I would like to order a new ZALDI saddle. How does this work and what options do I have?

Our company name is BIENESTARCABALLO®, which means “the well-being of the horse”. And that is the most important to us. That’s why we always recommend that the saddle is made to the horse’s (and rider’s) measurements.

On our website www.zaldionline.com you will find all models, extras, information about the test saddles, photos (in the gallery) and videos (in the description of almost all saddles, as well as on our YouTube channel BIENESTARCABALLO (by Susanne Nagel)

How is a Zaldi saddle made and what should you bear in mind?

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO (SORRY CURRENTLY ONLY IN GERMAN)

Customised production:

Option 1 (Only available where are EQUIscan measurer).

We work with the EQUIscan® Topograph. Check here your closest measurer available: https://www.equiscan.de/en/equiscan-en (in Spain contact us directly).

If you don´t have access to an EQUIscan measurer, please jump to Option 2 and 3.

We are happy to organise the measurement for you. This costs €120 plus travel costs, and the total amount must be paid directly to the measurer at the time of the measurement. Simply get in touch with us to enquire about a measurement and we will take care of everything!

Based on the measurement data, we at BIENESTARCABALLO will discuss with ZALDI whether the saddle you have chosen is suitable for your horse and for you and whether any special details need to be taken into account, such as a U-shaped tree instead of the standard V-shape, or similar.

You can then choose the colour or colour combination of the saddle, as well as various other extras, some free and some at extra cost.

In principle, all the saddles listed on our website can be made to measure for you and your horse, provided that the proportions of horse and rider and the length of the contact surface are correct.

The cost of having a saddle made to partial measurements, including a documented fit check at Zaldi, is €164.

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO ABOUT THE MANUFACTURING WITH EQUISCAN

The saddle is then manufactured by Zaldi. We then organise shipping directly to your home. The delivery time may vary. Please enquire!

You can either order through the website www.zaldionline.com: The Saddle plus the “Making The Saddle Based On The EQUIscan Measurements”- (in Extras), or contact us by **email or phone/WhatsApp.

Option 2:

You want a standard size saddle as you will not be using it for a specific horse.

Then simply order the saddle online. You can choose the seat size and different leather colours*. You can also choose an exchangeable gullet plate.

The standard size has a centre-to-centre distance of the gullet plate of approx. 32/33 cm. The contact surface depends on the seat size. You can order short or full-length panels (for the English saddles).

The production time for these saddles is shorter than that of customised saddles.

Option 3:

You do not have access to an EQUIscan measurer? Then we can send you a special measuring template and help you measure your horse by means of a Whatsapp video call. Please talk to us about this option!

Option 4:

Do you already know the width of the centre points (also known as gullet plate size), the contact length and the channel width for the saddle you require? Then please contact us directly to produce your saddle according to the given measurements!

Are the saddles customisable?

Yes, all the saddles you find on our website are adjustable. The gullet plates can be cold-adjusted, and the panels (if made of wool) can be filled and/or customised.

A replaceable gullet plate can be changed by the customer him/herself.

For the manufacture of partially customised saddles, we fit wool panels to saddles that come (normally) with latex panels. Due to the nature of the material, it is not possible to fit latex panels exactly to the shape of the horse’s back. In these cases, there is an additional cost of €133.

Saddlers normally have a saddle press with which the angle and/or the distance between the centre points can be changed.

All modifications can be carried out also at ZALDI. Please contact us for a quote and to organise the modification of your saddle at ZALDI, including collection from you and return shipping. We offer this service only for saddles bought through us.

I have a young horse (or another one) that is likely to change a lot. Does a partially customised saddle make sense right from the start?

Yes! Especially with young horses, it is very important to start with “the right shoe” so that they don’t immediately associate the (possibly unsuitable) saddle with pain. An unsuitable saddle at the start of training can also cause long-term damage early on.

And all saddles on our website are adjustable (see the previous point!)

We quote Jochen Schleese from the book “The silent killer”:

A saddle that can be altered throughout the horse’s life may mean a slightly higher investment at the time of purchase, but in the long run the buyer saves money by not having to buy a new saddle repeatedly.

We therefore recommend a partially customised saddle for every horse and a regular check and possible adjustment/modification of the saddle. If a horse has lost a lot of muscle or weight, for example due to an acute illness, a change of stable or for other reasons, and it is to be expected that this will change in the foreseeable future, you can currently help yourself with equalising pads. We will be happy to advise you.

I would like to try a Zaldi saddle.

How does that work?

We currently have 7 test saddles. These have been selected and manufactured based on a survey in the Facebook groups and are now travelling through different countries, from our rental base in Heidelberg, Germany.

As it is highly unlikely that the test saddle will fit your horse perfectly, the rental is mainly intended for inspection and testing by the rider, in order to assess the size and feel of the saddle, as the saddle would later be manufactured using the desired or established measurements. So, the fact that you may fall backwards or forwards in the saddle or that the horse does not move freely may be due to the saddle not fitting the horse. The test saddles have a “chamber width” (distance between the centre points) of 32/33 cm. If the saddle does not fit your horse, you may want to try it out on a saddle block or on another horse.

Due to the wide range of Zaldi saddles and the many different sizes and horse measurements, it is unfortunately impossible for us to stock test saddles of all models and sizes. Depending on demand, we will of course expand our range. Please let us know which other model you would like to try for the selection of other saddles at a later date.

How does the test saddle hire work?

You apply for the test saddle hire for a period of 7 days on the basis of a contract which we will send you in advance and in which all the details are listed. We will then arrange a date with you.

The hire fee including shipping to you and administration costs for a trial period of 7 days is €90 (EU countries only), which must be paid in advance.

A deposit of €2.000 for the Drim Atlanta or the Kira Klass, or €1.000 for the San Jorge half-deep, the Ronda Campera, the Kent 2G, Royal Profunda and the Lusitanus, must be paid by bank transfer within three days of signing the contract.

If you live within a 50km radius of Heidelberg, it is possible to arrange a test with one (or several) saddles in person for a trial without a deposit.

The deposit can either be used as a down payment for the purchase of a new saddle or, if you won´t buy a saddle, it will be refunded immediately as soon as the test saddle is back at its rental base.

Please return the saddle to the dispatch address in Heidelberg at your own expense no later than two days after the end of the loan period.

KLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT TEST SADDLES

*Leather colours:

Please be sure to read the information on the different leather colours (on the homepage) and/or watch this video:

KLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO ABOUT THE LEATHER MATERIAL AND COLOURS

What are the delivery times?

– Standard items are normally in stock at Zaldi and will be delivered in approximately 7 working days. If an item in your order is not available, we will contact you to offer you an alternative (either another item or a refund).

– Leather items made by Zaldi, in different colours, sizes or with other details such as leather gaiters, snaffles, felt rugs, sheepskin covers (Zaleas), as well as standard saddles in the desired seat size and colour, etc. are delivered in approximately 30 days or less.

– The delivery time for saddles that are partially customised with EQUIscan and/or custom-made saddles is variable. Please enquire!

An order with several items (standard/stock and customised items) will only be dispatched when all the material are ready for shipping. If you would like to receive an item earlier, please place separate orders. 

Are used saddles also available?

We often have display or trial saddles at special prices or can help you sell customer saddles. Please contact us by e-mail at

 Where can I find videos of the saddles?

On the website, in the description of the individual saddles, there are links to videos of the saddles almost everywhere. In addition, all videos are on our YouTube channel:

KLICK HERE FOR THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Most of the saddles we sell have the manufacturer’s product warranty, 2 years on the saddle and 10 years on the tree.

Where can I find photos of different saddles?

KLICK HERE FOR THE PHOTO GALLERY

For more information, please contact us by e-mail: info@zaldionline.com or contact us via WhatsApp or phone: +49 178 2138739