Why Choose a Custom Saddle?

Why choose a custom saddle? You probably hear this question several times a month if you are a regular at the riding school. Some say that a mass-produced saddle is just as good as a custom-made saddle. Others claim that nothing beats a riding saddle made from your own measurements.

To sort out the real from the fake, we will have to look at the changes that a custom saddle brings. You will quickly understand that the movements of the horse and the rider are facilitated. Allowing then an improvement of the comfort and a better ratio rider/horse.

Summary:

1. Custom saddle: what does it change?
2. Does a custom-made saddle facilitate movement?
3. Who benefits from choosing a high-end saddle?

Custom saddle: what does it change?

For this type of riding saddle, the changes are primarily practical and affect the measurements and choice of materials.

Customized measurements for the entire saddle

The design of a custom-made saddle goes through the process of saddle fitting. It is a question of taking measurements on both the horse and the rider. The interest is to design a saddle that is specific to the measurements of the two protagonists.

Thus, all parts of the saddle are manufactured separately and to measure. From the tree to the seat, you will get a saddle that fits your horse's back, but also your measurements.

With this, possible problems of discomfort or back pain are reduced, or even eliminated for many.

Discover our jumping range through this video!

A meticulous choice of materials

A saddle made at Arion HST Europe is above all a matter of meticulous choice of materials. When a standard saddle is made of standard leather, we offer you a 100% French leather, tanned in a natural way.

Thanks to a high quality raw material, we are able to offer different aesthetic finishes, but also tactile or comfort. Several types of leather are used for the different custom saddles. Whether it is calfskin, grained calfskin or even nubuck.

On a single high-end saddle, it is not uncommon to find an assembly of these different leathers. The goal is to offer a unique saddle model adapted to all your needs.

Does a custom-made saddle facilitate movement?

Beyond the choice of materials, the purchase of a custom saddle will allow you to perform all your movements with the greatest ease.

Study and specific design

At Arion HST, the entire saddle is designed for your comfort and that of your horse. Each component of the saddle has a role to play in this objective. Our "Shoulders free" panel technology is designed to allow the horse to perform all the movements you ask of him without discomfort to his shoulders.

Our choice of seat types is designed to give you maximum comfort without hindering your horse. Where a standard saddle designed in series will tend not to bend to the requirements of the rider, the custom saddle will be designed according to the preferences of the rider.

Saddles made to measure for each practice

A saddle made from the measurements of the rider and the mount will have the advantage of facilitating the practice of horseback riding. Forget the so-called "all-purpose" saddles and select a saddle that favors the movements of a single practice for greater ease in daily life.

At Arion HST, you will have the opportunity to discover custom jumping saddles, cross country saddles and of course the famous custom saddles dedicated to dressage.

Who benefits from choosing a high-end saddle?

When considering whether or not a custom saddle is a good choice, you need to know who it is for.

To the rider

By making each part of the saddle to measure, Arion has chosen to offer the rider a tool to eliminate back pain, which is often the daily lot of the equestrian enthusiast.

We aim for optimal comfort for each type of riding by improving the ergonomics of dressage, cross country and jumping saddles. With rapid improvements in comfort, riding becomes less difficult and fatigue is reduced over time.

You'll learn faster and be able to push your limits with top-of-the-line equipment that's tailored to your needs.

Above is the rider @clo_bellas from Team Arion with our custom dressage saddle

To the horse

Since the saddle is designed to fit the horse's back, its comfort is increased tenfold. The rubbing of the saddle girths, which sometimes hurts horses, now fits the horse's body.

With an Arion HST saddle, your horse is less tired. He can perform all the necessary movements without feeling any muscular discomfort. The rider/horse couple gains in fluidity of movement.

Our saddle pieces are designed so that the rider feels every movement of his horse in an optimal way. They improve the communication between the couple.

3 questions that sum up the choice of a custom saddle

Who benefits from using a custom saddle?

The horse and rider as a whole benefit from a saddle designed to fit each other.

For which sports practice should I choose a custom-made saddle?

There are custom-made saddles for all types of riding, whether it is jumping, dressage or cross-country.

What parts of the saddle are custom made?

All parts of the custom saddle are made from the measurements of the horse and rider.