Older Kieffer saddles?

[atomicfriday]

After many trials and tribulations searching for a saddle that fits my TB like Appendix, I finally found a great fit. It is an ancient Kieffer AP type called the Alpen. I’m having trouble finding much of any info about it, other than it is old! I picked mine up for $100 off craigslist and it is in great shape. Tight stitching, smooth panels, no spiderwebbing, no cracks or tears… I was told it belonged to an instructor from Meredith Manor. It’s a two tone brown, has knee blocks but no thigh… Curiously enough it lacks leather keepers. Anyone have any info? Here is a photo albeit it is pretty poor… In the sun it gleams!

[Alagirl]

damn, nice!

Looking at the rather straight flaps, I am venturing a guess that it’s a dressage AP, vs one geared more toward jumping. And that - to my mind - would explain the missing keepers.

Beautiful saddle, congratulations!

[Bluey]

That looks like a beautiful saddle, but more the VD type than VS?

I have one of the real old Passier similarly cut ones, but the VS type.
Too bad the flap had always been a bit too long for my way too short leg.
It fits most but the thickest horses fine.
Glad you found one that fits your horse and it looks to be comfortable for the rider also.
That price is unbeatable, really, for such a nice saddle.

If you contact Kieffer, they may tell you more about it, age, etc.

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

I don’t have any info to add, but wanted to say holy cow, good job on the shopping! I have an ancient Kieffer dressage saddle – it’s now somewhere around 35 - 40 years old and still as soft and nice as the day it was made. They last forever.

[atomicfriday]

Thanks for the insight and compliments everyone! When I saw the ad there was very little info “English saddle for sale $100 call etc.” and it looked nice enough to inquire, so when she told me it was a kieffer I let her know I’d be coming by at her convenience! My horse is a little Appendix in a TB body and every saddle is tight in his withers or far too wide, not the right shape, etc. but this one has wither room for days, and fell into place immediately when I put it on. I’m loving it but time will tell as I’m going to be using it for endurance.

[coloredhorse]

Very nice! I have a Kieffer dressage (model escapes me, sorry) that will be 40 years old next year. Tree is sound, leather in great shape, it’s still going strong and I hope it will for many more years yet. Great little saddle, fits a pretty good variety of horses.

[brody]

I have been finding that keiffers are great with the tbs I am riding.

[mcm7780]

I love older Kieffers. They were well made and wear like iron. I have a dressage saddle that’s probably about 30 years old and made with leather that’s almost an olive green color. It fit the horse and me and was also a steal at $100. (Thank you, family friend, that gave a poor college student an awesome deal many years ago!) Enjoy your new saddle.

[Bogie]

I have two old Kieffer monoflap jump saddles and they are the best! Paid $300/$500 for them. I bought one for my TB and one for my draft x. The quality on them is wonderful. I sent the serial # and photos to Kieffer Germany and they told me they were circa 1978-ish. Very nicely balanced saddles.

https://equineink.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/new-kieffer2.jpg

http://equineink.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/kiefer.jpg

Not sure what year this was made but I picked it up recently. Really nice saddle, again for less than $550. Great brand that is underpriced/undervalued in the US market.

http://equineink.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/kieffer-two-tone.jpg

[atomicfriday]

I’m so glad I decided to get this saddle. At first I was a little hesitant, only because she said it was a 6" gullet (my horse has proven narrow in other saddles) and the seat size according to her was 19". I am not a big person (5’4" 130 lbs) and I like a larger seat but I was still skeptical. The price for the quality and the fact it was local made me try it. Today I rode in it and it was so nice, I felt so balanced and comfortable! Lovely seeing others older Kieffers and to know it’s not a fluke.

[Bogie]

[QUOTE=mcm7780;7752333]
I love older Kieffers. They were well made and wear like iron. I have a dressage saddle that’s probably about 30 years old and made with leather that’s almost an olive green color. It fit the horse and me and was also a steal at $100. (Thank you, family friend, that gave a poor college student an awesome deal many years ago!) Enjoy your new saddle. :)[/QUOTE]

My first dressage saddle was one of those – the green faded over time but when I got it (from Bucks County Saddlery) it was pretty green!

[chism]

I have two older Kieffer dressage saddles, plus an Aachen AP. They fit my TB’s really well, I love them. I agree they’re under appreciated part…I feel like people look down on me a bit because they’re not Devocoux’s or Amerigos…but I paid about $500 a piece for them, they’re very well made and they fit all of my horses. It’s a WIN as far as I’m concerned. I wish I could find a jump saddle…

[atomicfriday]

I took my saddle on it’s maiden voyage today… I love it! I feel so balanced and secure in it, plus my horse moves out so well. He’s got so much more impulsion, I feel like I’m riding my mentors big NSH again. The saddle itself is pretty stiff, probably from sitting out of use for years. I’ve been oiling it every day in neatsfoot and I can already tell a difference!

Some new, much better pics. Including my handsome guy! My poor black horse is so bleached out, he’s listed as a bay on his new coggins… LOL.

http://i60.tinypic.com/5ux5h.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/28k7qkx.jpg

[Bogie]

It looks great! Isn’t it fun to find a saddle that nice for so little?

FYI, My favorite leather conditioner is Passier Lederbalsm. One of the saddles I picked up was also quite dry and it worked wonders on it.

[atomicfriday]

Thank you! And yes I love finding tack deals. I also have an old Crosby close contact I got for $75. The leather on that one is so soft and supple, however it’s a little small at 16" and not much in the way of support, so not very ideal for distance riding!

I’ll look into the lederbalsm, haven’t heard of it before.