Saddles for Males v Females; Schleese and others? Anyone have an opinion on this?

[ParadoxFarm]

I’ve been doing a little research as I try to find a saddle that fits me. There sure is a lot to learn out there. I have been reviewing the videos from Schleese saddlery. The demonstrations showing the female anatomy and pelvis versus the male makes sense. We of course are very different! So, am I as gullible to marking as my DH sometimes thinks I am, or do you believe saddles made specifically for women are different? Also, are there other brands of saddles that focus on this? Or is it just a fancy way of saying narrow twist versus wider twist? I know most Schleese models are dressage, but does anyone have a Schleese saddle? Not that I can afford a new one right now, but…

Enlighten me.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

Marketing.
Saddle fit is individual, woman or man.

ETA: I understand male and female pelvis structure is different. But line up 10 men and women and they all feel different in a given saddle. Some like it, some don’t, some love it, some don’t, some hate it, some don’t. Saddle fit is about way more than the pelvis.

[skydy]

The difference in male and female pelvic anatomy is a fact. Anthropologists can identify the sex of a skeleton easily by looking at the pelvis.

There is a difference and if you aren’t having a saddle custom made, it may be well worth it to try a saddle built for a female pelvis, just to see if it allows you to sit in a better position.

[netg]

I think in the end result it is marketing BS.

Supposedly more often women prefer a narrower twist and men prefer a higher rise in front. My male trainer likes a very narrow twist, and for me the higher rise the better. So in a sample size of two, we both are contrary to the stereotypes. If saddles made for women simply offered more options in the shape of the seat, that would be great, but instead they tend to be an excuse to charge $3k more than the already high prices for other custom saddle makers.

[skydy]

$3,000. more? :eek: Yikes, that’s ridiculous!

[IndyEquestrian]

I’m going with marketing as well.

Yes we are built differently than men, but as [B]Melissa[B] stated above, it is about preference. I hate riding in Schleese saddles, but my mom loved them. She hated my Prestige saddle. . . It is all about what we like and the shape of our horse.

Every saddle feels different on every horse. You can buy the most expensive, female oriented saddle, love it on one horse or on a stand and absolutely hate it on your own horse.

[ParadoxFarm]

Thanks, all. Back to square one. I really need a saddle fitting!

[Mia_Sorella]

FWIW I’m a smaller woman (like size 2ish) and find Schleese saddles incredibly uncomfortable. The seats are so wide (not the twist, it’s the actual seat) that the edge digs into my seat bone area and leaves bruises. Granted they’ve all put me in a very correct position, but it’s a real exercise in endurance…

Good luck with your search!

[BeeHoney]

Yes, men and women have differently shaped/width pelvises and thighs. However, saddles “specifically for women” is a great marketing ploy…because many more women than men ride. Despite the differences in pelvis/thigh width/shape, I find that men and women don’t seem to have specific saddles that they prefer based on gender. For example, my favorite saddle is also well liked by two different male riders who occasionally ride my horses.

[evntr06]

Yes to hip shape difference between men and women, however, there is a wide variety of women’s shapes, and some fit well into Schleese design and some do not. If Schleese did design for “average” woman with wide hips, round thigh and about size 12, then I would think that Schleese may fit you well if your shape is closer to that average. When I tried one, it fit me great and I loved it (I am a woman on upper size of average with pear shape) but may not be the same for you. Other brands may fit your anatomy just as well if not better, depending on what it is. Just because Schleese advertises saddles for “women” does not necessarily mean it will fit “every” woman perfectly, but i don’t think that “designed for women” is only a sales pitch, as I think a lot of women would find narrow twist and wide seat and their stirrup bar location more comfortable then some other saddles. Having said that, other brands may have same features as well and be just as comfortable. Best thing to do is sit in a lot of saddles and figure out what suits for your specific figure…

[jaybird660]

I agree with much of what has been said. Much has to do with how the legs hang from the hips and the angle and width of the pelvic floor. However, that varies so wildly from person to person that one saddle might feel entirely different to the next. Additionally, the angle of the rise of the pommel and the available flat area of the seat has a lot of influence in the comfort of the rider as well. Width of the seat is another factor and can be altered slightly during construction, sometimes by shaving the wood or altering the leather pieces called the “bellies” but only slightly.

I do think Schleese is a master of marketing. When I was making a saddle for the NASS courses, I learned even more how one can manipulate the foam on the actual tree webbing to influence how the saddle fits and feels to the rider. It’s not unique to Schleese.

[IndyEquestrian]

Paradox Farm
Where are you located? I might have contacts. . .I might not, but being born into and then married to military families, I have lived everywhere!