How to Buy a Stubben Saddle

Finding and Buying a Stubben Saddle

• 1

  Log on to the Stubben North America website at www.stubbennorthamerica.com/stu09FindB.html. Click "Find a Dealer Near You", then click on your state on the map to find which tack shops near you offer Stubben saddles.

• 2

  Decide what kind of saddle you need. If you are competing in dressage, you need a dressage saddle, which Stubben names with a D. If you are doing a lot of jumping, you'll need a jumping saddle, marked with an S. If you prefer a jumping-type all purpose saddle, look for a VSS saddle. If you will be spending more time trotting than jumping, buy a VSD saddle.

• 3

  Go to your Stubben retailer and sit in the appropriate saddles to find out your size. When you are sitting in the saddle, you should be able to fit one hand between you and the top of the cantle. If there is space, the saddle is too big and you need to choose a smaller size. If your hand doesn't fit, go up a size. Dressage saddles tend to need a larger size than jumping saddles.

• 4

  Ask the retailer about the store's trial policy. If you can, bring the saddle home and try it on your horse, following the store's policies for trials.

• 5

  Place the saddle behind the horse's shoulder. You want to be sure that the front of the saddle doesn't touch the horse's withers when you're mounted, that you can run your hands under the panels without gaps or pinching, that you can see daylight when looking down the center underside from front or back, and that the saddle is level on the horse's back.

• 6

  Ride your horse. If he moves similarly or better to how he normally does, then he likes the way the saddle fits.