Help and advice

Adjustable Saddles – Everything You Need to Know

The beauty of an adjustable saddle lies in the flexibility it offers as your horse changes shape.

From young horses muscling up, feeling very different from one season to the next, to those whose workload changes across the year. 

In such situations, an adjustable saddle is the perfect option.

Of course, that doesn’t mean any adjustable saddle will do. Tree shape, panel shape, saddle length and rider balance all need to suit the horse properly. The adjustability is there to help fine-tune the saddle's design rather than finding one model to fit every horse.

If you are just beginning your search, our adjustable saddles collection is a great place to start, from practical GPs to jump and dressage models.

Sheepham also offers a free gullet change on eligible saddles, which is reassuring when your fitter has advised on the width you need.

Why riders search for adjustable saddles

Adapting to your horse’s changing body shape

Perhaps the standout benefit is that an adjustable saddle can adapt brilliantly to change. Ideal for a young horse still growing, one returning to work, or a cob that broadens in the build-up to a busier eventing season.

It’s also incredibly useful when multiple riders are involved, and you need a reliable, versatile saddle that offers flexibility as the horse develops.

It’s no surprise, then, that brands like Thorowgood, Kent & Masters, GFS, Bates and Fairfax consistently lead the way. Riders and fitters are familiar with the systems, and there is a good spread of models to choose from.

Shop more adjustable saddles → 

How to choose the right adjustable saddle

Start with the horse, then narrow the model

The best way to choose the right adjustable saddle is to think about your horse’s shape first and the gullet system second. A flatter-backed cob, for instance, may need something quite different from a higher-withered sport horse, even if both riders want an adjustable saddle.

If you start with the horse’s profile and the job the saddle needs to do, your shortlist typically becomes much easier to narrow down.

It is often worth looking through the wider used second-hand saddles range as well, simply because it helps you compare shapes more realistically. Then, once you have a sensible shortlist, use the 5 Day UK Trial with your own qualified saddle fitter involved. 

That gives you the best chance of finding a saddle that sits well, feels right and works properly in real riding conditions.