Saddlefitter visit for saddle check or measuring for a new made-to-measure ZALDI saddle from BIENESTARCABALLO
HOW DOES THE MEASUREMENT OF YOUR HORSE WORK WHEN PERFORMED BY AN OFFICIAL ZALDI FITTER FOR A NEW CUSTOM-MADE SADDLE OR TO CHECK THE FIT OF YOUR CURRENT SADDLE (OF ANY BRAND)?
Would you like to have a saddle that fits your horse’s back, yourself, and your needs, but you don’t know how to measure your horse?
To find a saddle that perfectly adapts to the horse’s and rider’s anatomy while meeting the requirements of their riding style and level, Susanne Nagel from BIENESTARCABALLO offers specialized services. She is a professional saddle fitter trained in measurement using the EQUIscan system. Additionally, she has gained experience with various measurement systems from saddle manufacturers such as ZALDI, KIEFFER, SATTELMACHER SOMMER, and others.
BIENESTARCABALLO is Susanne Nagel’s business, and ZALDIONLINE.com is the specific website with all the information and an online shop for ZALDI saddles and accessories.
What does this service involve?
Susanne is a professional saddle fitter and determines the most important factors that define a custom-made saddle.Therefore she uses a special measuring system, developed together with Zaldi.
These key factors include:
- The weight-bearing area – the part of the horse’s back where the saddle panels come into contact.
- The width of the saddle’s gullet and the space between the panels (the channel).
- Whether the horse needs a V-shaped or U-shaped gullet.
- The shape of the spine and other anatomical factors.
The measurement process also provides insights into particular anatomical features that may influence the choice of anatomical, short or long panels, or wider panels, also known as dropped panels.
For the rider, based on body measurements (weight, height, and femur, tibia, and fibula proportions), the following are determined:
- Seat size
- Seat width (including options designed for female riders)
- Need for extra seat comfort
- Flap length
Finally, depending on the rider’s discipline, skill level, riding frequency and duration, horse’s age, and other factors, specific requirements can be identified, such as saddle type, seat depth, and various optional extras tailored to the rider’s preferences.
What happens during a ZALDI saddle fitting visit?
During the visit, the ZALDI fitter will advise you on the configuration of your new custom-made saddle and prepare the order. Once the customer confirms the saddle order with ZALDIONLINE, the saddle goes into production. After a short manufacturing period of approximately three weeks, the saddle is shipped directly to the customer.
This service is exclusively reserved for purchasing a new ZALDI saddle through ZALDIONLINE/BIENESTARCABALLO. The measurements are not provided to the customer.
If any final adjustments are needed or modifications are required later (such as panel stuffing or adapting the saddle to another horse), ZALDIONLINE can handle this (see costs on the website).
What if you already own a saddle and want to check its fit?
Susanne will measure the horse using the same process as described above and then evaluate whether the saddle fits the horse correctly and if it is suitable for the rider.
- If it is a ZALDI saddle, Susanne can arrange for adjustments at the ZALDI factory. The customer must pack the saddle, which will then be collected, adjusted, and returned. Adjustment costs are listed in the link above.
- If it is a different brand, it must first be determined whether it can be modified. Susanne can contact the manufacturer to assess possible adjustments. Some saddle brands cannot be modified.
How much does it cost?
- The evaluation and measurement for a new saddle or to check an existing saddle costs €120 plus travel expenses.
- Multiple appointments are grouped together to organize routes from Valencia and minimize travel costs.
- Depending on several factors, a €200 deposit may be required for the new saddle purchase, which will be deducted from the final invoice.
On-site saddle adjustments are NOT performed unless the saddle model has an interchangeable gullet system.
New ZALDI saddles: pricing and included services
The prices of new ZALDI saddles can be found on the www.ZALDIONLINE website and include:
✔️ Expert consultation
✔️ A detailed report for ZALDI
✔️ Custom saddle manufacturing (EQUIscan measuring only in Germany and with extra costs)
✔️ Organization of possible future adjustments or modifications
✔️ Product warranty management of saddle bought through Zaldionline.
For more details, visit www.ZALDIONLINE.com or www.BIENESTARCABALLO.com (in Spanish and German only).
