Schleese saddles

[sparkygrace]

Yes, I will reword my statement to say “a factor” and others do agree. @no.stirrups is a saddle fitter, so I hoped she would mention some other factors she considers. I did check her blog, but it only mentions fit for the horse. In my experience, deepness of the seat makes a difference too. I’m petite, but have ridden in a 17.5 saddle because the seat was very deep, giving me less area to sit.

If you look at photos of riders of all sizes, you will see different flap lengths and placements of knee rolls to accommodate leg length. For example, look at Edward Gal. He has a very long leg and his saddle is designed to fit the leg. It’s not uncommon though, to see a rider whose leg goes over the top of the knee roll. To me, that means the saddle is too small or the knee roll is in the wrong place.

Not everyone buys a custom saddle designed to perfectly fit their anatomy. It can be a challenge to find one that is a good fit for horse and rider. How often do we hear a rider say the horse loves the saddle and I hate it or vice versa?

[Buster]

I’m actually agreeing with you on several of those points. I do not agree with no stirrups as far as her saying that it is a myth, it is not a myth. It may not be the only factor, but it is a big one.

[Scribbler]

@no.stirrups

Thigh length has a greater impact on jump saddles. In dressage, where the thigh is closer to vertical and the rider should be right over the stirrup bar, it has very little effect on seat size. Ergox2 is doing some really fun research on this.

The dressage leg isn’t really that close to vertical except for some accomplished riders with certain body types.

For the rest of us, a knee roll forcing a vertical leg is a disaster.

[sheltona01]

Some of what I use to determine seat is how deep the seat is and what the rider likes. Some people like to be tighter in the saddle and some don’t like to be held in place and want a slightly bigger saddle. “Padding” doesn’t really coming into my equation unless there is a lot of it. I do look at the rider’s position in relationship to the stirrup bars. Honestly seat size is one of the easiest pieces of the saddle fit for me. How the seat profile interacts with the rider’s pelvis is also a consideration and that is really hard to describe.

Also block position effect how a rider sits in the saddle. Inappropriate block placement shoves the rider into the back of the saddle which makes the saddle feel smaller. It also can tip the pelvis down which destabilizes the rider and can cause back pain. For the flap position, it is a factor how both the length of the thigh and calf and also foot size plays a part in that equation. I have yet to see a really good formula. I am lucky is that I can have people ride in saddles than make modifications based on what I am seeing.

[eightpondfarm]

Karl Niedersuss recommended Ann Forrest out of Sarasota, FL as a fitter. Her company name is Equestrian Imports. Anyone know her?

[Unfforgettable]

Ann is very good. She adjusted and fitted my Prestige and nailed it perfectly. I’ve heard nothing but good things about her.

[eightpondfarm]

nice to hear. thanks!

[Pezanos]

I also think very highly of her. She’s very knowledgeable about horses and also a variety of brands and she keeps a stock of pre-owned saddles.

[Buster]

Agreed.

[lazaret]

Ann is also very experienced with remote fitting - I’ve used her for Prestige before and been very happy with working with her remotely.

[blue_heron]

I think the greatest influence on what seat size and flap combination I prefer is the placement of the stirrup bar. If it’s even a little bit of a forward placement I feel like my legs are shooting out in front of me! Unless I’m in a laughably small seat size.

[eightpondfarm]

The Schleese saddle fitters couldn’t find fault with my saddle=to me. So, a $199.00 saddle fits me just fine (but i’m pretty much comfortable/adaptable to anything) They ONLY didn’t like the length on my mare’s back and something about the pommel.

[blue_heron]

At this point, as long as your mare is comfortable, I would chock the fitting up to a learning experience. IIRC, you are doing ~training level. Your mare’s muscling will likely change so much that it is not worth investing in something “better” if she is not telling you something is wrong.

[eightpondfarm]

well, you DO have a point there! Kinda like what my coach said. (she doesn’t exhibit any discomfort, nor does she express reluctance to move out in any direction). But…see, i just sold a house and have this strange burning feeling in my pocket LOL.

[Bogie]

@CanteringCarrot

I believe that the SRS uses or used Albion as well.

I thought they rode in Spirigs, too.

For the record I’ve owned two Schleese jumping saddles which I bought used. I thought they were decent saddles made from very nice leather, but certainly not “Majical”. I like my Jeffries JMX far better. I picked up the Schleeses for a song, which might tell you something.

My saddle fitter was independent but knew JS well. He was more impressed with JS’s selling abilities than with the saddles. He also told me that with a conventional tree, you could only adjust them twice before compromising the integrity. You also need someone who really knows what they are doing because it’s easy to do it wrong and end up with a saddle that is not even.

The only saddles that can be adjusted more frequently are the Kieffer and Prestige resin trees, which are adjusted using IR. The problem there is that only a few shops have them.

[chancellor2]

@Bogie

@CanteringCarrot

I believe that the SRS uses or used Albion as well.

I thought they rode in Spirigs, too.

When I was there three years ago, the only saddles they used for every day were Neidersuiss. I don’t know who makes the ones they “perform” in.

[Bogie]

My info is a lot older than that, so it’s very likely they changed.

[suzyq]

Yes she did remote fitting for me she’s very good. ETA her website is equestrianimports.com
She has quite a few saddle brands new and used. She doesn’t carry schleese last I knew.

[no.stirrups]

@Buster

It absolutely is a big factor for me. Depending on the saddle, and the placement/type of flap/knee roll/thigh block, I can ride in a 17" in some saddles, but might need a 17 1/2" or 18" in others. When dealing with used saddles, you don’t have the luxury of selecting your perfect flap.

If you are modifying your seat size to accommodate the flap, then that is not an ideal fit. I understand that it’s what many people do, but I’m talking about what actually fits, not what you have to settle for. Riding in a bigger seat size because the block is in your way puts you behind the motion and out of balance.

@Scribbler

The dressage leg isn’t really that close to vertical except for some accomplished riders with certain body types.

For the rest of us, a knee roll forcing a vertical leg is a disaster.

That’s precisely the point of determining seat size independent from flap shape/size/position - to not force the leg anywhere. But you are right, I should have sad a more vertical balance, rather than a more vertical position.

@sparkygrace

@no.stirrups is a saddle fitter, so I hoped she would mention some other factors she considers.

I’ve been wanting to come back and do that, but it’s a very busy time of year, and a very complicated topic. Instead I will refer you to EDA Equine - Certified Independent Saddle Fitting | Facebook Where there is a 6 part series discussing nothing but seat size.

[AllWeatherGal]

I have purchased and ridden exclusively in Schleese saddles for over 25 years.

My first two were “stock” and since then I have only purchased semi-custom made. When they fit, nothing better. When they don’t, give up and start over.

But it isn’t a saddle system for the super-budget conscious. I stick with the brand because of the saddle fitter in my area and have no desire to guess on my own. I do fitting every 6 months and plan for adjustments.

I think if you want to spend less than $5,000 and not refit regularly, there are lots of brands that are well-made for you to choose from. I keep having horses with strange backs and for my investment, am happy to have the expert help in regular adjustment.