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Diana S. on Quarter Horse: "... the End of Our Saddle Problems"
Once upon a time ... that is the classic beginning of fairy tales. In our case, at the same time, the end of our saddle problems.
Anyone reading this reference might be puzzled at first. A Quarter Horse - isn't that the typical western breed, and shouldn't a typical western horse also get a typical western saddle with a horn (to hold on to ;-) ), comfortable like a sofa, and so on? Yes, that was indeed originally my plan too. If only the build of my young horse hadn't thrown a wrench in those plans.
We had a very high-quality western saddle - it had to fit, that was the most important thing when buying it. Unfortunately it soon turned out that it simply didn't fit this horse at all. My Quarter Horse is, typical for the breed, quite short in the back, but at the same time very well-muscled and arched. The saddle we had bought was too long and formed a bridge. As a result my horse moved increasingly tense, so it became clear that "the typical western saddle" couldn't be the final solution for us - the saddles that matched my quality standards were all far too long.
When we moved to our new home, I got to know our stable owner, who herself owns two Iberosattel® saddles (Vaquero Breitschaft) and warmly recommended the company Iberosattel. An alternative solution was needed, so an appointment was arranged. Mrs Thoma arrived right on time for the agreed appointment and then stayed even longer ... the most thorough, most competent advice I have ever experienced in this field myself, or even seen anyone else receive.
First the horse was assessed, and lo and behold, questions were asked that should actually always be relevant, but that no one had ever asked me before: the rider's weight? Does anyone else ride the horse? What is the horse going to be used for? In our case that means I want to go out into the countryside, so the saddle should be comfortable with a large bearing surface (in my opinion the biggest advantage of classic western saddles - I wasn't even aware that this existed with other types of saddle at all). But I also ride several courses a year, so the saddle should seat me correctly while still giving me enough legroom. Mrs Thoma immediately had a saddle model in mind, which she didn't want to reveal to me, however - after all, I was supposed to make my decision without bias.
Just this much in advance: she would be proven right. Since my wish was for the saddle to have a gallery, we went out to the riding arena with three suitable models. I was allowed to extensively test-ride all three (incidentally very lightly used) trial saddles - Mrs Thoma re-saddled countless times, adjusted the stirrup bars and, most importantly, kept asking me how I felt. How does the saddle feel? How does the horse feel underneath it? Does the communication work? After it quickly became clear that the saddle I had secretly been eyeing on the internet (the Vaquero Breitschaft) wasn't right for us (which is exactly why I would like to urgently recommend test-riding the various models at this point - nothing can replace it), I immediately felt completely at home in the third model.
"Soft" - that was my first thought. Without knee rolls, I could move my leg just as freely as I was used to in the western saddle. Since we were in a hurry and I (and my horse ...) had fortunately chosen a model that was in stock, Mrs Thoma made it possible for me to hold my new saddle, padded for my horse, in my hands less than two weeks after placing the order, and to start the 2015 season.
As a western rider I had some trouble getting used to the English stirrup leathers, so I ordered western fenders and ride my baroque saddle with western fenders and western stirrups. Throughout our whole time together, Iberosattel® always proved to be very customer-oriented; for example, during the production time of my western fenders I was provided with English stirrup leathers and baroque stirrups free of charge. Otherwise too, contact was always friendly, uncomplicated and super fast.
I have now had my Ibero Barock for three quarters of a year - Mr Wolfrum came for the first check-up appointment. Here too, the staff member really took plenty of time for me as a customer, even though there was nothing to be earned here, since the first check-up appointment is free. Mr Wolfrum's advice was thorough, competent and, of course, super friendly, just like with all the Iberosattel® staff I have had contact with so far. We can recommend Iberosattel® with a clear conscience and are so satisfied that my young mare has since also received an Iberosattel. The best proof of satisfaction."
Diana S. with Ibero Barock on her Quarter Horse
Anyone reading this reference might be puzzled at first. A Quarter Horse - isn't that the typical western breed, and shouldn't a typical western horse also get a typical western saddle with a horn (to hold on to ;-) ), comfortable like a sofa, and so on? Yes, that was indeed originally my plan too. If only the build of my young horse hadn't thrown a wrench in those plans.
We had a very high-quality western saddle - it had to fit, that was the most important thing when buying it. Unfortunately it soon turned out that it simply didn't fit this horse at all. My Quarter Horse is, typical for the breed, quite short in the back, but at the same time very well-muscled and arched. The saddle we had bought was too long and formed a bridge. As a result my horse moved increasingly tense, so it became clear that "the typical western saddle" couldn't be the final solution for us - the saddles that matched my quality standards were all far too long.
When we moved to our new home, I got to know our stable owner, who herself owns two Iberosattel® saddles (Vaquero Breitschaft) and warmly recommended the company Iberosattel. An alternative solution was needed, so an appointment was arranged. Mrs Thoma arrived right on time for the agreed appointment and then stayed even longer ... the most thorough, most competent advice I have ever experienced in this field myself, or even seen anyone else receive.
First the horse was assessed, and lo and behold, questions were asked that should actually always be relevant, but that no one had ever asked me before: the rider's weight? Does anyone else ride the horse? What is the horse going to be used for? In our case that means I want to go out into the countryside, so the saddle should be comfortable with a large bearing surface (in my opinion the biggest advantage of classic western saddles - I wasn't even aware that this existed with other types of saddle at all). But I also ride several courses a year, so the saddle should seat me correctly while still giving me enough legroom. Mrs Thoma immediately had a saddle model in mind, which she didn't want to reveal to me, however - after all, I was supposed to make my decision without bias.
Just this much in advance: she would be proven right. Since my wish was for the saddle to have a gallery, we went out to the riding arena with three suitable models. I was allowed to extensively test-ride all three (incidentally very lightly used) trial saddles - Mrs Thoma re-saddled countless times, adjusted the stirrup bars and, most importantly, kept asking me how I felt. How does the saddle feel? How does the horse feel underneath it? Does the communication work? After it quickly became clear that the saddle I had secretly been eyeing on the internet (the Vaquero Breitschaft) wasn't right for us (which is exactly why I would like to urgently recommend test-riding the various models at this point - nothing can replace it), I immediately felt completely at home in the third model.
"Soft" - that was my first thought. Without knee rolls, I could move my leg just as freely as I was used to in the western saddle. Since we were in a hurry and I (and my horse ...) had fortunately chosen a model that was in stock, Mrs Thoma made it possible for me to hold my new saddle, padded for my horse, in my hands less than two weeks after placing the order, and to start the 2015 season.
As a western rider I had some trouble getting used to the English stirrup leathers, so I ordered western fenders and ride my baroque saddle with western fenders and western stirrups. Throughout our whole time together, Iberosattel® always proved to be very customer-oriented; for example, during the production time of my western fenders I was provided with English stirrup leathers and baroque stirrups free of charge. Otherwise too, contact was always friendly, uncomplicated and super fast.
I have now had my Ibero Barock for three quarters of a year - Mr Wolfrum came for the first check-up appointment. Here too, the staff member really took plenty of time for me as a customer, even though there was nothing to be earned here, since the first check-up appointment is free. Mr Wolfrum's advice was thorough, competent and, of course, super friendly, just like with all the Iberosattel® staff I have had contact with so far. We can recommend Iberosattel® with a clear conscience and are so satisfied that my young mare has since also received an Iberosattel. The best proof of satisfaction."
Diana S. with Ibero Barock on her Quarter Horse