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Dressage Saddle with 50% Less Pressure: A Saddle with More Freedom for Your Horse
Are you looking for a dressage saddle with shoulder freedom that gives your horse plenty of freedom of movement? Would you like to ride your horse pain-free and without pressure points, and do you value a wide spinal channel and especially generous wither freedom?
Our innovative and multi-award-winning saddle pads for dressage saddles are particularly suitable for:
Our innovative and multi-award-winning saddle pads for dressage saddles are particularly suitable for:
- short horses,
- broad horses,
- horses with sensitive backs,
- young horses in training, and
- horses with pronounced shoulder movement.
The Perfect Dressage Saddle from Iberosattel® - Table of Contents
A Well-Fitting Dressage Saddle for the Perfect Dressage Seat
A well-shaped, correctly fitting dressage saddle is the be-all and end-all of successful dressage. That is why every part of a dressage saddle is designed to support the rider's correct dressage seat: an upright seat over the horse's centre of gravity, with a long, only slightly bent leg, so that shoulders, hips and heel form a vertical line.
This seat position is the prerequisite for relaxed, healthy riding. And it enables the effective use of subtle weight and leg aids, which ideally make up the majority of the communication between rider and horse.
To achieve this, a dressage saddle usually features:
Very deep dressage saddles put the rider almost automatically into the dressage seat. Experienced riders, however, also appreciate the freedom to find their own balance. With our Iberosattel® saddles, you can choose your seat depth and thigh blocks individually - entirely according to your needs.
This seat position is the prerequisite for relaxed, healthy riding. And it enables the effective use of subtle weight and leg aids, which ideally make up the majority of the communication between rider and horse.
To achieve this, a dressage saddle usually features:
- a deep seat,
- long saddle flaps, and
- thigh blocks as support padding for the thighs.
Very deep dressage saddles put the rider almost automatically into the dressage seat. Experienced riders, however, also appreciate the freedom to find their own balance. With our Iberosattel® saddles, you can choose your seat depth and thigh blocks individually - entirely according to your needs.
And the Horse?
Under a perfectly fitted dressage saddle, the horse moves unhindered. The loin area, shoulders and withers are free from pressure. This creates the conditions for unrestricted back activity and a favourable, relaxed posture.
Why a Wide Bearing Surface for Your Dressage Saddle?
The size of the bearing surface plays an important role for the dressage seat and the function of a dressage saddle. It influences dressage success and the comfort of both rider and horse.
The Conventional Dressage Saddle Panel
Dressage saddles are designed to allow optimal execution of dressage movements. The focus here is initially on function, not a comfortable fit for the horse.
SMALL BEARING SURFACE → STRONG EFFECT ON THE HORSE
The bearing surface of the saddle is therefore reduced to the essentials in dressage. A small bearing surface creates more pressure on the horse's back, which serves to give the horse the right signals within tenths of a second.
Weight aids ensure that these signals actually get through during dressage. These aids must be applied with pinpoint accuracy to produce the desired reaction from the horse at the right moment. A smaller bearing surface ensures that the weight aids are transmitted clearly to the horse.
PRESSURE POINTS ON LONGER RIDES
The problem: 90% of all dressage saddles are not used exclusively for dressage competitions. Traditionally, dressage saddles were used for short training sessions of 20 to 30 minutes and for dressage competitions. Today, the behaviour of many riders has shifted towards leisure use, and many dressage saddles are used as an "all-rounder" for arena work, hacking, and even trail rides. This leads to an unhealthy strain on the horse and can cause painful pressure points.
SMALL BEARING SURFACE → STRONG EFFECT ON THE HORSE
The bearing surface of the saddle is therefore reduced to the essentials in dressage. A small bearing surface creates more pressure on the horse's back, which serves to give the horse the right signals within tenths of a second.
Weight aids ensure that these signals actually get through during dressage. These aids must be applied with pinpoint accuracy to produce the desired reaction from the horse at the right moment. A smaller bearing surface ensures that the weight aids are transmitted clearly to the horse.
PRESSURE POINTS ON LONGER RIDES
The problem: 90% of all dressage saddles are not used exclusively for dressage competitions. Traditionally, dressage saddles were used for short training sessions of 20 to 30 minutes and for dressage competitions. Today, the behaviour of many riders has shifted towards leisure use, and many dressage saddles are used as an "all-rounder" for arena work, hacking, and even trail rides. This leads to an unhealthy strain on the horse and can cause painful pressure points.
90% of all dressage saddles are used today as an "all-rounder". — Dressage, hacking, working equitation: all with the same saddle
A permanent incorrect load or overload of the tissue and muscles along the spine can lead to tension and pain. The pressure points often show up as visible muscle dents on the horse's back.
No More Pressure Points with Iberosattel’s Wide Comfort Panel
Dressage saddle for horses: standard dressage panel compared with the Comfort panel
The French panels or wedge panels of conventional dressage saddles rest on a narrow strip along the horse's spine. This creates high saddle pressure that ends abruptly at the rear edges of the panel.
Modern panels are now designed much wider. This allows them to distribute the rider's weight and the pressure created over a larger area, significantly reducing the effective load per unit of area.
The Iberosattel® Comfort panel goes one step further: at the rear of the saddle panel, the padding is widened and extends down along the sides. This considerably increases the effective bearing surface and reduces pressure by up to 50%. The result: no more dents form, and existing marks recede.
Long hacks or multi-day trail rides are possible even with a dressage saddle, thanks to our Comfort panel.
Modern panels are now designed much wider. This allows them to distribute the rider's weight and the pressure created over a larger area, significantly reducing the effective load per unit of area.
The Iberosattel® Comfort panel goes one step further: at the rear of the saddle panel, the padding is widened and extends down along the sides. This considerably increases the effective bearing surface and reduces pressure by up to 50%. The result: no more dents form, and existing marks recede.
Long hacks or multi-day trail rides are possible even with a dressage saddle, thanks to our Comfort panel.
The Benefits of a Wide Bearing Surface on a Dressage Saddle
- Even weight distribution and reduction of pressure peaks: The weight is distributed more evenly across the horse's back while riding, minimising the risk of pressure points.
- Prevention and treatment of muscle dents: The Comfort panel prevents dents from forming and supports their regression.
- Free suspension: Our saddles' panels are not permanently stitched to the saddle but freely suspended. This makes them highly adaptable even after manufacturing, so you can respond to almost any change in your horse and easily readjust the saddle.
- Adjustable padding: The padding is fully adjustable along the back swing, can easily compensate for differences in your horse, and can be readjusted at any time - even after many years.
- Flexible gullet width and saddle tree: The adjustable gullet width and flexible saddle tree provide even more freedom of movement and shoulder freedom.
- Optimal use for short horses: A saddle with a short panel must never be left "hanging in the air" anywhere. For horses with a short back length, the dressage saddle maximises the available back area without loading sensitive areas.
The optimal saddle for more horse comfort: a wide bearing surface that distributes the rider's weight far more evenly across the horse's back than conventional dressage saddles, avoiding pressure peaks and preventing muscle dents.
Our Comfort Panel: Award-Winning and Recommended
TEST: Fritz Krümmel, Trainer at Lengelshof
"The saddle gives the rider a pleasant and comfortable seating feel. Above all, it adapts perfectly in shape and bearing surface to the special back anatomy (...) of the horses."
Test: Anton Baumann, Kauber Platte Training Centre
"What convinced me was not only the saddle's appearance, but also the comfortable, deep seat and especially the soft, wide bearing surface."
Freedom for Shoulder and Withers in Dressage Saddles
So that the horse's shoulder can move freely, dressage saddles are positioned behind the shoulder cartilage. This ensures that they do not press uncomfortably on the cartilage. At the same time, the saddle must not pinch behind the shoulder: a well-fitting dressage saddle allows the horse's shoulder to slide under the saddle during movement. Free shoulder movement is especially important during dressage exercises.
Conventional dressage saddle trees are fitted with a head plate mounted underneath the saddle tree. This plate serves to make the saddle tree adjustable in width and gives it stability. The saddle's head plate is a potential disruptive factor that can restrict shoulder freedom of movement and, on direct contact, harm the withers.
Conventional dressage saddle trees are fitted with a head plate mounted underneath the saddle tree. This plate serves to make the saddle tree adjustable in width and gives it stability. The saddle's head plate is a potential disruptive factor that can restrict shoulder freedom of movement and, on direct contact, harm the withers.
Extra-Large Wither Freedom with Iberosattel’s EWF System
With the Iberosattel® EWF system, we have replaced the metal head plate with a flat titanium bar and integrated it completely into the plastic. This means there is no direct contact with the withers, and the horse's shoulder can move without resistance!
For horses with particularly high or broad withers, every centimetre counts. The EWF system creates more room around the front area of the saddle tree.
For horses with particularly high or broad withers, every centimetre counts. The EWF system creates more room around the front area of the saddle tree.
What Trainers Say About Our EWF System
Gunnar Wiedner - Trainer of the Ecole de Légèreté
"These saddles meet our requirements for demanding dressage work with a wide variety of horses and breeds. With the Amazona Dressage Comfort and the Dressage Andaluz with EWF system, we have once again found the ideal saddles for our work."
Dressage Saddles for Young or Broad Horses: What You Should Know
Fitting a dressage saddle is an art in itself, especially when it comes to young horses or horses with special characteristics. A saddle that fits optimally respects the horse's development and build. To do justice to this variety and the changes that occur over time, careful fitting and the ability to readjust the saddle again and again are essential.
Dressage Saddle for Young Horses and Horses in Training
Choosing and buying the saddle marks, for many riders, the beginning of proper training: now you and your horse have the chance to become a real, well-attuned team, and to learn to understand each other in the unique, almost wordless way that makes riding and the relationship between horse and rider so magical.
A GOOD FIT RIGHT FROM THE START?
Many riders immediately ask themselves: buy a good, well-fitted saddle right away, or start with a cheaper model until the horse is "finished"?
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
A GOOD FIT RIGHT FROM THE START?
Many riders immediately ask themselves: buy a good, well-fitted saddle right away, or start with a cheaper model until the horse is "finished"?
OUR RECOMMENDATION:
- During the settling-in phase: While you are getting the horse used to the saddle, placing light loads on it, and leading or lungeing it with the saddle, there is nothing wrong with a cheap, perhaps borrowed, "settling-in model".
- Once training begins in earnest: As soon as you start proper training and sit on the horse regularly, the saddle should be perfectly fitted. An incorrect seat position and wrong weight distribution not only hold rider and horse back athletically, but also put your horse's health at risk.
As soon as you start proper training and sit on the horse regularly, the saddle should be perfectly fitted. — An incorrect seat position and wrong weight distribution hold rider and horse back.
Dressage Saddle for Broad Horses
Broad, rounded horses, including draft horses, Haflingers, as well as many baroque horses such as Andalusians, Paso Peruanos or Arabians, pose particular challenges for dressage saddles due to their proportions.
Saddles that fit correctly, with a sufficient gullet width (the saddle's angle at the front near the shoulder), as well as the right width and spacing of the panels (spinal channel) and tree width, are rare.
DRESSAGE SADDLES FROM IBEROSATTEL®: PERFECT FOR BROAD HORSES
The solution for broad horses is our Iberosattel® saddles. With these, both the gullet width (over 40) and the spinal channel can be individually adjusted, even after manufacturing. This is made possible by the freely suspended panels, which are not permanently stitched to the tree or the sweat flap and can be readjusted at any time.
Further benefits for broad horses:
Saddles that fit correctly, with a sufficient gullet width (the saddle's angle at the front near the shoulder), as well as the right width and spacing of the panels (spinal channel) and tree width, are rare.
DRESSAGE SADDLES FROM IBEROSATTEL®: PERFECT FOR BROAD HORSES
The solution for broad horses is our Iberosattel® saddles. With these, both the gullet width (over 40) and the spinal channel can be individually adjusted, even after manufacturing. This is made possible by the freely suspended panels, which are not permanently stitched to the tree or the sweat flap and can be readjusted at any time.
Further benefits for broad horses:
- Wider saddle tree with EWF system (size 18+)
- Adjustable head plate (V-shape or U-shape)
- Adjustable panel angle (for a flatter panel angle)
Our freely suspended Comfort panels can be individually adjusted in several areas. — Gullet width, spinal channel and centre of gravity: adjustable at any time.
Dressage Saddles for Competitions: Iberosattel® at the FN
A perfectly fitting saddle is an important prerequisite for dressage work and use in competitions. Even if the Olympics are not the goal, many riders value having a saddle that is officially approved for FN dressage competitions.
Is the Iberosattel® Comfort Panel Suitable for Competitions?
All Iberosattel® dressage saddles are officially approved by the FN for dressage competitions. When competing, however, it should be kept in mind that our saddles' wide panels distribute pressure better, but can also lead to a more subtle transmission of the rider's aids.
However, our saddles with a wide bearing surface also bring a number of benefits for competition riding:
However, our saddles with a wide bearing surface also bring a number of benefits for competition riding:
- Gentler riding and more motivation in dressage movements for horses with sensitive backs.
- Easier lateral work.
Our Customers Value Iberosattel’s Wide Bearing Surface at Competitions
Marlies M.
The best saddle we have ever had, and of course no problem for all dressage tasks. On the contrary: the horse swings through better. The wide panel is highly recommended - it is extremely soft to sit on and provides excellent grip thanks to the chrome-free leather. This is my saddle!
Nicole T.
I am overjoyed to have made this decision. I would also like to thank you again for the friendly and knowledgeable advice. (Saddle: Ibero Amazona Comfort for dressage work, details below.)
Sizes, Weight and Cost: What Else You Should Know About Dressage Saddles
The saddle is the link between rider and horse, and its fit determines the comfort and performance of the pair. When choosing a dressage saddle, riders often face a number of decisions: which seat size is right? How much should the saddle weigh? And, not least, what costs should you budget for a high-quality saddle?
Seat Sizes for Dressage Saddles
Dressage saddle seat sizes range from 16.5 inches (very small) to 18.5 inches (large). Almost every manufacturer measures seat size a little differently. As a rule, however, the distance is measured from the tip of the rear seat (centre) to the saddle nail.
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN CHOOSING THE SEAT SIZE FOR YOUR DRESSAGE SADDLE
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN CHOOSING THE SEAT SIZE FOR YOUR DRESSAGE SADDLE
- Seat sizes are not comparable between manufacturers and models. (with variations of up to one inch)
- A saddle must be test-ridden in the correct seat size to determine whether it fits.
- The deeper the seat, the less usable seat area is actually available to the rider.
SEAT SIZES AT IBEROSATTEL®
We offer the following sizes for dressage saddles:
- Standard tree, deep and semi-flat: 16.5 to 18.5 inches, and
- EWF saddle tree: 17plus to 18plus inches.
What Does a Dressage Saddle Weigh?
How much a dressage saddle weighs depends on several factors:
- How much leather is used?
- Are there galleries or other add-ons?
The weight of dressage saddles varies depending on the construction. A dressage saddle with a plastic tree weighs between 5.5 and 7 kg, while dressage saddles with a wooden tree usually weigh around one kilogram more.
PLEASE NOTE: The saddle you ultimately have to lift onto your horse weighs significantly more. That's because extra kilos for the saddle pad, girth, saddle cloth and possibly saddlebags come on top of the saddle's weight.
What Does an Adjustable Dressage Saddle Cost?
- Budget dressage saddles are available from as little as under €1,000. However, these can barely or not at all be adapted to the individual needs of horse and rider.
- A dressage saddle fitted by an expert costs from €2,000.
- A high-quality Iberosattel® saddle from the Classic line starts at €2,590.
At the top of this page you will find our gallery with a selection of our dressage saddles. Pricing information can be found in the detailed description.
Saddle Try-Outs On Site - We Will Come to You
When you buy a dressage saddle from Iberosattel®, service is always included: we make your saddle after individual consultation, test rides with various models, a rider-horse analysis and careful measurement of your horse's back - specifically for you and to your requirements.
And we are still there for you after the purchase: we come to you for adjustments and repadding. Because we want a dressage saddle from Iberosattel® to accompany you and your horse for a whole horse's lifetime.
And we are still there for you after the purchase: we come to you for adjustments and repadding. Because we want a dressage saddle from Iberosattel® to accompany you and your horse for a whole horse's lifetime.
Hotline: 09179 / 964117
Dressage Saddle Award: Mein Pferd
"Mein Pferd" seal of quality for Còrdoba Comfort
The magazine "Mein Pferd" awarded full marks to our Còrdoba Comfort dressage saddle with Comfort panel and EWF system.
Mein Pferd Seal of Quality >>
Mein Pferd Seal of Quality >>
Wither Freedom
World First: No Head Iron on the Horse
More freedom for high withers: by integrating the head plate into the saddle tree, the EWF system offers more freedom for the withers (in horses with high, pronounced withers) and more freedom for the shoulder (no metal plate to hinder the shoulder cartilage sliding under the saddle).
All-Rounder for Leisure and Dressage
Wide, short panel for dressage and trail riding
With the original wide Comfort panel in either the normal or the extra-short Compact version, you get a saddle equally suited for dressage and trail riding:
Comfort Pad >>
Comfort Compact Edition >>
Comfort Pad >>
Comfort Compact Edition >>
What Makes Iberosattel® Dressage Saddles Special?
Iberosattel® crafts a small, fine collection of riding saddles for dressage with FN approval. Whether an entry-level model, a dressage saddle with an extra-deep seat, a short variant for horses with a short back, an elegant premium model or a multi-award-winning dressage saddle for baroque-type horses - Iberosattel® dressage saddles impress with the variety of their adjustment options to horse anatomy and owner preferences, their look, functionality and long-lasting quality. But that's not all.
Made to Measure
All Iberosattel® saddles are made to measure for your horse. To do this, our trained staff measure your horse's back and then craft a matching saddle.
Individual - the Premium Line
With the Premium Line, you can choose exactly which colour, seat shape, leather and much more your saddle should have. Because the Premium Line is only produced after you have ordered the saddle!
Individual - the Premium Line
With the Premium Line, you can choose exactly which colour, seat shape, leather and much more your saddle should have. Because the Premium Line is only produced after you have ordered the saddle!
Trail Riding with the Dressage Saddle
What dressage saddles often are not: saddles for long trail rides. Many dressage saddles have only a relatively small bearing surface. That's fine if you train for less than an hour in the arena or the indoor school. On longer rides, however, there is a risk that your horse will develop pressure points under such a saddle.
Iberosattel® offers a compromise here: saddles with the Comfort panel - what dressage saddles often are not: saddles for long trail rides. Many dressage saddles have only a relatively small bearing surface. That's fine if you train for an hour and a half in the arena or the indoor school. On longer rides, however, there is a risk that your horse will develop pressure points under such a saddle.
Iberosattel® offers a compromise here: saddles with the Comfort panel - what dressage saddles often are not: saddles for long trail rides. Many dressage saddles have only a relatively small bearing surface. That's fine if you train for an hour and a half in the arena or the indoor school. On longer rides, however, there is a risk that your horse will develop pressure points under such a saddle.