FAQ
YOUR QUESTIONS - OUR ANSWERS
Adaptation aid
In principle, this is not necessary with HIDALGO leather tree saddles, as these saddles guarantee freedom of the spine. In addition, our leather tree saddles are only flexible to a certain degree. This ensures that pressure is distributed over a larger area. The pressure is not applied selectively. There is nothing wrong with an additional pressure-absorbing pad. This is always recommended. For this purpose, HIDALGO recommends a (fillable) lambskin pad or a special (fillable) saddle pad with inserts, e.g. from Grandeur.
There is no upper weight limit for the HIDALGO leather tree saddles. As described above, the saddles have panels (saddle panels) that keep the spine free. These panels are flexible to such an extent that they can distribute the weight well and it does not just act at certain points. The saddle panels are also adjustable so that they can be individually adapted to your horse.
In principle, you can adapt our leather tree saddles to any type of horse. Thanks to the Velcro panels and saddle pads, e.g. from Grandeur, this is very easy. We or one of our dealers will be happy to help you adapt the saddle to your horse. Even high withers are no problem with the right fitting, nor are very short or very round horses.
We have found that this is not the case with HIDALGO leather tree saddles. Quite the opposite! Thanks to the panels and the 3-point girthing, the saddle holds very well and does not slip. HIDALGO recommends an anatomically shaped short girth (we carry anatomical or moon girths) or, for example, a Marjoman X-Pand for the saddle.
You can return the saddle to HIDALGO within the return period of 14 days. If the saddle shows signs of use, we will deduct a corresponding amount. Please read our terms and conditions in more detail. Of course, we can offer you one of our numerous test saddles before you buy or you can contact one of our local partners.
If you require a specific saddle length or seat size, please let us know before placing your order. Different sizes must be ordered separately. Special color requests are also possible to order. We have many options! You configure your saddle yourself!
No, HIDALGO leather tree saddles have a leather "tree". So they are not really completely without a pressure distribution module. Thanks to our HIDALGO leather tree and a shaping element in the area of the stirrup suspension, our saddles are able to retain their shape and distribute the pressure well. The saddle therefore has a beautiful spinal canal and great freedom at the withers. It can therefore never become "flat". Our leather tree saddles from HIDALGO are only flexible to a certain degree. Namely to the extent that flexibility still makes sense and does not lead to punctual impact. A well thought-out system!
The Velcro saddle panels have the advantage that you can adjust the saddle and its position individually to your horse's back. You can choose the freedom of the spinal canal yourself. You also have the option of compensating for any unevenness with the Velcro panels. A further advantage is that you no longer need to pad the panels. You simply order new panels and replace them. You choose the length and thickness (front - center - back) yourself. Your sales partner or our service team will be happy to help you. Our cushions consist of different layers of carefully selected foam types, a sandwich system.
With a little dexterity and "common sense", it is actually not difficult to adjust the saddle or panels yourself. It is advisable to start with the back of the saddle. Start in the middle of the underside and mark it if necessary. For most horses, the vertebral canal should be selected with approx. 4 fingers. Then tack it slightly forward in a V-shape. By moving the panels at the front (up or down) you can change the center of gravity of the saddle yourself and adapt it to the horse's back. The wider the horse, the wider the front panel. The narrower the horse, the narrower it will be at the front (but be careful not to make the spinal canal too narrow!). For horses with atrophy (e.g. too little muscle in the trapezius area), we recommend a Grandeur Pad or similar, possibly with inserts (e.g. foam rubber, felt), so that nothing can press here and the horse can build up muscle again. We have been able to achieve very good results here!
Yes, very much so! The leather tree saddle has a kind of saddle tree made of hardened and molded leather. This tree is fully flexible and acts as a pressure distribution module. Incidentally, the leather tree is not a new invention. It has been around for a very long time, considering that saddles were already fitted with it in the Middle Ages.
The HIDALGO leather tree has no gullet plate. It is therefore able to adapt perfectly in the chamber. Thanks to this flexible chamber, horses can build up muscles in the trapezius area again. Numerous positive results from so-called "problem horses" confirm this.
Does the HIDALGO leather tree also fit very wide or very short horses? What about horses with a lot of withers?
Yes, our leather trees can also be perfectly adapted here! All our saddles actually fit very wide horses. We have been able to achieve very good results here, even with a gullet width of 40, as the saddle can also adapt perfectly in the gullet thanks to the lack of gullet plates. Short horses are absolutely no problem thanks to the Velcro panels. For very short panels, we recommend an appropriate pad, as the saddle will then protrude slightly, but this is not a problem at all. If you have a lot of withers, the Special series fits best.
Our saddles are fitted as standard with 3-point girths or double V-girths (such as the HIDALGO Nevada), which keep the saddle perfectly balanced (you will then need a short girth!) or simply with short girth straps (such as the Alicante, London VS or Sydney - in which case you use a long girth). You are also welcome to choose a customized girth. Just talk to us about it!
As your HIDALGO leather tree saddle grows with your horse, you can practically use it on the same horse for its entire life. Thanks to its sophisticated design, it cannot become flat. The spine is always free. It is best to have your HIDALGO checked regularly (normally about once a year) by one of our specialist advisors.
Quite simply: if your horse has a rather broad back and usually low to no withers. The angle of the suspension is wider here and better suited to the anatomical situation so that there are no pressure points over time. In addition, the saddle is not so enthroned over the horse from the start. It is lower at the front right from the start and sits more firmly.
Delivery times
Every saddle ordered through a sales partner is made especially for you according to your desired configuration. Your order will be put into production immediately, so delivery times of 3 to 24 weeks must be taken into account, depending on vacation periods and leather capacities.
