Are All Leather Riding Saddles the Same?

When buying a new leather riding saddle, the question of its characteristics arises. While on the surface they all seem to be similar, there are major differences. Their design and the parts that make them up vary of course.
But the difference goes further, because a custom-made saddle will always be better than a mass-produced saddle. Arion HST, manufacturer of custom saddles, would like to discuss the differences between the many different leather riding saddles. Ready to learn more?

Summary:

1. Are all leather riding saddles designed the same?
2. Are custom and mass-produced saddles the same?
3. Arion HST Riding Leather Saddles: what else do they have?

Are all leather riding saddles designed the same?

A saddle for every practice

When you know that there are specific types of saddles for each type of riding, you can imagine that they are not all equal. They are even designed to improve each type of riding.
Jumping saddles, for example, focus on the rider's balance and comfort during exercise. Dressage saddles, on the other hand, improve the relationship between horse and rider. This improves communication between the two. Cross country saddles are the most versatile saddles on the market. They perfectly combine the needs of balance with those of flexibility.

Part variability

In order to obtain several different types of riding saddles, an in-depth work is done on the parts that constitute them. In other words, each type of saddle receives a specific contribution from a part. It is this particular contribution that makes the saddle unique. You may not know it, but show jumping saddles are made with seats that encourage the rider's hips to engage. This does two things.
The first is an improvement in the rider's balance before, during and after jumps. The second is a rapid improvement in the communication of commands from the rider to the horse. The horse can therefore better understand what the rider wants. The dressage saddle benefits from the extra-hollow seats for stability. The front blocks of this type of saddle also vary from the other models. As well as the saddle's customization. As for the cross country saddle, it has a unique single quarter design. Who says all saddles are created equal?

Are custom and mass-produced saddles the same?

Models designed in large series

Mass-produced saddles are standardized and manufactured in large numbers. Simply put, they are not designed to your measurements and even less to those of your horse. Very practical for beginners, they show their limits when the practice diversifies. They are often versatile, therefore not specialized for one type of practice. Available in leather, they can be of good quality, but also of less good quality.
This depends on the workshop where the chosen model was made. In competitions and professional riding, no rider has a standard saddle. Each rider needs his or her own saddle, designed according to his or her needs and which allows him or her to excel.

The contribution of the personalized leather riding saddle

The custom-made leather riding saddle will perfectly fit your horse's measurements. They will be more comfortable to wear during training and competitions. Better yet, they will reduce the fatigue felt by your horse and can prevent back problems. For you, as a rider, it improves the feeling of the different movements of your horse.
It can be customized with finishes that match your personality. They are made for one type of practice and receive parts especially for your own needs. By facilitating your training and improving your horse's endurance, it accelerates your progress. Only a custom-made saddle can help you improve to a competitive level.

Arion HST Riding Leather Saddles: what else do they have?

Leather craftsmen

Arion HST can count on its leather craftsmen, present in their workshop in the southwest of France, to design exceptional pieces. Our leather riding saddles benefit from an age-old know-how. Conceived thanks to modern technology and the ancestral know-how of our craftsmen, our riding saddles are unique in their kind. They are made of vegetable tanned leather from a 100% French network.
They can be made of calf leather, grained or nubuck, for unique aspects and finishes. Each piece is unique because it is the result of a passionate manual work. Our leather craftsmen adapt the product to your needs, to the measurements of your horse and to your ambitions. Dream big with Arion HST!

Continuous innovation

At Arion HST, we don't rest on our laurels. We like to learn from your personal riding experience to design top of the line riding leather saddles. That's how our shoulder free panels were born, which free up your horse's shoulders. You gain freedom of movement and experience a less tiring day.
The customization of the saddle flaps and the leather finish are all about one thing: the well-being of the horse. Because without the horse, we would not be able to achieve anything, we put the health of the horse above all else and make saddles that respect the animal. And if you change your way of perceiving horse riding with our personalized saddles?

3 questions that sum up the characteristics of a good dressage saddle

How do you create a good dressage saddle?

A good dressage saddle must be custom made from the measurements of the horse and rider and from noble materials.

Arion HST dressage saddle: what's new?

Compared to other dressage saddles, the models by Arion HST improve the feeling between horse and rider for optimal communication.

What accessories go with a good dressage saddle?

For a dressage saddle to be optimal, it must be equipped with various accessories such as a bridle, high quality reins or even an elastic headstall.