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The Prestige Saddle Tree: characteristics and merits

The tree in Prestige saddles has been designed to adapt perfectly to the horse and to maintain the best seat for the rider. Made of a special mix of fibres, it is at least 1 kg lighter than traditional saddles and needs no metal reinforcement.
This saddle has advantages over those made of natural materials, like wood.
Though wood is elastic, it still has “life” in it. For this reason as atmospheric conditions change and the years go by the characteristics of the wood change, becoming less stable and less resistant.

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The Prestige tree, on the other hand, was purpose designed to provide the same elasticity as one made of wood while, at the same time, ensuring maximum stability over time. It is no chance matter that it offers a lifetime’s guarantee, except in the case of an accident.

In addition, the width of a Prestige saddle can always be altered. It can be narrowed or widened, depending on the shape of the horse, without having to take the saddle apart. For this reason even when the shape of the horse changes the product remains usable.

The saddle must be positioned in such a way that there is enough space between the shoulder and the saddle so that shoulder movement is not restricted.

The way to do this is to run the end of your hand over the shoulder of the horse until you detect the scapula bone. Allow for a minimum width of about four fingers and that is the place to position the saddle. This will leave a space, the width of the palm of your hand, between the scapula and the girth. Remember that the front part of a jumping saddle could project upfront the shoulder of the horse but the fixed part, the tree, must never do so.

CORRECTLY POSITIONING THE SADDLE

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PrestigeFIVE CARDINAL RULES

1 - Tree size: If a saddle is correctly positioned the tree will extend parallel to the back of the horse and as close as possible to it. 


2 - Consideration for the horse’s backbone and withers: The width between the saddle panels must make proper allowance for the horse’s spine and not bear down on it under the weight of the rider. The size of the front arch of the saddle must be such as to enable compliance with the age-old “4-fingers” rule (corresponding to about 5 cm) between the pommel and the withers of the horse. 


3 - Balancing: Once the right tree size has been found, the next step is to ensure the saddle is properly balanced. When it rests in position, the saddle must conform to the horse’s back in a way that evenly distributes the weight of the rider over the entire surface and so prevents it bearing down too much to the front (the scapula bones of the horse) or to the back (the loins of the horse). 


4 - Contact by the panels: The panels must, in their entirety and along their full length, form a snug fit with the horse’s back. This will ensure proper distribution of the weight of the rider. 


5 - Symmetry: Look at the horse from the rear and check that the saddle rests parallel to the backbone of the horse and is positioned symmetrically about it If the saddle complies with these five rules it will be properly positioned and be comfortable for the horse.