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Has the Gaston Mercier been proven in competition?
Our saddles are designed by Gaston Mercier who was European endurance Champion in 1984 and 1986.
The position concepts, the materials and the features of the saddles all originated from experience
at the highest level of competition. In 2005, top champions ride in our saddle as illustrated by the
results of the 2005 endurance world championship in the United Arab Emirates: The world champion and
second place individual medalists, both rode in a Gaston Mercier saddle. Similarly, 3 out of 4 riders
in the first place team, also rode in a Gaston Mercier saddle. It is also important to note that several
of our staff are involved in endurance and competitive trail riding, or are avid trail riders, also
bringing their personal experience to our designs. Our experience in competition is coupled with the
feedback form our customers to develop the most advance technical solutions.
What information do I need to provide to get me started?
The information we need to select a demo saddle or to design a custom saddle for you and
your horse is as follows:
- Horse: Photos (profile and top of the back), Height, Weight, Girth circumference (If required, we will advise you to provide a tracing, and we may ultimately recommend the use of an Equimeasure kit)
- Rider: Height, Pant inseam length, Weight, Shoe Size
- Saddle: Type (Please refer to our web site)
How long does it take to receive my custom saddle?
We will deliver your saddle in approximately 16 weeks from the time of the order, provided
all the relevant information on your horse and your sizes is received in the first 4 week
period.
How do you fit the saddle to the horse?
We work from three levels of information, as required. In about 80 percent of the cases, we
work from photos of the horse, especially the full profile including the shoulder and the
croup of the horse, as well as a photo of the top of the back of the horse. If we judge
necessary, we may ask you for a tracing of the horse's back, starting at the crest of the
wither, and to the end of the rib cage. For the most difficult horses to fit, or cases when
photos are difficult to interpret (say a white horse), we may advise the use of an
Equimeasure kit. We provide the full service, including the kit itself, shipping two ways,
and the interpretation of the information for a fee of $175.
For more information read Views on Endurance Saddle Fitting...(opens in new window)
Can I use one saddle on multiple horses?
Yes, if the horses are not drastically different. The saddle position behind the horse's
13th vertebrae (Most English saddles are positioned 2 to 4 vertebrae forward), that is
behind the wither and the scapula is more forgiving. As a result a tree size and shape may
fit more horses than one could think at first. If your horses vary extensively in
conformation, one option is to fit the most "wide", and use engineered tapered shims for the
thinner horses. Our experience with clients that own and ride a variety of horses, sometimes
as many as 50, is that 2 to 3 tree sizes will fit over 80% of their horses.
What kind of guarantees do you offer?
The saddle is guaranteed for defects for one year, and the tree is guaranteed for 10 years.
Every saddle is identified by a serial number and the initial specifications matched years
down the road, regardless of the potential changes in ownership.
Can I replace the tree if I acquire a drastically different horse, conformation wise?
Yes, we can replace the tree at a cost of $500. Another option is to use the saddle replacement program: we will
take the saddle back at 20 % off the on going retail price within the first year, and 30% for year 2, 40 % off for
year 3 and 50% off after 4 years, provided that the saddle was properly maintained. (Extravagant color choices may
constitute an exception to this guideline.)
Do you have used saddles?
Those are relatively rare, but on occasion, we have used saddles issued from our demo or
saddle replacement programs.
What can I use to maintain your saddle?
The leather is already treated for outdoor use, so limited maintenance treatment is needed.
We recommend washing the saddle with glycerin soap. Applying a conditioner 2 to 4 times a
year depending on intensity of use and climate. (Higher frequency for dryer climate). Oils
of all kind should be avoided at all cost, as they will drastically change the colors,
weaken the leather and the seams.
What kind of flocking material do you use?
While traditional saddlers use wool for panel flocking, we have elected to use synthetic
foam. Indeed, wool has 2 major disadvantages: it compacts, creating pressure points, and it
moves, also creating discomfort and pressure points. Serious traditional saddlers recommend
to reflock a saddle once or twice a year. The open cell foam we use alleviates those
problems. The foam always regains it original shape and density: no compaction, no movement,
just a comfortable smooth panel for the life of the saddle.
What is the weight of the saddle?
Our saddles are some of the lightest in the industry starting at just 8 lbs. The weight
varies slightly based on the size of the seat and the saddle flaps. Our fiber glass tree in
only about 2.1/4 lbs, while our carbon fiber tree can further reduce the weight by 1.1/4 lb.
Light weight is generally a benefit as it is easier for the rider to saddle up and down, and
leads to less fatigue for the horse. However, on occasion additional weight may be required
for an FEI ride. For those light riders who need additional weight to meet the requirements,
we offer a few ergonomic solutions:
- Specially designed weighted pads, which can accommodate from 8 to 32 lbs of lead sheets: The weight is located close to the center of gravity of the horse, and is secured to avoid any bouncing whatsoever.
- When just a few pounds are needed, a Sortbothane inserts in the pad can be the right solution. In addition to providing shock adsorption, Sorbothane can add about 1-1/2 lbs per layer.
- Finally, we can take advantage of the hollow nature of our tree to fill them with a weighting material. This option is inexpensive, but lacks the flexibility of adding/removing the weight as needed.
Heart rate monitors (HRM) are commonly used but can be awkward. How do you accommodate an HRM?
We offer two innovative options: 1) integration of the HRM electrodes and emission module
in the pad or 2) integration of the HRM electrodes and emission module in the cinch.
In both cases, the electrodes are integrated in an ergonomic fashion, which does not create
any discomfort whatsoever for the horse and without any dangling wires in the way. All you
need to do is saddle up and wear the receiver watch!!!
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