Ordering a Zaldi saddle on line HELP

[Emmangel]

I am planning to buy a Sanjorge dressage saddle from Zaldi online for my PRE boy. Currently we have a Kent & Masters saddle which has just been checked and adjusted by my saddler to a medium wide gullet plate. The seat is 17.5”. I ordered a saddle gauge from Zaldi and it explains I have to take two measurements – one 5 cm behind the back edge of the scapula to order correct tree size. I take this to be the exact place where my current pommel would start ?? I have calculated this to be 31 cm but it doesn’t seem that wide to me ?? It should fall between 28-36 cm. Then it says I need to determine gullet width by placing fingers either side of the spinal column at the base of the wither where the first vertebrae begins and pinch gently and that would be the approximate measurement of the gullet. However, I’m not sure where the first vertebrae begins as I understood horse’s vertebrae start from the top of the neck all the way to tail arghh. I am beginning to think it’s not worth doing as it could be a potentially expensive mistake. If I do go ahead, then would like to point out that my saddler will be professionally checking the saddle fits before I start riding in it. Help !!! Anyone wishing to look further – there is a comprehensive Zaldi saddle fitting guide on viva iberica website (You can have the saddles adjusted afterwards by their factory in Sheffield). Or can I calculate the cm if I can find out what the blue medium wide gullet I am currently using measures ? Apparently Thorowgood and Kent & Master gullets are the same/interchangeable. Thanks in advance.

 

[melbobineau]

I've a Zaldi and living in the UK.

31cm for a Zaldi is just before their medium size (32) as size goes from 28 to 36, My Mare is currently on 34 (ordered a 33) but need now a 35.
But if you measured exactly 31 I will more likely go for a 32 specially that there is the saddle cloth and maybe a pad. Spanish might not look like wide like a cob but their Trapezium muscles are well developed so need normally wider fitting that they look like.

Which Kent & Master has currently your horse? a standard one? if yes a channel of 7cm will do fine. If high wither a 5cm might be recommended and if it is a cob one, 9 will probably be best.

Are you going for the normal san jorge or the plana one?

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I know nothing about Zaldi saddles but 5cm behind the back edge of the scapula is not necessarily where your pommel is, it's where the point of tree sits. You should be able to find it easily enough, scapula is shoulder blade and you should be able to feel where the back edge is. My guess is you've been measuring the wrong place. Though measuring there will only work if your horse doesn't have any muscle wastage. If there is, you'll be measuring the wasted muscle and will get a measurement that's too narrow because it will fit to the wasted muscle instead of giving it room to develop. Hope that helps.

 

[Emmangel]

Thanks guys. I measured slightly back (3 cm from the scapula edge) and I've ordered the Sanjorge (not plana) in 32 cm and medium width gullet. I have spoken to my saddler and he is coming to check it when it arrives (which should be this week).

Yes Kent & Masters is standard one - lovely saddle, but I find it a bit flimsy. I ride my other horse in an Albion Platinum and there is no comparison (but I guess in the end, you get what you pay for). Kent & Masters are super quality for the money.

Watch this space - I'll update you when I get it Thanks again.

 

[melbobineau]

Soory I haven't read correctly. A K&M Medium Wide gullet seems quite narrow to me for an iberian horse. But every horse is different and sure your saddle fitter is right.

 

[melbobineau]

Let us know how was the fit?

Just ot let you know, I've got one of the zaldi open-tree machine in case your saddle fitter need to narrow the tree.

I might get also the San Jorge one day. as been years I'm looking at it.

 

[Emmangel]

He was an extra wide originally in April, but he was overweight - he's slimmed right down and he remeasured him as a Medium Wide very recently (just a few weeks back). Do you think MW in K&M is likely to equate to 32 cm ? Buying a saddle is such a gamble - I've always had them fitted before.

 

[melbobineau]

He was an extra wide originally in April, but he was overweight - he's slimmed right down and he remeasured him as a Medium Wide very recently (just a few weeks back). Do you think MW in K&M is likely to equate to 32 cm ? Buying a saddle is such a gamble - I've always had them fitted before.

Do you mean it went 3 size down once slimmed?

 

[Emmangel]

Yes, he was quite fat when I got him, with pockets of fat everywhere (he was stabled 24/7 on a straw bed - which he basically ate all day). Now he's ridden daily and on wood shavings bed. He looks so much better now.

 

[Emmangel]

I don't know how to attach a photo, otherwise I would...

 

[melbobineau]

So I've check the few equivalences tables that I know of of and it seems that the K&M blue gullet (M/W) equates to zaldi 31; the red one (W) to a zaldi 32;

So it might be slightly wider for your horse. but bare in mind that the zaldi come with quite a lot of wool in the panel so in the end 32 might fit him perfectly until the panels settle in.

 

[melbobineau]

Ordering at distance is always a bit risky. bUt if the saddle fit well your horse you'll see the Zaldi (except their cheeper models) are so comfortable. Mine is the zaldi country marcha (GP/endurance saddle: perfect also for le TREC or starting my youngster at is the case), it has the zaldi extra-comfort seat (extra latex padding on the seat). So basically it is an armchair!
And I got the confort panels (cut back) for my mare too which is perfect for her. Her wide shoulder stay free.

 

[melbobineau]

Yes, he was quite fat when I got him, with pockets of fat everywhere (he was stabled 24/7 on a straw bed - which he basically ate all day). Now he's ridden daily and on wood shavings bed. He looks so much better now.

I see. It might be why not fat it seems (to me) be a bit on the narrow size for an Iberian horse. In their native country they (male included) grow up outside in extensive field where they built up strong muscles (trapezium, back, etc...) moving around on the hills with the herds. Which they don't if they always were stabled and/or on flat/small field. I have read this in a saddle fitting website somewhere.
It might be true. I sent my Shagya araber mare (she has long way back spanish ancestry) on a big stud when she was 2-4 year old. they were on huge hilly fields and a big herd moving a lot during the day (I know I tried to follow them for 3 yours - exhausting). And in the end she has enormous trapezium and even when she came back and was a bit to fine one winter she was still a size 33 in Zaldi!


Impatient to see a picture of your zaldi san jorge. and by the way uour spanish horse!

 

[Emmangel]

Hey - DD finally arrived yesterday and my beautiful saddle arrived ! It is amazing but I don't know how to post pictures on here.

It seems to fit him OK (I went for 32 cm in the end) Thanks for checking it against the blue gullet by the way. However, I am tempted to get it checked by my saddler before I start using it. I think it fits but I am not an expert.

Thanks again for all your help.
Emma

 

[Emmangel]

Hope this works

 

[Emmangel]

Yay it worked !!! This is my boy

 

[9tails]

Good looking saddle! Good looking horse! I hope it fits, it looks very nice.

 

[Emmangel]

Thank you very much. I will let you know

 

[melbobineau]

The saddle is as nice as the horse.
So does it fit? Any pictures on him?

 

[FfionWinnie]

That saddle looks utterly gorgeous! Hope it fits.

 

[Triskel]

Hi, can you please tell me who can adjust Zaldi saddles in the UK? I have a 'fully adjustable' endurance saddle but having a nightmare finding somewhere with the tools to widen it. Thanks.