Saddles and equipment for Black Friday
The selection of saddles and equipment brings together the tack for both horse and rider: aluminium stirrups, composite or flexible arms, non-slip soles, anatomical girths, breastplates or dressage pads, leather billets, pony saddles and saddleless options. Leading brands like Stübben, LeMieux, Flex-On or Acavallo, for jumping, dressage, western riding or hacking, at discounted prices during Black Friday.
The tack for horse and rider, at discounted prices.
Stirrups: safety, foot angle and material
A stirrup is chosen for its safety, the angle it gives to the foot and its material. Models with flexible arms, like the Acavallo Flexia or the Equestro stirrups, absorb some of the shocks upon landing from jumps and relieve knees and ankles. Inclined stirrups, like the Flex-On Green Composite, position the sole to keep the heel down without forcing. The aluminium of the LeMieux Vector or Horze combines lightness and strength, while Horka soles, whether anti-slip or with spikes, enhance grip. The width is chosen according to the boot: about one centimetre of space on each side of the foot.
Other accessories
Horse accessories for Black Friday also come in variations:
All accessories are gathered on the horse accessories page.
Anatomical girth, flap or dressage: each saddle has its girth
The girth is chosen according to the saddle. An obstacle or all-purpose saddle, with short billets, requires a long girth; the dressage saddle, with long billets, needs a short girth, like the Horsenjoy Equi-Memo or the sheepskin models. The anatomical girth, cut away behind the elbows, like the LeMieux Gel-Tek or HKM, allows the front legs to move freely without chafing. The flap, like the Norton Magnet, protects the horse's belly from the stirrups when it folds its legs over a bar. Neoprene models with elastic, like the Stübben Coolmax, support the horse's breathing.
Stirrup leathers and adjusting leg length
The stirrup leathers connect the stirrup to the saddle and set the rider's leg length. Made of leather, like the HorseGuard Matador or Kavalkade Soft'N Oil, they soften with use but may stretch slightly in the first few months: it’s important to regularly check that both remain equal. For basic adjustment, the stirrup leather and stirrup placed end to end should match the length of the outstretched arm, from fingertips to armpit. The rider jumping then shortens by a few holes to close the knee angle, while the dressage rider lengthens to lower the leg. A glycerine soap prevents the leather from drying out.
Pony saddle and saddle without a tree: young riders and trail riding
The pony saddle, like the HKM Starter, is designed like an all-purpose saddle but in a smaller size: short seat, narrow tree, flaps suited for children's legs. The saddle without a tree, like the Horze in suede, sits closer to the back and allows for better feel of the horse's movements, making it popular for trail riding. It distributes the rider's weight less evenly than a traditional saddle, so it is reserved for short sessions and horses with no sensitive backs. Founded in Krefeld in 1894, the German saddlery Stübben reminds us that the quality of a saddle primarily depends on its tree and padding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a saddle fits my horse?
When a saddle is placed without a pad, you should be able to slip two to three fingers between the pommel and the withers, and the channel should not touch the spine. A check by a saddler helps prevent back injuries.
Safety stirrups: for whom?
Safety stirrups, whether open branch or elastic, release the foot in case of a fall. They are recommended for children and beginners, whose foot can easily slip too far into the stirrup.
How to choose the length of a girth?
Measure under the horse's belly the distance between the billets, from one side to the other of the saddle. A well-chosen girth should buckle at mid-height of the billets, with free holes above to tighten it.
What is the difference between a jumping saddle and a dressage saddle?
The jumping saddle has forward flaps and a flat seat that help the rider maintain balance on shorter stirrups. The dressage saddle, with a deeper seat and straight flaps, allows the leg to drop long.
How to maintain a neoprene girth?
Rinse it with clean water after each session to remove sweat and hair, then let it air dry, away from direct sunlight. Occasionally, hand washing with a mild soap preserves the elasticity of the neoprene.
