Anatomy of a Passier saddle

Ordering a custom saddle means choosing a seat size, a tree width, a color and sometimes a few options. So that this terminology does not become an obstacle, here are the official Passier diagrams, part by part, with the English translation of each term. The diagrams are provided by Passier and remain labeled in English: the glossary below each image provides the link.

The dressage saddle

Passier diagram: the parts of a dressage saddle, using the Corona II as an example

Example: the Corona II dressage saddle.

The seat and cantle

Seat — seat: the part you sit on. Its length determines the seat size, in inches.
Pommel — pommel: the raised front of the saddle.
Cantle — cantle: the raised back. The higher it is, the more support it provides the rider.
Twist — twist: the narrow part between the thighs. A narrow twist brings the leg closer to the horse.
Front and rear raised seams — front / rear raised seam: the raised stitching framing the seat.
Seat padding — padding: the padding beneath the seat leather.

What touches the horse

Gullet — gullet: the clear space above the withers. On Passier saddles, it is adjustable, and can be adjusted several times if necessary.
Head plate — head plate: the metal part at the front of the tree, which the saddler opens or closes to adjust the saddle.
Gusseted panels — gusseted panels: the panels that support the saddle on the horse's back.
Flocking — flocking: the wool contained in the panels. This is what is adjusted during a refitting.

The rider's leg

Flap — flap: the large leather panel beneath the leg.
Sweat flap — sweat flap: the inner panel, between the flap and the horse.
Thigh block — thigh block, thigh roll — thigh roll, thigh support — thigh support: three forms of support, from a pronounced block to a simple raised area.
Knee pad — knee pad: contoured (contoured) or shaped (shaped).
Stirrup leather keeper — stirrup leather keeper / loop: where the excess stirrup leather is stored.
Stirrup bar — stirrup bar: the bar that holds the stirrup leather, beneath the skirt (skirt).
Boot protection — boot protection: the leather reinforcement where the boot rubs.

The girthing system

Billet straps — billet straps: the straps to which the girth is buckled.
Point billet strap — point billet strap: the forward billet strap, which prevents the saddle from tipping forward.
Breastplate dee ring — breastplate dee ring.
Saddle maker plate — saddle maker plate: it bears your saddle's individual number. Using this number, Passier can reproduce exactly the same model, even years later.

The jumping saddle

Passier diagram: the parts of a jumping saddle, using the Comet III as an example

Example: the Comet III jumping saddle.

The terminology is the same, with a few parts specific to jumping:

Knee block — knee block and knee roll — knee roll: the support at the front of the flap, crucial upon landing.
Calf block — calf block: the small rear block that prevents the leg from moving back.
Tree point — tree point: the front end of the tree, beneath the sweat flap.
Billet guard — billet guard, with its cut-out (cut-out): it protects the flap from the girth buckles.
Stitches to open for reflocking — stitches to open for reflocking: the stitching the saddler undoes to refill the panels.

What can be adjusted and what must be chosen

Three things can be adjusted after purchase by a saddler: the gullet, the panel flocking and, on certain models, the position of the blocks when they are attached with Velcro.

Two things are chosen when ordering and cannot be changed afterward: the seat size and the tree family. Passier makes two:

The PS tree, made of wood and leather, hand-assembled in Langenhagen in more than 1,200 steps. Seven seat sizes, from 16" to 19", and an adjustable gullet from 24 to 32 cm.
The synthetic tree, made of elastomer, which does not break under normal use. Five seat sizes, from 16" to 18", and an adjustable gullet from 25 to 31 cm.

The standard gullet is 27.5 cm: it fits nearly 70% of horses. The fitting options — widened head plate, frt-System®, “The Lifter” panels, cantle opened by 15°… — are detailed on each product page, along with their prices.

What about your horse?

A Passier saddle is built to your horse's measurements. Our saddle measurement guide explains step by step how to take a wire-back measurement, which three photos to provide and how to complete the form. We remain available to discuss this with you before placing an order.