Help Choosing a Saddle

Help Choosing a Saddle

Our saddle selection consultation at Equishop Saddle Services is for riders who want to make an informed choice when buying their next saddle. We discuss your horse’s conformation, your riding position, discipline and training routine, then recommend suitable models and explain the differences between them.

A saddle is one of the biggest investments in riding and has a major influence on your horse’s comfort. Before making a decision based on photographs and descriptions alone, speak to specialists who fit and service saddles every day.

At a glance: advice before buying a saddle • model selection for your horse, your riding needs and your discipline • clear comparisons between models • nearly 30 years of saddle fitting experience • authorised Prestige Italia dealer in Poland • consultations by phone, email or in person in Ruda Śląska • saddle trials arranged by phone before purchase

Why ask Equishop for help choosing a saddle?

• Advice based on experience. Our advisers have nearly 30 years of experience in saddle fitting and servicing, with practical knowledge of how different models perform in everyday use.
• Recommendations for your circumstances. We consider your horse’s conformation, your discipline, level and training routine, as well as your preferences for the seat.
• Clear explanations of the differences. We explain how saddle construction, panels, blocks and seats differ in practice, going beyond catalogue descriptions.
• Insight from years of servicing saddles. We see saddles after years of use and understand how different designs stand up to wear.
• Support beyond the purchase. We explain which designs allow for future adjustments if your horse’s shape changes.

When should you ask for saddle selection advice?

• You are buying your first saddle and are unsure where to start.
• You have a different horse or your horse’s shape has changed enough that your current saddle no longer fits.
• You are changing disciplines and need a different saddle design.
• You are considering a particular model and want to understand whether it could suit your horse.
• You are choosing between several saddles and want a comparison based on practical experience.
• You are buying a used saddle and want to know what to look for.

What will we discuss?

To offer useful advice, we need to know about your horse and its conformation, your discipline and how often you ride, your current saddle and any issues you have with it, and your budget. The more detail you share, the more specific our advice can be. Photographs of your horse from the side and above, together with a photograph of your current saddle on your horse’s back, are helpful.

Try a saddle before you buy

Would you like to try a saddle before making a decision? Call Equishop to arrange a saddle trial. We will help you choose a model, check availability and agree on a date and the trial arrangements. A trial gives you the opportunity to assess seat comfort and leg support, and whether the model suits your preferences and discipline. It does not replace a saddle fitter’s assessment of the saddle’s fit on your horse.

What does this consultation not cover?

This service provides advice and model recommendations. It does not include measuring your horse or fitting an individual saddle on its back. The final fit must be checked on your horse by a saddle fitter. The consultation helps you narrow down your options and avoid a costly mistake before buying.

If your horse shows signs of back pain, reluctance to work or uneven movement, consult a vet or equine physiotherapist first. Saddle selection advice is not a form of treatment.

How to arrange a consultation

1. Call or email us using the contact buttons on this page.
2. Briefly describe your horse, discipline, current saddle and what you would like to change.
3. Send photographs of your horse and saddle if you have them.
4. Together, we will narrow down the choice to models suitable for your circumstances.
5. If you would like to try a saddle before buying, call us to discuss model availability, a date and the trial arrangements.

Related services and advice

• Prestige Italia and Renaissance saddle servicing: repairs, adjustments and care
• Saddle condition assessment before buying or selling
• Saddle tree width adjustment
• Equishop Saddle Services: how we work
• What to look for when buying a used saddle

Frequently asked questions