kieffer saddles? How adjustable are they really?

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darksecret99

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And... Can they be adjusted several times or are they supposed to just be adjusted once or twice?

And... is the leather good quality and do they wear well?

I'm finding it difficult to make a judgement on a second hand saddle... it looks like a beatiful saddle and would be great if its adjustable enough to grow with my young horse..... but seems too good to be true!! so if anyone has any experience of theses saddles, I would be grateful to hear what you think!

Thanks
 
We has OH's dressage adjusted from standard medium to perfect fit - believe they can be done 5 or so times.

He loves both of the Kieffers he has (I can't fit my backside in them to comment)
 
I believe they can be adjusted as many times as you need..... and the leather used is excellent.... I've been lucky enough to see a Kieffer being adjusted at their base in Northamptonshire...... really interesting how they do it too!!!

Just make sure you get a decent saddler to do a template that can be sent with the saddle!
 
I tried a kiefer (and loved it) but my saddler said it wasnt as suitable as others as couldnt be as easily adjusted. My mare is also youngish and generally always changing shape... is this 2nd hand saddle from a saddler?
 
Yes, its second hand from a saddler... tricky cos it would need to be reflocked and adjusted to fit, before I can even try it properly...

And theres no way to tell how many times its been adjusted in the past...

But its half the price of a new one and super condition!!

Hmmmmm....

Out of interest, what did your saddler reccomend instead Bonita?
 
for my mare, the bates innova worked best... im just funny and really dont like the look of it or how i rode in it. It is good though because you have the changable gullet system (and bates seem to work for her) I like the more traditional look of the kieffer though! Im surprised they have to do so much to it for you to try it, have you at least had it on your horse and had a sit in it?
 
I have a kieffer gp saddle that i love, i have my saddle adjusted winter and summer and really like the idea that it is always a good fit, have previously used a bates but found my mare didnt change a whole headplate size so i either left it slightly tight for the summer or a bit wide all winter.
Bought mine new and have had it about 4 years now and really like it find it very comfortable and supportive.
 
Indeed that is definatly an advantage that you dont have to adjust to specific sizes, we had so much problem finding a jump saddle that worked for my mare though as everything shifted forwards. However you dont have this problem in dressage saddles... i much prefer the finer adjustments of the normal saddles compared to the bates (but didnt have much choice about it having tried LOTS of saddles!)
 
My horse is super sensitive, so if I ride in it when its not a perfect fit, he will be complaining of a sore back for the next few days! He is a big girls blouse...

I've got a wintec at the moment... so Bates was my first thought, but they dont seem to come up second hand very often... (I suppose that could be a good sign though, that people dont want to get rid of them!!!)...

Hmmm.... I think I might wait and save up more pennies so I have more choice!

Theres no rush, my current saddle fits, but is a GP and I want a nice comfy dressage saddle!!
 
Thanks for your help... I think I really need to try several to find which works best...

(And get someone to hide my credit card in the meantime!!)
 
I have heard some not so good reports about how well the WOW saddles wear, which had put me off a bit... but I think I will try and try one of those as well though!!

Added difficulty is that I live in the Channel Islands, so its more difficult to try before you buy as the saddlers cannot bring a large selection with them...
 
Yes I was wrong - can be adjusted as many time as you like - believe we paid £40 and we took it to Kieffer at Corby.

They are extremely adjustable but it does take about a week at busy times to get it done - some local saddlers have the machine too.

It is a very well made saddle and I certainlty would look at them if I needed another
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