Iberosattel® SHOP Buy top riding accessories
A Saddle with a Broad Bearing Surface for Your Horse: For Less Pressure and More Enjoyment of Movement
The saddle is the link between rider and horse. It ensures that pressure and the rider's weight are distributed so that the horse can move loosely and relaxed.
For us at Iberosattel®, it is important that a saddle not only "seats" the rider well, but above all also offers the best comfort for the horse. If a saddle does not sit correctly, it slips; the result is chafing, pain and tension - which can sooner or later lead to back problems.
A saddle with a broad bearing surface, on the other hand, distributes the weight more evenly and better, since there is no localised loading.
For us at Iberosattel®, it is important that a saddle not only "seats" the rider well, but above all also offers the best comfort for the horse. If a saddle does not sit correctly, it slips; the result is chafing, pain and tension - which can sooner or later lead to back problems.
A saddle with a broad bearing surface, on the other hand, distributes the weight more evenly and better, since there is no localised loading.
Jump Directly To
The Advantages of a Larger Bearing Surface
- The weight force is distributed over a larger area, so the pressure values are correspondingly lower (proportional to the larger area).
- It supports the horse's natural movement pattern.
- It allows the horse's back to swing freely.
When Is a Saddle with a Broad Bearing Surface Especially Important for Your Horse?
Especially with young horses, it is important that they are gently accustomed to the rider's weight. Their musculature must first be built up - no horse is naturally built to carry a human. It first has to be gymnasticised to the point where the relevant muscle groups are sufficiently trained.
Young horses also lose their balance more quickly if the rider above does not correctly follow every movement. Horses with a very long back and horses with a sensitive back are also reliant on a saddle with a large bearing surface to stay healthy and fit for many years.
Young horses also lose their balance more quickly if the rider above does not correctly follow every movement. Horses with a very long back and horses with a sensitive back are also reliant on a saddle with a large bearing surface to stay healthy and fit for many years.
A broader bearing surface can also be helpful for fully trained horses, especially when you sit on the horse for longer periods. What is perfectly acceptable during a 30- to 50-minute training session and causes no problems at all can already lead to discomfort for your horse during a multi-hour hack. Pressure feels different over a longer period than over a short one. This is exactly the same for horses as it is for humans.
Whether young, untrained horses or adult animals on long hacks. — A broad bearing surface is more comfortable and healthier for all horses.
The Saddle Shapes the Back - a Broad Bearing Surface Protects It!
Did you know? The saddle "shapes" your horse's back - not just its way of moving. Good, collected riding is only possible if the weight is correctly distributed, through a saddle with a broad bearing surface. Do not be fooled by a protective posture and an apparently correct appearance. The head often simulates the right tension while the back is being pushed away.
Are There Breeds with a "Good" Back and Horse Breeds with a "Worse" Back?
Regardless of the breed you ride, every horse that is well ridden with a well-fitting saddle has a strong, straight and well-muscled back. You can see this particularly well when you lunge your horse. The topline appears straight. No dents or hollows are visible behind the shoulders. The back does not sag either.
However, there are also some horses (regardless of breed) that have an (innate) back weakness. These horses CAN develop problems even with a perfectly fitted saddle with a smaller bearing surface. So, under certain circumstances, it can make sense even for fully trained horses that are ridden mainly indoors in dressage to use a saddle with a broad bearing surface.
However, there are also some horses (regardless of breed) that have an (innate) back weakness. These horses CAN develop problems even with a perfectly fitted saddle with a smaller bearing surface. So, under certain circumstances, it can make sense even for fully trained horses that are ridden mainly indoors in dressage to use a saddle with a broad bearing surface.
Saddles with too small a bearing surface deform the horse's back. — Protect your horse's back!
What Our Customers Say About Their Iberosattel®
Chris W.
From time to time I try the Western saddle or the sheepskin saddle, but Luke simply prefers to go with the Vaquero Breitschaft. I am very glad that we currently have a good saddle and hope it will be with us for a long time.
Nicole T.
I am overjoyed to have made this decision. I would also like to thank you again for the friendly and knowledgeable advice.
The Comfort Panel: Luxury Your Horse Deserves
All bearing surfaces from Iberosattel® are widened - even with the normal dressage panel, we have paid attention to as broad a surface as possible, as far as the design of the panel allows. Especially with saddles featuring the Comfort panel, pressure distribution for gentle riding is optimised. These were specially developed for horses with a very sensitive back, but also benefit all other horses.
Our saddle models with the Comfort panel are:
For all short horse types, the shortened version, our Comfort Compact panel, is suitable.
Interested? We will come to your horse for an appointment with individual fitting, where you can test-ride various models.
Our saddle models with the Comfort panel are:
For all short horse types, the shortened version, our Comfort Compact panel, is suitable.
Interested? We will come to your horse for an appointment with individual fitting, where you can test-ride various models.
Hotline: 09179 / 964117
Shoulder Freedom with the EWF System
World First: No Head Iron on the Horse
More freedom for withers and shoulder: by integrating the head plate into the saddle tree, the EWF system offers more lateral freedom for the withers and more freedom for the shoulder (no metal plate to hinder the shoulder cartilage sliding under the saddle).
We Individually Adapt the Spinal Channel to Your Horse!
For your horse's comfort: measuring for a sufficiently wide spinal channel
To give your horse enough freedom of movement and reduce pressure on the spine, the panel channel of a saddle must be individually fitted for each animal.
At Iberosattel®, we take fitting seriously and arrange a saddle fitting appointment with you and your horse.
At Iberosattel®, we take fitting seriously and arrange a saddle fitting appointment with you and your horse.