How make a made-to-measure saddle 💎
The saddle is one of the key elements in your relationship with your horse, and choosing a custom-made saddle can transform both your comfort and your mount’s well-being. At Macel, we’ve made this art our specialty for many years, placing the connection between rider and horse at the heart of our designs.
If your horse is showing signs of discomfort during work and in its functioning, such as stiffness in the back or even blockages, or if you notice changes in attitude or reactions when approaching the saddle or girth, this could be linked to an ill-adapted saddle. Perhaps an equine health professional has already told you about pain in the topline, or your horse may even be suffering from a blocked withers, and despite your care, these problems are recurring. In these situations, a custom-made, adaptable saddle is the key to a lasting solution.
Whether you’re a dressage rider, a jumper or a regular outdoor rider, we know that the right saddle fit can make all the difference. That’s why we work with veterinarians, equine osteopaths, ergonomists and professional riders to offer you a made-to-measure solution that evolves over time, taking into account not only your horse’s morphology, but also its evolution.
Choosing a made-to-measure saddle from Macel is much more than a simple purchase. It’s a personalized process, designed to meet your horse’s specific needs. Together, we’ll create a saddle that accompanies you in your riding, while ensuring perfect harmony with your horse.
Here’s how an appointment to choose a custom-made saddle works, to guarantee your horse’s comfort and performance.
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Contact
The process begins by making contact: either by telephone, e-mail or via our online form. At this stage, you’ll discuss your needs, your equestrian discipline (dressage, show jumping, eventing, etc.), and your horse’s characteristics (age, morphology, function, etc.). It’s also important to mention any particular problems, such as back pain in the horse or discomfort for the rider.
At the end of the discussion, we’ll ask for your availability so that we can arrange a date for a trial session.
On the big day, you’ll be asked to put your horse in the best possible condition: he must be clean and ready to be ridden, ideally muscled and working, but also up to date with his osteopathic, farrier and dental check-ups, etc. Your horse must be in the best possible condition, so that nothing disturbs or alters your feelings during the trial.
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Assessment of the horse/rider pair
The appointment begins with a careful assessment of your horse’s morphology. We’ll observe his general conformation, the shape of his back, the width of his shoulders, as well as his musculature, taking into account his age. Precise measurements will be taken to ensure that the saddle will be perfectly adapted to his anatomy. This step is crucial to avoid excessive pressure that could cause long-term pain or injury.
After examining your horse, we’ll focus on you: Every detail is important to understand your needs and desires. We’ll take into account your morphology, your riding position, how you function and your preferences in terms of comfort and even customization. A saddle must not only be adapted to the horse’s anatomy, but also to that of the rider, to ensure perfect balance.
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Time for motion testing
There are many possible differences between saddles of the same model. We can have variations in seat, quarters, knee rolls, material, balance, etc… It’s important to adjust these parameters to your riding, dynamically, on your horse’s back.
As trained experts in horse biomechanics and anatomy, we will carefully observe your position and that of the saddle in motion. Every detail is important in finding the perfect balance to minimize the rider’s impact on the horse.
Whatever your discipline, it’s essential to validate a model in condition, whether over jumps, on the flat or even on varied terrain!
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No made-to-measure without measurements
Each horse has a different anatomy, so we make a unique saddle for you. We can’t saddle a Spanish horse in the same way as an English thoroughbred. After the session, once your horse’s back has worked properly, final measurements are taken at different levels of the back line. These tracings are the link between what happens in the field and our workshop: they will enable our saddlers to make a bespoke saddle, with precise, hand-made tree and padding.
The curves of your horse’s back are unique and require a specific structure, resulting in a specific tree shape and arch opening.
All our saddles can be adjusted for tree point length and opening, thanks in particular to the innovative TreeClix system.
Last but not least, the padding is designed and hand-made for your horse. We can manufacture them in latex or wool.
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A saddle to match your image
Once the model has been validated, the various measurements taken and the sizes set for you and your horse, it’s time to choose from the multitude of possible customizations to make your saddle unique in every way.
From the color of the saddle to the thread, from the seat piping to the back piping, more or less subtle options are possible.
The rear bead can even be finished in patent leather or sparkling crystal.
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A configurator is even available to help you project your model: “Rafale Elite”
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It’s the workshop’s turn
As soon as the saddle project has been validated, the wonderful little hands in our workshop begin their work. Thanks to our location in France, we have complete control over every aspect of the manufacture of your custom-made saddle, as well as over deadlines.
Thanks to the measurements and notes taken by our representative during the appointment, our saddlers know how to make the saddle perfectly adapted to your horse and your riding style: from the tree to the padding.
For atypical backs, we even sometimes make intermediary appointments with the saddle during the manufacturing process to validate the saddle’s fitting before it is finalized.
Every detail counts, and for the sake of quality, we meticulously check each product, which is a unique piece. Once finished, an authenticity card is attached with each saddle.
Once the saddle has been validated by our workshop manager “meilleur ouvrier de France”, before delivery, we delicately apply a coat of oil to nourish the leather: your saddle will be sublimated, supple and ready for use as soon as you receive it.
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Control and follow-up
Once the saddle has been delivered, we follow up to make sure it suits you and your horse.
Saddling couples well is our top priority.
A horse with a good saddle, perfectly balanced, is a horse that will finally be able to evolve and change in the right direction. It’s not uncommon for a horse’s back to change in the first year of use.
As the years go by, depending on how you or your horse evolve, it’s perfectly possible for us to rework your saddle to keep pace with this change.