DECEMBER 2010 THE RIDER /47 all saddles are not created equally At Schleese Saddlery


By Mallory Hendry ed equal.


Men and women are not creat-


At least, when it comes to rid- ing horses they’re not.


Schleese Saddlery seized on the idea of anatomical differences between the genders, and began mak-


bloody or getting bladder infections - so it was the light bulb moment,” Sabine Schleese explains. “We knew something must be wrong.”


The company began taking plaster casts of their clients and real- ized the traditional saddle structure would not accommodate – at least


that prompted the need for female saddles is that it’s is easier for men to achieve the classic position because of the way their pelvis is built. Men are “bipods” on the sad- dle; their seat bones are wide enough to support the dressage seat with rel- ative ease. Women however have to lean forward onto their pubic bone, becoming a “tripod” and causing sig- nificant amounts of pain to their more sensitive areas. Besides being uncomfortable, it also throws their seat off. Hip bones automatically col- lapse inwards to try and relieve pres- sure, and women end up fighting the whole position. Essentially females end up fighting the saddle; it turns into an obstacle instead of a tool to help them ride.


Sabine says the majority of people worry about the saddle fitting the horse, but they’re missing the point. If the rider is uncomfortable, that will transfer to their mount regardless of how well fitted it is for the horse. Schleese is now marketing a new approach.


“Trainers always say suck it up,” Sabine explains. “But you can ride pain free! It doesn’t have to hurt.”


Good news for all the ladies out there who have been suffering in silence for far too long. Their relief has translated to numbers: Schleese calls it their big differentiator. They are the premiere saddle specialist for women, which sets them apart in the market.


ing saddles geared specifically for the fairer sex.


Now all saddles are not created equal either.


In the early ‘90s Schleese Sad- dlery was building traditional saddles for dressage riders. The demographic was mostly women, and soon a trend began to emerge.


“A lot of clients were com- plaining they were uncomfortable in the saddle and giving lots of intimate details - like they were being rubbed


comfortably – the female form. The first custom saddles Schleese made were customized in the true sense of the word. Each was made fully custom, specifically for the indi- vidual woman, formed to her internal anatomy. When these proved popular, the company took the general anatomical con- cerns and made a saddle with respect to more generic, but still gender specific, concerns. One of the major factors


“We’re playing up the female angle because even though others may have a female model in their line, 85 per cent of our saddles are for women,” Sabine says. “Our demographic, our market, is females and they want to be comfortable. Whether they’re doing this for plea- sure, competition or just starting out, it has to be something they’re fully comfortable with.” Amen, sister!


Phone: (519) 268-2050 email: grantontrailers@execulink.com www.grantontrailers.com


RICHVALE SADDLERY 7195 Hwy 9, Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0 905-939-1076


Leaders in Saddlery Solutions


• Total Saddlery Solutions including Saddle Fittings, Repairs and Alterations, Custom Saddles


• Tack Repairs and Alterations, • Boot Repairs • Custom Leather Work, Custom Coolers • Custom and Ready-made Chaps


www.richvalesaddlery.com


Quality Equipment for Horsemen CUSTOM LEATHER WORK & REPAIRS


English • Western • Gifts • Novelties


24339 Hwy 48, P.O. Box 139,


Baldwin, ON L0E 1A0


Tel: (905) 722-8847 Fax: (905) 722-4155


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