Discover the high quality Hrímnir saddle models
How to choose a horse saddle
There are several topics that should be kept in mind on how to choose a saddle. To ensure that the ride is a pleasure for both rider and horse, it is essential that the saddle fits the horse and its rider. The saddle should allow the horse free movement and the development of a round and well-balanced topline and support the rider in a safe and comfortable way.
Saddle fitting
Make sure the saddle does not hinder the backwards movement of the shoulder blade and allows enough room at the top and at the side of the withers. Place your hand sideways, not flat, under the pommel to see if there is enough clearance over the horse's withers. Direct pressure on the withers will cause pinching and distress to the horse.
Slide your flat hand under the front of the saddle from the pommel downwards, to feel if there are pressure points on the trapezius area, which will cause pinching and limit blood circulation. The gullet plate must be parallel to the shoulder blade and wide enough for the shoulder muscle. The front of the tree and points have to be at a similar angle as the trapezius area upon which they will rest with a tolerance of max 10 degrees.
A too narrow head gullet will place the pommel too high, causing too much pressure on either side of the withers and soreness or even damage of the muscles. Also, there will be too much pressure on the lumbar muscles. The rider will be pushed too far backward in the seat, and become unbalanced. It will also create excessive forward-movement of the saddle.
A too wide head gullet will place the pommel too low and offer insufficient clearance on either side of the withers, causing soreness and rubbing of the withers. The saddle will sit too low in the front, and the rider will become unbalanced. It will also create excessive forward-movement of the saddle.
The panels should lie flat and even on the horse's back and give the spine sufficient clearance. You can test this by running your flat hand underneath and checking the panel's position by lifting the sweat flap to look. You should not see any light under the panels in the middle (bridging) or at either end of the saddle (rocking).
The panels need to have 3-4 fingers space between them to allow complete clearance of the horse's dorsal spinal process. You should also be able to fit 2 fingers between the top of the spine and the cantle at the back of the saddle, with the rider in the saddle. A horse needs to keep the back muscles (longissimus dorsi) relaxed so that its back can rise, the hindquarters can step under, and the forehand can become light.
Now girth up the saddle and look at the previous points again. Make sure the saddle is correctly positioned on the horse's back. Sit in the saddle and have someone check the previous points for you again. Finally, ride in all gaits in the saddle and make sure that both you and your horse are comfortable and can move freely.
At the end of the day, remember that a horse's performance depends on many factors, and the saddle is just one of them. What is most important is that the horse performs well and that you feel good in the saddle!
A good saddle pad can sometimes help accommodate some imbalance in the muscles or topline of the horse, as well as slight tight spots, or bridging of the panels.
Don't forget the rider!
In saddle fitting we must always consider the horse AND the rider. The best fitting saddle is no help for the horse if the saddle does not allow the rider to sit supple and in balance! The seat must offer stability and security without wedging the rider into a position. The leg support of the saddle must allow the rider's leg to hang comfortably and relaxed straight down with the knee not being angled outward. The seat bones should rest in the middle of the saddle and the pelvis should be able to move forward and backward without restriction. The seat should offer the rider support without forcing him into a position and offer close contact to the horse. The seat must not be too small for the rider, since this limits his ability to move in the saddle and confines him to a cramped and unbalanced position.
The most important criterion is that the rider is comfortable in the saddle and can sit balanced in all gaits. Only with a balanced and supple rider can the horse perform at its best!
Saddle length
Today, many riders think that shorter saddles are better for their horses. However, the most important factor here is the balance of the saddle, because it guarantees an even pressure distribution over the horse's back. If the seat is not balanced correctly over the panels, or even extends back over them, pressure distribution in the panels is no longer even and pressure accumulates in the rear parts of the panels. This is very uncomfortable for the horse and restricts free movement of the back muscles.
The overall balance of the saddle should be considered first, in order to ensure an optimal and even pressure distribution over the horse's back. Shorter saddles are not better for the horse if they are balanced incorrectly, and the size and weight of the rider must also be taken into consideration. Heavy riders in short saddles mean more pressure concentration on a smaller area of the horse's back.
A saddle should always fit the rider's size. If it is too small for the rider, he will sit too far back in the saddle. This leads to uneven weight distribution in the panels and pressure accumulation in the rear part of the saddle. This, again, prevents even pressure distribution on the horse's back, which is the main criterion for a good saddle. The seat must always offer the rider enough space for a supple position to allow harmonious and correct riding.
Always make sure that the seat is big enough for the rider but is still well balanced over the panels which distribute the rider's weight evenly over as large an area as possible on the horse's back. Of course, the correct position of the saddle on the horse's back should be guaranteed at the same time.
When considering the length of a saddle, these are important factors:
- correct choice of seat size for build and weight of the rider
- correct balance between seat and panels
- even weight distribution over the horse's back on as large an area as possible, while ensuring the correct position of the saddle on the horse's back
Saddle size
Our saddles are available in sizes 16,5" (Pro, Elite and Heritage), 17" and 17.5". These sizes refer to the size of the saddle tree, which is measured from the middle of the cantle to one of the saddle nails on the pommel.
The size of the saddle tree does not correspond to the size of the saddle itself. A smaller seat does refer to a smaller saddle tree, but the changes in the overall saddle size are minimal. This assures maximum weight distribution on the horse's back, even though the seat for the rider might be smaller.
The main criterion for choosing the saddle size is the size and weight of the rider. It is very important that the rider attains good balance and a supple seat and is not forced into a fixed position by the saddle or a too small saddle tree.
Seat depth
Our different saddle models have different seat depths. The depth of the seat influences how the rider is supported in the saddle.
A deep seat usually supports the rider in a more upright and aligned position, and offers more support, especially in trot and canter. A deep seat has a higher cantle, which prevents the rider from sliding backwards in the saddle and getting behind the motion of the horse - especially when riding faster.
A less deep seat allows the rider to move backwards and forward in the saddle. It offers less support in the cantle and allows more changes in the position of the rider.
There is no general rule which seat depth is best for an individual rider. The main criterion is that the rider is comfortable and not restricted by the saddle. It is important to try different kinds of seats while actually on horseback and find which type of seat suits the individual conformation and preferences of the rider best.
Tough a deeper seat can help a rider who tends to sit in a "chair seat", with the legs in front of their center of gravity, sitting on the back of the buttocks instead of centered on the seat bones. This common fault badly affects the horse's balance and prevents the rider from giving correct aids.
Saddle models
We offer different models of saddles with different features in order to provide a good range of different saddles that fit different riders. What unites our saddles is that they are designed by professionals and made of high-quality and high-tech materials that provide safety, a good fit and great comfort for both horse and rider.
HrÍmnir Pro
This saddle features a DuPont® saddle tree, which is a high-quality and high-tech saddle tree designed to guarantee optimal weight distribution on the horse's back, strength and flexibility of the saddle, and maximum comfort for horse and rider. In combination with the BayFlex® foam padding, the expert design of the saddle lets the horse move freely and allows harmonious and sustainable riding, helping the rider to sit in balance and to give fine-tuned aids in close contact with the horse. The BayFlex® foam padding conforms to the horse's back during riding, but always retains its original shape again after usage. This ensures a long-lasting fit for different kinds of horses and makes sure that the saddle pads always stay symmetrical. This soft but strong material offers optimal shock absorption and protects the back of the horse. This saddle also features an additional layer of BayFlex® foam in the soft seat, which makes this saddle very comfortable for the rider. Therefore, this saddle is also a good choice for long distance riders, or riders who get sore easily.
The XChange® gullet plate system makes it easy to adjust the saddle width yourself in six easy steps for individual conformation, or changes in the horse. The Billet system and balance strap ensures increased stability of the saddle, and an extra pair of girth straps give the option to attach an additional single girth in front of the regular girth.
The Hrímnir Pro features a medium deep seat and the Hrímnir-Soft seat with an extra layer of BayFlex® foam in the seat for superior comfort and safety and does not become compressed over time. The Knee blocks support the rider mainly at the area of the knee, offer good support and steadiness for the leg and are placed underneath the flap for extra softness and comfort. There are two layers of leather in the flap, which makes the saddle extra soft and flexible and provides a good grip. This is the only Hrímnir saddle that is available in colour tabaco.
HrÍmnir Champion
This saddle features a DuPont® saddle tree, which is a high-quality and high-tech saddle tree designed to guarantee optimal weight distribution on the horse's back, strength and flexibility of the saddle, and maximum comfort for horse and rider. In combination with the BayFlex® foam padding the expert design of the saddle lets the horse move freely and allows harmonious and sustainable riding, helping the rider to sit in balance and to give fine-tuned aids in close contact with the horse. The BayFlex® foam padding conforms to the horse's back during riding, but always retains its original shape again after usage. This ensures a long-lasting fit for different kinds of horses and makes sure that the saddle pads always stay symmetrical. This soft but strong material offers optimal shock absorption and protects the back of the horse.
The XChange® gullet plate system makes it easy to adjust the saddle width yourself in six easy steps for individual conformation, or changes in the horse. The Billet system and balance strap ensures increased stability of the saddle, and an extra pair of girth straps give the option to attach an additional single girth in front of the regular girth.
The Hrímnir Champion features a medium deep seat and is very popular among both professional trainers and pleasure riders. It has a more open and less deep seat than the Hrímnir Pro or Master saddle and allows the rider to move more freely in the saddle, while still offering a balanced position. Thick padding in the seat and support for the legs from the knee up to the skirt make this saddle especially comfortable. This model also features special support pads in front of the seat. The thigh blocks are placed underneath the flap for extra softness and comfort and there is an extra seam on the flap at the thigh block for additional comfort. They mainly support the thigh instead of the knee and offer a steady and strong leg position for all types of riders and are especially suitable for taller riders. The flap over the thigh blocks will adjust to the individual anatomy of the rider. Two layers of leather in the flap offer stability, flexibility and good grip. A thin padding of the saddle flap makes it especially soft and protects the stitching.
HrÍmnir Master
This saddle features a DuPont® saddle tree, which is a high-quality and high-tech saddle tree designed to guarantee optimal weight distribution on the horse's back, strength and flexibility of the saddle, and maximum comfort for horse and rider. In combination with the BayFlex® foam padding, the expert design of the saddle lets the horse move freely and allows harmonious and sustainable riding, helping the rider to sit in balance and to give fine-tuned aids in close contact with the horse. The BayFlex® foam padding conforms to the horse's back during riding, but always retains its original shape again after usage. This ensures a long-lasting fit for different kinds of horses and makes sure that the saddle pads always stay symmetrical. This soft but strong material offers optimal shock absorption and protects the back of the horse. This saddle also features an additional layer of BayFlex® foam in the soft seat, which makes this saddle very comfortable for the rider. Therefore, this saddle is also a good choice for long distance riders, or riders who get sore easily.
The XChange® gullet plate system makes it easy to adjust the saddle width yourself in six easy steps for individual conformation, or changes in the horse. The Billet system and balance strap ensures increased stability of the saddle, and an extra pair of girth straps give the option to attach an additional single girth in front of the regular girth.
The Hrímnir Master has been developed in close cooperation with riding instructors at Hólar University College and is very popular among its students. It features a deep seat and the Hrímnir-Soft seat with an extra layer of BayFlex® foam in the seat for superior comfort and safety and does not become compressed over time. The deeper seat and thigh blocks help the rider attain a correctly aligned position which allows very fine-tuned aids and correct balance for collection. This saddle suits various kinds of riders, but especially those who want to ride their horses in correct balance and posture, and who want to train their horses in dressage exercises and for competition. The thigh blocks are placed on the outside flap and mainly support the thigh instead of the knee. They offer a steady and strong leg position for all types of riders but are especially suitable for taller riders. They will adjust to the individual anatomy of the rider which ensures support at the correct area of the thigh.
HrÍmnir Elite
This saddle features a DuPont® saddle tree, which is a high-quality and high-tech saddle tree designed to guarantee optimal weight distribution on the horse's back, strength and flexibility of the saddle, and maximum comfort for horse and rider. In combination with the BayFlex® foam padding, the expert design of the saddle lets the horse move freely and allows harmonious and sustainable riding, helping the rider to sit in balance and to give fine-tuned aids in close contact with the horse. The BayFlex® foam padding conforms to the horse's back during riding, but always retains its original shape again after usage. This ensures a long-lasting fit for different kinds of horses and makes sure that the saddle pads always stay symmetrical. This soft but strong material offers optimal shock absorption and protects the back of the horse. This saddle also features an additional layer of BayFlex® foam in the soft seat, which makes this saddle very comfortable for the rider. Therefore, this saddle is also a good choice for long distance riders, or riders who get sore easily.
The XChange® gullet plate system makes it easy to adjust the saddle width yourself in six easy steps for individual conformation, or changes in the horse. The Billet system and balance strap ensures optimal stability of the saddle.
The luxurious Hrímnir Elite has been developed over the last years with professional trainers in Iceland, such as Þórarinn Eymundsson or Ásmundur Ernir Snorrason. We aimed to design an extraordinary comfortable saddle for horse and rider that helps the rider to sit easily in a balanced full seat in close contact to the horse. This saddle features a classical design with the deepest point in the middle of the seat for optimal weight distribution. Its seat and knee blocks support the rider very well in an extraordinary comfortable way. The Hrímnir Elite features a medium deep seat and the Hrímnir-Soft seat with an extra layer of BayFlex® foam in the seat for superior comfort and safety and does not become compressed over time. The knee blocks are placed on the outside of the flap and offer very good support and steadiness for the leg. They mainly support the rider at the area above the knee. The wider gullet channel offers best fit and weight distribution on the horse's back. This saddle features a monoflap for extra close contact (the stirrup leathers lie on top of the saddle flap). The Elite saddle is made of the best leather available on the market today, which is vegetable chrome tanned. This tanning process leads to a long-lasting colour and superior softness of the leather.
HrÍmnir Heritage
This saddle features a DuPont® saddle tree, which is a high-quality and high-tech saddle tree designed to guarantee optimal weight distribution on the horse's back, strength and flexibility of the saddle, and maximum comfort for horse and rider. Its patented AMS® synthetic wool panels allow for best universal fit on different horses. The very short/upswept panels accommodate also short backed or croup high horses and are ideal for the use on multiple horses. The patented AMS® synthetic wool panels are softer and kinder to the horse's back, and combined with the wider channel, encourage the horse to lift and use its back more effectively, while providing the rider with a smoother, shock absorbing ride. This saddle also features an additional layer of BayFlex® foam in the soft seat, which makes this saddle very comfortable for the rider. Therefore, this saddle is also a good choice for long distance riders, or riders who get sore easily.
The XChange® gullet plate system makes it easy to adjust the saddle width yourself in six easy steps for individual conformation, or changes in the horse. The Billet system and balance strap ensures optimal stability of the saddle.
The Hrímnir Heritage combines the most popular features of our other saddles in one model. It was developed with and tested by top trainers such as Viðar Ingólfsson and Arnar Bjarki Sigurðarson. The design of the saddle also includes new features, such as the double flap and anatomic knee rolls. This Hrímnir saddle clearly stands out for its distinctive look with a beautiful viking pattern on the flap and elegant metal plate at the cantle. A classical design with the deepest point in the middle of the seat guarantees optimal weight distribution. Its seat and knee blocks support the rider very well in an extraordinary comfortable way. The Hrímnir Heritage features a deep seat and the Hrímnir soft seat with an additional layer of BayFlex® foam, that offers superior comfort and safety and does not become compressed over time. The seat is specifically designed with minimal rigging under the leg to allow proper position and guarantees high comfort and good support for the rider. The anatomic knee rolls placed on the outside of the flap offer good support and steadiness for the leg without constricting or forcing the position. They mainly support the rider at the area above the knee. The wider gullet channel offers best fit and weight distribution on the horse's back. The double flap allows the rider to choose whether to have stirrup leathers placed over or under the flap. The front billet strap connects to the front of flap and straps the flap at front to the horse to create extra close contact. This Heritage saddle is made of the best leather available on the market today, which is vegetable chrome tanned. This tanning process leads to a long-lasting colour and superior softness of the leather.
How to position the saddle correctly
The saddle needs to be in the right position on the horse's back in order to judge its fit, and to allow the horse correct movement.
- The saddle needs to sit 2-3 fingers behind the shoulder blade and its muscles. Notice that the shoulder blade rotates backwards during every step and the saddle must not interfere with this movement.
- The saddle must nowhere touch the spinal processes, or the dorsal ligament system. This means that the gullet channel needs to be 3-4 fingers wide along the whole saddle.
- The saddle should not extend over L3 (3rd lumbar vertebra). You can find this vertebra by finding the last rib and drawing a straight line upwards to the spine. The saddle may extend as far as this point.
- Find the last rib again and follow it up to the spine to find T18 (18th thoracic vertebra). The main weight distribution of the rider should be in front of this point.
- The saddle panels should not be wider than where the edges of the longissimus dorsi muscle transition into the ribs.
- The billets and the girth should point vertically downwards and close where the girth is still supported by the breastbone, about one flat hand behind the elbow of the horse.
Helpful information
Try out our online Saddle Expert that gives you free online saddle guidance and helps you find the right saddle for you and your horse.
We also have experienced saddle fitters in our team in different countries. Please contact them if you would like advice on saddle fitting near your hometown.
For testing and choosing a Hrímnir saddle, please contact the next Hrímnir dealer closest to you. He will assist you in choosing the saddle that suits your and your horse’s needs best and ensure correct saddle fit.
Check out our other saddle equipment. There you can shop the Xchange Head Gullets to fit the saddle tree width individually to your horse and you can also find high-quality saddle pads and girths, that can help to improve the fit of your saddle furthermore and provide the horse with extra comfort. You can also find care products such as leather oil and leather soap to take good care of your saddle and protect it and other riding equipment from environmental damage. You will also find additional equipment such as stirrups, stirrup leathers and saddle covers.
