Saddle Talk #1: Devoucoux Sellier, Saddle Fit for Horse and Rider

Jun 6, 2024

Brand Breakdown: Devoucoux Sellier

Experience a luxury ride when you sit in a Devoucoux saddle, made by the French brand synonymous with quality and dedicated to horse and rider harmony since 1985.

Each saddle is carefully handcrafted by skilled artisans, requiring over 18 hours of precision work in cutting, assembling, stitching, and oiling. This dedication ensures that every saddle delivers unmatched quality and durability.

An example of Devoucoux's dedication to innovation and precision is their D3D Technology, which uses 3D scanning and modeling to improve saddle balance through horse and rider movement and optimize weight distribution across the panels. This technology provides optimal comfort and performance through wider and more flexible panels, allowing for more freedom of the spinal column and unrestricted shoulder movement. Their commitment to horse and rider performance makes Devoucoux a preferred choice among many top riders.

5 Things to Love about Devoucoux:

Innovative Technology

Devoucoux continually invests in research and development to incorporate cutting-edge technology into their saddle designs to benefit horse and rider. This commitment to innovation results in unique features that enhance rider comfort and horse performance.

Customization Options

Devoucoux offers extensive customization options for their saddles, allowing riders to tailor every aspect of their saddle to their specific preferences and needs. From leather type and color to flap length and block placement, riders can create a saddle that is truly their own.

Exceptional Craftsmanship

Each Devoucoux saddle is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans in their workshops in France. The attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into every saddle is evident in the quality and durability of the final product.

Focus on Rider Experience

Devoucoux prioritizes the rider's experience above all else, striving to create saddles that not only encourage exceptional performance but also provide unmatched comfort and support. Their dedication to rider satisfaction sets them apart in the industry.

Commitment to Sustainability

From their use of plant tannins to minimizing saddle packaging weight and dimensions using recycled shipping materials, Devoucoux makes efforts across all aspects of their operations to reduce their environmental impact.

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4 Step Guide to Determining English Saddle Seat Size

Step 1: Sit in the Saddle

𐂃 Place the saddle on a rack or saddle buck and sit in a relaxed, balanced position. At first, it's best to do this without a horse, so you can focus solely on how the saddle feels.
𐂃 Position your seat bones in the deepest part of the saddle. It can help to find this "sweet spot" of the seat by drawing your knees up so they rest on top of the knee roll/block and your thighs are parallel to the floor. Shimmy your seat bones gently side to side until they are resting comfortably. This will put your seat in the correct location from front to back and side to side in the saddle.
𐂃 Check for clearance by sliding your hand between your bottom and the cantle of the saddle. You should be able to fit about four fingers behind your seat (a very deep dressage saddle seat may feel like less), and your crotch should not feel jammed up against the pommel.

Step 2: Are You Comfortable?

𐂃 Ensure your legs rest comfortably against the flaps and thigh blocks, if the saddle has them. You should not feel jammed into a particular position, and any features of the saddle (like a deep seat or large thigh blocks) should complement your natural proportions and seat. Avoid selecting a saddle that forces you into a particular position, as you will spend all of your riding time feeling like you're "fighting" the saddle. If it feels bad on a stationary saddle buck or rack, it's unlikely to feel better on a moving horse.
𐂃 Test the saddle for comfort by sitting in it for a few minutes before you decide to try it on your horse. Pay attention to any areas of discomfort or pressure points. You should not feel forced into a particular position. You do not want to feel “pulled apart” at the hips, or braced in your knees, hips, seat, or back.

Step 3: Check Your Balance

𐂃 Evaluate the balance of the saddle and how it affects your center of gravity. Notice if it feels like you're being tipped forward onto your crotch or pushed too far back on your seat bones. Your torso should rest in a relaxed and upright position, perpendicular to the ground.

Step 4: Try, Try Again

𐂃 If the saddle fails to fit you, keep trying different sizes and brands until you find the best fit. Remember, there can be big differences in feel between brands, and many of them offer a variety of options for seat styles and flap sizes and positions. Sit in as many saddles as possible to find the best fit for you. When it feels right, you'll know!

𐂃 Once you find something worth trying, ride in the saddle a few times before you decide to keep it. Consider scheduling a lesson or two with your trainer or setting up an appointment with your saddle fitter while you have a saddle on trial to get extra opinions and ensure you've found a great fit for you and your horse. Ready to try a saddle? Read about our trial policies for all riders, whether you're local to our stores or live far away.

Still have Questions?

𐂃 Consult a Professional: If you're unsure about rider saddle fit or need assistance, our expert staff is here to help. Stop in to any of our Three Store Locations and sit in any saddle you'd like so you get the feel for different sizes, fits, and styles. Stop in or give us a call, we’re here to help! Live too far away to visit? Email us a photo of you sitting in your saddle for a free assessment!

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Saddle Building Block #1: The Tree

What is a Saddle Tree?

When shopping for saddles, you'll often see references to tree width, tree point length, tree materials, shape, and "dot to dot" measurements, to name a few. These are all indicators of tree dimensions to give an idea of how a saddle may fit a horse. But what is a saddle tree, anyway?

Think of a saddle tree as the skeleton of the saddle, providing the framework that determines how a rider's weight is distributed across a horse's back. It determines the shape and fit of the saddle, and no adjustments to flocking or use of half pads will change the tree's structure.

Different Trees for Different Horses

Many saddle fitters will have bare saddle trees to try on your horse when they provide a fitting or assessment. This helps determine the tree structure most compatible with your horse's conformation. Different brands offer unique tree dimensions, materials, sizes, and shapes, so you may see significant differences in fit between say a Stubben and a CWD, even if they're both the same size and width.

What are Saddle Trees Made Of?

Saddle trees can be crafted from various materials, with pros and cons to each. Traditional wooden trees, often made from laminated layers of hardwood, and sometimes reinforced with spring steel, provide durability and a classic aesthetic, but they are heavier. Newer options include materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, and synthetic polymers like polyethylene. These materials are strong, flexible, and lightweight, making them popular choices for high performance riders.

The Tree Determines Rider Position

Saddle trees are also the basis for the three main styles of english saddles: Close Contact, Dressage, and All Purpose. The biggest difference between these types is the distance between the "sweet spot" of the seat and the stirrup bar. We will cover this more in a future edition, so make sure you're subscribed and stay tuned!

At the end of the day, the right saddle is always the one that works best for you and your horse.

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7 Signs Your Saddle Doesn't Fit Your Horse

Ensuring your horse's comfort under saddle is paramount for both performance and well-being. But how do you know if your saddle isn't fitting quite right? Keep an eye out for these telltale signs:

1. Your Saddle Doesn't Fit You!

It's not uncommon to hear someone saddle shopping say "it doesn't matter if it fits me, as long as it fits the horse." Unfortunately, it doesn't work this way. A saddle is meant to distribute your weight evenly across your horse's back. It's designed to do so, assuming the rider is positioned with their seat bones in the "sweet spot" of the seat, and the flap and knee rolls fit the rider's natural leg position. While a saddle that is too small for the rider may arguably do more harm than a saddle that is too large, both extremes will put the rider out of balance and cause unevenly distributed pressure. Ready to learn more about finding the right seat size? Read our 4 Steps to Find the Perfect Saddle Seat Size.

2. Blood, Hair Loss, White Hairs, & Rub Marks

In cases of severely improper saddle fit, especially with insufficient wither clearance, you may find hair loss, rub marks, or even blood from the friction. Frequent exposure to these pressure points may cause hair to grow back without pigment (white hairs) or cause complete hair loss in the affected area. If you notice any of these signs, stop using the saddle immediately and contact a fitter for an evaluation. Continuing to use an ill-fitted saddle can cause long-term damage to your horse's muscling, nerves, and soft tissue.

3. Uneven Sweat Patterns After Riding

Excessive or lack of sweating in certain areas, or uneven sweat patterns after riding may indicate the presence of pressure points or uneven weight distribution. This does not always mean there is an improper fit, so always consult with a professional saddle fitter if you’re unsure.

4. Your Horse's Behavior or Performance Changes

If you notice changes in your horse's behavior, such as resistance, bucking, or reluctance to move forward, it's worth having the fit of your saddle checked. Changes in behavior both under saddle and on the ground could signal pain or discomfort caused by saddle fit issues.

5. Your Horse is Stiff or Resistant

If your horse has difficulty bending or moving freely forward, particularly during warm-up or lateral movements, may indicate discomfort or restriction caused by poor saddle fit. They may suck back, get crooked, hollow their back, or in severe cases, bolt, buck, or rear.

6. You Notice Soreness or Muscle Atrophy

Visible muscle atrophy (wasting) or soreness, especially along the spine, shoulders, or withers, can result from prolonged uneven or improper biomechanics and way of going from poor saddle fit. Palpate your horses back along the spine and notice any areas of reactivity or discomfort. The horse may twitch their skin, brace their back muscles, or hollow their spine away from your touch if they are sore. If they're very sore, they may try to bite or kick, so be cautious if you suspect your horse is back sore.

7. Resistance to Girthing

If your horse displays signs of discomfort or resistance when tightening the girth, such as biting, kicking, ear pinning, back hollowing, or teeth grinding, it could be due to poor saddle fit. Horses should remain relaxed and attentive through out the tacking up process. Signs of pain or discomfort are not normal and should be investigated with your vet and saddle fitter to determine and address the cause.

If you notice any of these signs, it's essential to address them promptly to prevent further discomfort, injury, or long-term damage. Consulting with a qualified saddle fitter can help identify and remedy saddle fit issues, ensuring your horse's comfort and well-being.

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Stay tuned for more Saddle Talk!

Finding a properly fitted saddle is essential in your riding journey for peak performance and wellbeing of horse and rider. Explore our range of top-quality saddles, including fabulous options from Devoucoux, at Maryland Saddlery. Stay tuned for the next edition of Saddle Talk for even more juicy tips and advice!

Back to Saddle Talk: Expert Insights on English Saddles