Interview
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Almost 5 years! A highly respected horse trainer in my area was using the Hidalgo saddle. I knew if she trusted the product, it had to be great. Turns out, I loved how they were designed and loved the intent.
“I spent years searching for a saddle that truly fit – without success. I tried countless models for my two horses and even bought several, but none of them fit properly. Many of those saddles are now gathering dust in my basement. Only with the Hidalgo saddle did I finally find the perfect solution. Thanks to its flexible leather tree, the saddle can be adjusted to fit both of my horses – something no other saddle had ever been able to offer. Now I can ride with confidence again, and both horses move freely and happily. I’m incredibly relieved and only wish I had discovered this solution sooner.
1. Heidrun, you’ve been riding with your Chicago Spezial for three years now – what first attracted you to this model?
Heidrun:
“I was immediately impressed by the combination of comfort, stability, and freedom of movement. The Chicago Spezial gives me wonderful balance in dressage work, and at the same time, I can go out on trail rides without changing anything. That versatility is exactly what I was looking for.”
2. You use the saddle on your Haflingers – how does the Chicago Spezial fit them?
Heidrun:
“Perfectly! My Haflingers are rather broad, and that’s where many saddle brands – especially leather tree ones – struggle. Hidalgo is different: their saddles are fantastic even for extra-wide horses. They adapt beautifully, sit quietly, and you simply ride them in. Nothing pinches, and my horses move freely and happily.”
3. What do you personally appreciate most about your Hidalgo saddle?
Heidrun:
“Definitely the close connection with the horse. I sit near, feel every movement, and yet it’s incredibly comfortable – even on long rides. I wouldn’t trade my Chicago Spezial for anything. I’m absolutely thrilled, especially because Hidalgo offers solutions where other brands reach their limits.”
1. You’ve been a loyal Hidalgo customer for over ten years and have just bought your seventh saddle – what do you value most about Hidalgo saddles?
Barbara:
“What impressed me from the very beginning is the incredible flexibility of the Hidalgo saddles. Over the years I’ve had several different horses, yet I’ve always been able to have my saddles perfectly adjusted. The quality and personal service are outstanding – you can feel that there’s real passion behind the brand.”
2. How do your horses move with Hidalgo saddles – what do you feel while riding and working with them?
Barbara:
“My horses move freely, relaxed and supple. I can immediately tell when they feel comfortable – and that’s always the case with Hidalgo. The leather tree saddles give me such a close contact and great feeling for the horse’s movement. It makes riding so much more harmonious for both of us.”
3. Which is your absolute favorite model – and why the Valencia Spezial?
Barbara:
“The Valencia Spezial is truly my favorite saddle. It perfectly combines elegance, comfort and functionality. I love the deep, secure seat and that close feeling with my horse. Plus, it’s just beautiful – classic yet modern. I’d buy it again any time!”
1. Ms. Heyn, what personally inspired you to become a Hidalgo saddle distributor?
As a riding instructor for refined equestrian art, I found in Hidalgo the ideal saddle for back-friendly riding and the finest communication with the horse. I want to share this unique connection with other riders.
2. How did you first come into contact with the Hidalgo brand – and what was your first impression?
Years ago, I borrowed a Hidalgo saddle after reading an article. A beautifully crafted Spanish saddle arrived – functional, elegant, and it perfectly shaped itself to my horse. I instantly felt that deep connection. I had found my dream saddle concept!
3. In your opinion, what makes Hidalgo saddles different from other brands?
Hidalgo means to me: a perfectly flexible leather tree, adjustable velcro panels, great shoulder freedom, and an exceptional riding feel – no rigid tree, no uneven wool stuffing, and no endless saddle adjustments!
4. What role did the flexible leather tree system play in your decision to work with Hidalgo?
I now ride exclusively with Hidalgo’s flexible leather tree system – and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
5. What fascinates you about the combination of Austrian expertise and craftsmanship at Hidalgo?
Hidalgo represents deep knowledge of biomechanics and physiology, continuous innovation, and limitless customization. Each saddle unites perfect fit, beauty, and comfort – a dream for horse and rider alike.
6. How do your clients react to Hidalgo saddles?
With amazement at first – and soon with true enthusiasm! They feel their horses’ movements more precisely and experience greater suppleness and harmony.
7. Is there a model that is particularly special to you?
Yes – the LISBOA! A Spanish-style saddle with a short flap for the finest aids and maximum closeness to the horse.
8. What experiences have you had with Hidalgo saddles for hard-to-fit horses?
Many recommendations come directly from osteopaths or veterinarians. For many riders, Hidalgo is the last hope after a long saddle search – and finally the perfect solution.
9. How important is individual consultation to you?
It’s essential. Trust grows when horse owners understand and feel the concept. And when special anatomical expertise is needed, the Hidalgo team is always there to help.
10. What are your hopes for the future of your collaboration with Hidalgo?
Passion, creativity, and continuous refinement will remain key. My advice: try Hidalgo – it’s the saddle for life, adaptable to every change.
Sielja, how did you first hear about Hidalgo, and what made you become a product tester?
I was looking for a new saddle for my horse Chato – something in a baroque style. I came across Hidalgo on Instagram and immediately fell in love with their leather tree system and all their beautiful saddles. That’s what made me say yes to becoming a product tester!
What was your first impression when you tried the Hidalgo Chicago dressage saddle for the first time?
The first time I sat in my Chicago saddle with the leather tree, I was amazed at how much movement I could suddenly feel. In my previous saddle, I never felt this close to my horse – it was a big change, but also a revelation!
What makes the Hidalgo leather tree system special for you compared to traditional saddles?
Definitely the freedom and mobility it gives my horses – combined with stylish design and great rider support!
You ride according to classical principles – how does the Chicago saddle support you on this traditional and horse-friendly path?
My Chicago saddle gives me great freedom in my legs. It doesn’t lock me in but helps me find balance and calmness. At the same time, it allows my horse to move freely, without any resistance from the saddle.
How did your horses react to the Hidalgo saddle?
(All your horses – have you noticed changes in movement, suppleness, or muscle development?)
All my horses started to move more freely after I switched to Hidalgo leather tree saddles – especially in their shoulders! My therapist has also noticed how relaxed and strong their backs have become.
Have you noticed changes in yourself – for example, in your seat, balance, or back?
Absolutely! My legs have become quieter and my seat much better. I can follow my horse’s movement much more naturally in my Hidalgo saddle because I feel the movement so closely, and because the horse can move with freedom instead of restriction.
You’ve been riding with this saddle for several years now – how has it held up over time?
All my Hidalgo saddles still look beautiful after years of use. They’re easy to maintain, and the quality is truly outstanding!
gives me support without taking away my freedom, and I’ve never had that feeling in any other saddle before.
How would you describe the feeling when you ride in the Hidalgo Chicago?
When I ride in my Chicago saddle, I feel at home – comfortable, supported, and completely at ease. It gives me support without taking away my freedom, and I’ve never had that feeling in any other saddle before.
What would you recommend to riders considering switching to a leather tree saddle?
Do it! You won’t regret it, and your horse will thank you for making that choice. It may feel strange to buy a saddle online with remote guidance, but don’t worry – you’re in great hands with Hidalgo, and you’ll be SO happy with your leather tree saddle. Once you’ve ridden in one, you’ll never go back!
If you had to describe the Hidalgo Chicago in three words – which would you choose?
Elegant. Supportive. Liberating.
Hello Yvonne, you’ve been with Hidalgo longer than many others. Tell us a bit about yourself, especially about your equestrian background, and of course when—and especially how—you first came across the leather tree and specifically Hidalgo?
My background… I’ve been riding since I was 6 years old, and ever since then it’s been clear to me that this is my calling. After finishing middle school, I went to the equestrian vocational school in Lambach, and after my training I worked in various jobs. But none of these jobs made me happy, so about 6 years ago I decided to become self-employed. I now finally work in my dream job and am a mobile human-and-horse trainer in Styria. In my work, I came across poorly fitting saddles almost daily, and since I wasn’t a saddler, I had to rely on them—though in the end you are often left alone. Expensive saddles are sold that, after half a year of training at the latest, don’t fit again. Through a stroke of luck, I met my trainer Harald Kalcher and with him the Hidalgo system. I was immediately fired up about the saddles and overjoyed to have found something I could adjust myself. The leather tree was the icing on the cake. From then on, I knew that none of my horses would ever again have a head iron on their back that would sooner or later begin to cause pressure. With every horse I get to bring a Hidalgo saddle to, I’m delighted, because I know it has the best saddle on its back that it could possibly have.
Where do you see the biggest deficiencies in the saddles you encounter when visiting clients? What problems or difficulties do you face frequently?
In most of the saddles I see, the head iron doesn’t fit (usually too narrow), and the length of the saddle is also very often an issue. Clients often call me saying, “I’m on my fourth saddle now and it still doesn’t fit.” Many horses tolerate poorly fitting saddles surprisingly well. They can’t reach their full potential with them, of course, but only a few horses actually resist. You usually see it in the atrophied muscles, mostly the trapezius. What I also see very often is an incorrect balance point of the saddle. Most saddles tip backwards, which is extremely uncomfortable for the horse.
A common rumor is that leather tree saddles feel “spongy.” As a trainer, what is your experience with the feeling of the Hidalgos? Is it a major adjustment for many riders? Do seat deficiencies become very noticeable?
I absolutely love the feeling of the Hidalgo saddles. The horse’s movement is transmitted incredibly well, and I don’t know any seat more comfortable than that of our Spanish models.
I’ve often experienced riders struggling at first with the seat. Their legs are all over the place, and for some, maintaining balance is a challenge. But that doesn’t surprise me at all. I recently sat in a very expensive dressage saddle from another brand and felt extremely restricted in my movement—like sitting in a child’s seat. It’s no wonder that riders lose their sense of balance and true leg position. If it already feels so horribly stiff for me as a rider, I don’t even want to imagine how it feels for the horse underneath. But because horses almost always move better in a Hidalgo saddle than in the previously “fitted” one, the owners end up buying it and essentially learn to sit anew.
On the other hand, the leather tree is described as very direct, with aids coming through clearly. What has been your experience with how horses react to the leather tree?
I can absolutely agree with the directness. That’s exactly what I love about the Hidalgos. Horses that get this saddle on their back for the first time loosen up noticeably within a few minutes. Especially the shoulders become much more relaxed. After all, no metal is pressing anymore.
What is your personal favourite model and why? And which model is most popular among your customers?
I like all the Spanish models, especially those that bring the leg position a bit closer and therefore are more direct to the horse, like the Barrocco and the Cordoba. What I love about the Spanish models is, first of all, the large contact area for the horse and, of course, the ultra-comfortable seat. The gallery gives you a secure feeling, which is especially helpful when training young horses. They are true all-round saddles. Perfect for dressage because they transmit the horse’s movement and my aids so well. I also always feel like the saddle places me beautifully upright. They are very comfortable for trail riding—for both horse and rider. Even small jumps are no problem. My customers also mostly buy Spanish models, and the bestseller is definitely the Valencia Spezial.
Is there a horse–rider pair that has particularly stuck in your memory?
Actually, I remember all of them. I always follow up to check if everything still fits, and when I’m in the area, I check again myself. I have many clients take photos of their horse’s back so I can compare after a while. What makes me happiest is seeing how well the muscles recover. I’ve seen so many horses whose trapezius muscle under the head iron had almost disappeared—and half a year later, there are no more “holes” in the sweat patterns. That’s the greatest joy for me: seeing how well the horses are doing with our Hidalgo saddles!
Web:
http://www.yvonne-hochstrasser.at/
Phone: +43 (0) 664 2788255
Email: yvonne.hochstrasser@gmail.com
Yvonne offers saddle tours in Carinthia, Burgenland, Styria, and the southern part of Lower Austria, Vienna, and further regions upon request. Many saddle models available for trial.
HIDALGO: Let’s go through the leather tree saddle layer by layer: How does a leather tree saddle differ from a traditional tree saddle?
The inside of a traditional tree saddle consists of a wooden or solid plastic tree. This is form-stable and usually not really flexible in the longitudinal or transverse axis. The leather tree, as the name suggests, is made of leather. Hardened leather is also form-stable but adapts through various factors like body heat and movement. This means the tree moves in both the longitudinal and transverse axes, and with each movement, it adjusts three-dimensionally, molding perfectly to the horse’s back over time.
What is the difference between a leather tree and a treeless saddle?
In a treeless saddle, there is no tree inside at all. These saddles are usually made of layered foam materials. They often sit rather “soft” and wide, which is not the case with the leather tree.
Can I do everything with a leather tree saddle, just like with any other traditional tree saddle? Long rides? Jumping? Or are there limits?
Definitely YES, EVERYTHING! You can do everything with a leather tree saddle. Especially, the aids come through more clearly and faster to the horse, and the horse moves much more freely because there’s no rigid tree and head iron restricting the movements. We have successfully tested our leather tree saddles on numerous trails, some even through mountains.
People often have respect for flexible trees because they’re afraid of creating pressure peaks while riding: Are there pressure measurements for your leather tree saddles? If so, what are the results?
Yes, that’s true. These prejudices are heard quite often. We have colleagues who check saddle fits using thermography, and it was found that the leather tree distributes pressure much more evenly than a traditional tree saddle. Also, the spinal channel in most traditional tree saddles is simply too narrow, which can cause issues for the horse, as the panels often press directly on the spinous processes and the spine.
There’s occasional criticism that leather tree saddles bend too much in the middle due to the rider’s weight – what do pressure measurements say about this?
As mentioned, the pressure measurement in a leather tree saddle was clearly better than in a traditional tree saddle. I haven’t encountered any issues with bending in the middle. We don’t know of any Hidalgo saddle that causes problems there.
Are there anatomical limits? For example, can it also work for a horse with a high withers?
It always depends a bit on the rider’s budget and the model series of the Hidalgo saddles, but in the special series from Hidalgo, there are no limits. Even horses with very short backs and high withers are not a problem.
What about horse breeds with special requirements, such as Icelandic horses or cold-blooded breeds?
These horses are generally not a problem either. As long as the horse and rider harmonize reasonably well, and the budget fits the situation, an appropriate solution can always be found. Especially in difficult cases, we are often the last resort, where things finally work out.
So, does the leather tree saddle fit every horse, or are there certain types of horses or backs where it’s not suitable?
We haven’t encountered any horse type that we couldn’t saddle.
What about the riders – is there a weight limit?
The saddle offers enough adjustment options to accommodate heavier riders. For example, you can order the panels with felt reinforcement, or the leather tree itself is partially reinforced with felt. The weight limit is more determined by the muscle structure and build of the horse.
Expressed in percentages: If a well-fitting wooden tree saddle provides 100% pressure protection, how much protection does the leather tree saddle provide?
Since we believe a well-fitting wooden tree saddle can’t provide 100% protection, because it can’t move with the horse, a well-fitted (to horse and rider!) Hidalgo saddle definitely provides much better pressure protection, as long as the rider is riding well. No saddle tree can completely compensate or absorb a poorly fitting, crooked, or unbalanced rider.
How can I tell if my leather tree saddle fits my horse and isn’t causing pressure?
By having it checked by a trained saddle fitter, regularly checking the horse’s back (or having it checked by an osteopath/physiotherapist), and listening to my horse while it’s moving. In most cases, horses clearly show when something isn’t sitting 100% and needs to be re-adjusted.
The leather tree is flexible, but it still needs to be adjusted, right?
Exactly, a leather tree (and also a treeless) saddle needs to be adjusted and checked just like any other saddle. Of course, the customer can, with a bit of skill, make some adjustments themselves on our saddles, thanks to the removable saddle panels, which isn’t possible with a traditional tree saddle.
How exactly is the saddle adjusted to the horse – what points or body areas are considered during the adjustment, and what parameters are there?
For a leather tree saddle, the same points are important as with a traditional saddle. The difference is that we don’t need to measure the gullet width in the traditional sense because the Hidalgo leather tree works without a head iron.
We first need to know the contact area of the horse’s back. We look at the horse’s shoulder and measure from behind the shoulder to the last rib. Then, we need the width of the spinal channel. We carefully examine the horse’s back and spine, looking at where the spinous processes start and end and where the long back muscle runs. This muscle is the one that can actually carry our weight. This means the panels need to rest here without compressing the spinous processes. We also look at where and how the girth placement runs. Based on this, and depending on how much space the shoulder needs, we know where to place the panels under the saddle.
Do I need to change the saddle if my horse gains or loses weight? Summer/Winter – Healthy and sick phases?
No, that’s the beauty of the leather tree saddle. They adapt and can always be re-adjusted to new conditions.
What makes Hidalgo leather tree saddles different from other leather tree saddles?
The quality of the leather, the fit, years of continuous model refinement (we’ve been on the market since 2007!), the flexible adjustment and ordering options, the great selection of different models, and the wide range of customization possibilities.
Why did you decide to make leather tree saddles?
Because of the variety of possibilities and the ability to continuously adjust the saddles. Not least to help many, sometimes truly desperate, horse-rider pairs with a convincing system.
How do you ensure your saddles don’t cause pressure?
By regularly conducting pressure tests, constantly checking the saddles, and asking for suggestions for improvements. Of course, we can’t address specific cases here, as every horse is different and every rider rides differently. Pressure, in particular, is a topic that should be addressed individually.
Specifically, because they need to be broken in – what does that mean (how long, how often, how much), and how does the “new saddle” feel compared to a broken-in one?
Breaking in takes about 30 intense rides.
The “new saddle” is often described by my customers as feeling a bit distant from the horse and “perched.” But this feeling usually disappears after 3-4 rides, and with each ride, the rider gets closer to the horse and better seated. The leg position forms, and the saddle becomes like a “couch.”
Is it difficult if you want to use it, for example, on a young horse?
For test rides on a young horse, I always use well-broken-in test saddles. But of course, you can also use a new leather tree saddle on a young horse. It can be readjusted with every change. That’s the great thing about the system. It may take a bit longer to break in a saddle on a young horse, but with this saddle, I have something that can last a lifetime and can be adjusted as needed. With a traditional tree saddle, you would probably have to buy a new one every six months.
At which points can I adjust your saddle to fit the horse? (Tree? Head iron? Padding? – how exactly and more?)
Since we don’t have a head iron in our saddles, that’s not an issue. The “gullet” adapts automatically. The tree also adapts on its own, but for very wide horses, there’s the option to order the saddle, or more precisely, the shaping element in the area of the stirrup bar, wider. The panels are the main part of the adjustment. These come in different lengths, shapes, thicknesses, materials/fillings, etc. And of course, the seat size of the saddle has to fit both the horse and rider.
How long have you been around, and how and why did you develop your saddles?
Hidalgo has been around since 2007 and has constantly grown. The company was founded for one simple reason: …to finally find a saddle that fits.