Finding the right Saddle Tree and Panel combination for different horse types

Assigning Saddle Components correctly

Which Kieffer saddle corresponds best to the shape of your horse's back?

The following information chart helps you finding the right Kieffer saddle by chosing the correct saddle tree and panel combination. Get an overview which saddle tree is suitable for which horse type and which saddle panel variation is available.

Possible combinations for saddles fitted with Saddle Tree ‘Exclusive‘

The Kieffer saddle tree ‘Exclusive’ (with gullet plate) is characterised by an open, distinctive cut back pommel, a curved form as well as longer tree tips. It is well-suited for normal to high-withered horses with normal to curved backline.

Our recommendations for Saddle Tree ‘Exclusive’

Horse with slightly swaybacked backline and sloping lumbar vertebrae

High-withered horse with longer slope into the saddle contact area

Horse with short, rounded back and significant rising lumbar vertebrae

Horse with well-balanced contact area and slightly sloping lumbar vertebrae

Saddle Panels

Depending on the saddle model, the following saddle panels are available.

Classic

Gusseted panel filled with wool, classic cut, standard flocking volume – perfect for horses with a normal round back and adequetely developed muscles.

 

Classic DP (with Drop Panel)

Gusseted panel filled with wool, enlarged volume and contact area at the front of the panel – perfect for horses with atrophies behind the shoulder, high withered or slightly swaybacked horses.

 

Classic Passage

Gusseted panel filled with wool, shortened panel at the front – perfect for horses with a wide back and costal arch and / or well-muscled horses.

Classic Passage + DP

Gusseted panel filled with wool, shortened panel at the front combined with Drop Panel cut – perfect for horses with a wide back and costal arch and / or well-muscled horses.

Classic Short

Gusseted panel filled with wool, shortened panel in the rear with lower volume and smaller contact area (-1,5 cm) – ideal for horses with a very short back and / or significant rising lumbar vertebrae.

Up to +4 cm more height (rear)

Enlarged volume in the rear – ideal for horses with a significant difference in height between the withers and the 18th thoracic vertebra and / or slanting or straight saddle position.

Optimised fit and new seating comfort with more closeness to the horse

CLASSIC SADDLE PANEL

We redefine ourselves – get to know our revised saddle range with the new optimised Classic panel cut for all disciplines.

With the relaunch of our range, we are concentrating on a smaller selection from now on. Thanks to the many additional individualisation options, we can the most diverse wishes for horse and rider for horse and rider can be fulfilled.

More closeness to the horse with the Classic Panel

The modified cut of the rear gusset enables a more advantageous utilisation of the contact surface on the horse’s back, optimises the fit and ensures a more extensive pressure distribution. The saddle lies flatter overall and thus places the rider closer to the horse. At the same time, the full potential for individual adjustments of the padding is retained.

Custom Fit - when more individuality than the standard is required

The cushion volume of the Classic panel in the rear area can be extended between 1,5 cm and 4 cm as required. A shorter cut at the back is also possible. Depending on the model, our saddles can be configured with optional cuts for the shoulder area, such as the half panel Passage, individually matched to the exterior of the horse at extra cost. In combination with the steplessly adjustable Exclusive saddle tree, almost no wishes remain open for achieving the best possible fit.

The rider also benefits from Custom Fit. Our master saddlers find a solution for many wishes – whether modifications to the seat ergonomics, saddle flaps and rolls or the girthing system.

Der neue Verlauf des Kissenkeils im Vergleich zu vorher (s. Kreis)
The new cut of the rear gusset compared to before (see circle).

Dressage, jump and general purpose saddles equipped with the new Classic panel cut

Possible combinations for saddles fitted with Saddle Tree ‘1000 Exclusive’

Saddle Tree ‘1000 Exclusive’ (with gullet plate) is characterised by its shuttered pommel, a straight form as well as shorter tree tips. This saddle tree is suitable for low-withered horses with a straight backline and highly recommended for wide-backed horses with a well-muscled topline.

Overbuilt horse with slightly curved backline and conical shaped torso

Horse with long and straight backline

Horse with relatively straight backline and slightly sloping lumbar vertebrae

Horse with well-balanced contact area and slightly sloping lumbar vertebrae

Our recommendations for Saddle Tree ‘1000 Exclusive’

1000 Standard Gusseted Panel

Gusseted panel filled with wool, classic cut, standard flocking volume – perfect for athletic horses with a straight, short contact area.

DRESSAGE SADDLES

Göteborg, Rotterdam, 

JUMP SADDLES

Arezzo, Jana

GENERAL PURPOSE SADDLES

Le Mans

ICELANDIC HORSE SADDLES

Island Pro

1000 Standard Foam Panel

Foam panel (not adaptable), classic cut, standard volume – perfect for athletic horses with a straight, short contact area.

JUMP SADDLES

Arezzo, Jana

1000 Half Panel

Gusseted panel filled with wool, shortened panel at the front – perfect for horses with a wide back and costal arch and / or well-muscled horses

DRESSAGE SADDLES

Göteborg, Rotterdam

GENERAL PURPOSE SADDLES

Le Mans

Extra Wide Foam Panel

Foam panel (not adaptable) with extra wide contact area – perfect for horses with a wider back and straight, short contact area

DRESSAGE SADDLES

Brugge

GENERAL PURPOSE SADDLES

Bern

TREKKING SADDLES

Kieffer’s Trail, Trekk Vario

certified by the ’Austrian Department For Animal Welfare’

Animal welfare-compliant

Our made to measure saddle concept based on EQUIscan and Saddle-Check (BVFR) measurement data has been renowned as animal welfare-compliant by the ’Austrian Department For Animal Welfare’.

The combination of our saddle tree and panel concepts with professional measurement data enables us to built or adjust custom made to measure saddles fitting perfectly to the horses back. It was and is always our aim to create horse-friendly equipment for healthy horses and lucky riders.

Because of this fact, we are are so proud that our work has been certified as animal welfare-compliant from official side.

Please note: to ensure that a saddle stays always animal welfare-compliant, you have to keep in mind to make regular use of professional check ups, documentation and adjustment.