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Silicone Breeches & Saddle Seats: What Every Rider Should Know
Silicone seat breeches can cause more wear on your saddle than traditional breeches. Many of us own silicone breeches. They’re comfortable. They’re secure. They’re often cooler than heavier alternatives. But as saddle professionals, we see what happens to leather over time — and the extra grip that helps you feel stable in the saddle also creates extra stress on the saddle itself. Silicone seat breeches and leggings are designed to increase rider stability by creating frictio
patchworksaddlery
36 minutes ago


When Is It a Good Idea to Order a Custom‑Made Saddle?
When Is A Custom Saddle The Right Choice? It’s one of the most common questions we hear: “Should I go custom, or is an off‑the‑rack saddle enough for my horse?” The honest answer? Sometimes a custom‑made saddle is absolutely the right choice — and sometimes it’s not. Our job as independent saddle fitters is to help you make the decision that truly supports your horse’s comfort, soundness, and long‑term performance (and your budget). Below, we’ll walk through when a custom sa
patchworksaddlery
Feb 12


Why Saddle Fitters Take Tracings: A Critical Tool for Saddle Fit
When scheduling a saddle fitting, many riders are curious about one specific step: back tracings . Why are they taken? What do they show? And how do they actually help your horse? Back tracings are one of the most valuable tools a qualified saddle fitter can use—not to replace hands-on evaluation or riding assessment, but to support better saddle selection, long-term fit, and horse comfort . Let’s break down what tracings are, why they matter, and how they benefit both horse
patchworksaddlery
Jan 19


Why Saddle Balance Matters More Than You Think
When riders think about saddle fit, they often focus on whether a saddle is “too wide” or “too narrow.” While tree width is important, there’s another aspect of saddle fitting that often has an even greater impact on both horse and rider comfort: saddle balance . A saddle can technically be the right size for a horse—and still cause problems if it isn’t balanced correctly. What Does “Saddle Balance” Mean? Saddle balance refers to how the saddle sits on the horse’s back f
patchworksaddlery
Jan 5
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