly means, on the one hand, a lightweight build and a perfect saddle fit, and on the other hand, a maximized bearing surface within the anatomically available saddle area: a saddle that distributes the rider's weight over a larger area reduces the pressure on the horse's back.
A consistently back-friendly saddle is therefore an absolute must for Trotters. Being back-friendly means, on the one hand, a lightweight build and a perfect saddle fit, and on the other hand, a maximized bearing surface within the anatomically available saddle area: a saddle that distributes the rider's weight over a larger area reduces the pressure on the horse's back.
2. Racing Muscles Become Riding Muscles
The muscling, and therefore the "size," of your Trotter is likely to change further in the near future: racing muscles will decrease and riding muscles will develop. So it's best to invest in a saddle whose gullet width (spinal channel width) can be adjusted – otherwise you might find yourself needing a new saddle again after just six months.
3. Overbuilt Hindquarters
Trotters sometimes have overbuilt hindquarters: the croup sits a little higher than the withers. If that's the case with your Trotter, make sure the saddle also sits correctly in the middle, and that the saddle padding doesn't additionally lift the back of the saddle (conventional wedge-pad padding does exactly that). If the horse is markedly overbuilt, you're best off with a rather short saddle, since this won't be pushed forward by the hindquarters and constrict the shoulder.
4. A Racing Trot That Riders Find Uncomfortable
Many riders find the lurching "racing trot" that a not-yet-gymnasticized Trotter first shows quite uncomfortable. Make it a little easier on yourself: with a saddle in which you sit especially comfortably.
Seat depth, knee rolls, perhaps a Baroque saddle with galleries – to find out which combination of features is especially comfortable for you, there is only one way to know for sure: test-ride several saddle models.
Seat depth, knee rolls, perhaps a Baroque saddle with galleries – to find out which combination of features is especially comfortable for you, there is only one way to know for sure: test-ride several saddle models.
A usually short, back-friendly saddle with a wide spinal channel that is also comfortable for the rider. — Trotters Have Their Own Requirements for a Saddle
An Iberosattel® Could Be the Right Saddle for Trotters of Warmblood and Baroque Type
Is your Trotter a somewhat sturdier Warmblood or Baroque type? Then you've come to the right place: our saddles are made especially for horses with such proportions.
What You Should Know About Iberosattel®:
- Adjustable gullet width: The forged head plates of our lightweight synthetic saddle trees can be adjusted steplessly and swapped out: the gullet width of every saddle tree is therefore variable across a wide range.
- Adjustable spinal channel: Unlike conventional saddles with wedge pads, the width of the spinal channel on our saddles with Comfort Pad can be changed completely without hassle. This is also very important if the back muscling of your Trotter changes.
- Back-friendly padding: The Comfort Pad is our patented saddle padding. Instead of thick, narrow wedge pads, you get especially back-friendly, broadly resting padding that can be individually adjusted to the horse's back. The compact version of the pad also gets the maximum bearing surface out of short saddles.
- Made-to-measure production: We put together your dream saddle for you. Among other things, you can choose from several options for seat depth and knee rolls with every saddle model. And most importantly: the saddle is only made after we've carefully measured your horse's back on site. At this appointment, you also have the chance to get extensive advice and test-ride various saddle models.
Our Customers Rave About Their Iberosattel®
Felicitas P. with Alpha Vaquero on Arabian Damis: "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 with the saddle. I'm glad I chose Iberosattel®!"
Katrin R. with Dressage Andaluz on Arabian Mare Gui: "I was absolutely thrilled by our progress ..."
"I am endlessly grateful to have gotten our wonderful dressage saddle. Without it, Gui and I probably would have kept moving in that vicious circle of pain and frustration, and would never have reached the point of trust and joy we're at today. I might even have parted ways with her. Thank you so much, dear Iberosattel® team, for your part in that!"
We'll Find the Perfect Saddle for Your Trotter
At Iberosattel®, a perfect saddle fit for horse and rider isn't a lucky coincidence you hope for when ordering a saddle online somewhere or buying one secondhand. It's the result of experience, advice and conscientious individual fitting. Good to know, especially for Trotter owners: we're here for you even after the saddle purchase. Our service naturally includes an appointment for a follow-up check as well as re-fitting and re-padding.
Hotline: 09179 / 964117
Soft, Wide Padding for Your Saddle
For broad horse backs: The Comfort Pad for your saddle
Iberosattel's Comfort Pad widens the bearing surface of your saddle and helps ensure that the rider's weight is distributed better across your horse's entire back.
This reduces pressure by up to 50%: an important plus for your horse's health and comfort!
This reduces pressure by up to 50%: an important plus for your horse's health and comfort!
Made-to-Measure Saddles for More Comfort
All Iberosattel® saddles are made to measure for your horse. To do this, our trained staff measure the horse's back and then make a matching saddle.
Individual – the Premium Line
With the Premium Line, you can choose exactly which color, seat shape, leather and much more your saddle should have. That's because the Premium Line is only produced after you've ordered the saddle!
Individual – the Premium Line
With the Premium Line, you can choose exactly which color, seat shape, leather and much more your saddle should have. That's because the Premium Line is only produced after you've ordered the saddle!