Kieffer Saddles?

[TheBrightSide06]

What do you all think about the Kieffer Dressage Saddles? I am looking at one to move away from my Wintec 500. Are they good? Do they put your leg and seat in the correct position?
Any info is great!!
-Emily

[Brown Horse]

I have an OLD brown Kieffer dressage saddle and I LOVE it! The flaps seem smaller than other saddles. At least, they are on mine. They're also not QUITE as deep seated. I like that, though. I'd definitely take one on trial and see if you like it :)

[NJRider]

They are overall very good quality, easily adjustable and easy to re-sell. There are many different models. The seat depth, thigh blocks, etc vary by model. If you are on a budget, you can find some good ones out there for $500-$700. They last forever, you cannot kill them. There is one on Tacktrader for $550 with adjustable knee rolls that looks nice.

[mcm7780]

I have one that was made in the 1980's. It is the International Grand Prix. I LOVE it! My saddle was made before huge knee rolls and tons of padding started appearing so there is only a small knee roll and minimal padding on the flaps and seat. Some of my friends said they thought it looked uncomfortable but it was actually very comfy. One of my friends that thought it looked hard as a rock changed her mind after sitting in it. (The others never rode in it.) I enjoyed riding in it and didn't feel like I had to fight for the correct position. The seat on mine isn't very deep but I don't really like very deep seats. For example, the Wintec Isabell seat is way too deep for my tastes. Kieffers are nice saddles and hold up well. I would look at them again if I were in need of a new or new-to-me saddle. :)

If you want a used one and know what sizes and model you like, there are usually quite a few on E-bay. Just make sure you know what seat size you need since Kieffers use different measurements. (I *think* a seat size 1 is a 17/17.5) Look under different spellings since the listings on E-bay sometimes use the spelling Keiffer, Kiefer, or Keifer in addition to Kieffer. ;)

[Maya01]

In my opinion and experience, the seat of Keifers are really weird and have a strange fit to the horse. They are much different than a Wintec, you may not like them.

Overall they are fine saddles - they do the job. The only thing that matters is that it fits you and the horse. :D

[private-tender]

I got my Kieffer Wien about 3 years ago, and had to have it reflocked because it fit my horse poorly, and it puts me in the correct position, and I've found that (my whole barn rides in the Wien) the shorter legged riders like them a lot better than the longer legged riders. I hope this helps :)

[TheBrightSide06]

I got my Kieffer Wien about 3 years ago, and had to have it reflocked because it fit my horse poorly, and it puts me in the correct position, and I've found that (my whole barn rides in the Wien) the shorter legged riders like them a lot better than the longer legged riders. I hope this helps :)

Oh, that may not work as I am 6ft tall...

[NJRider]

There are many different models and they really vary. I am fairly tall with long legs and liked the Ulla Salzberger model, the Champion (which is an older one) and the Lech Professional.

[roki143]

I'm 6ft tall also and ride in an *really* old school brown Dressage one. I really do like it. Not alot of blocks/padding but very comfortable. It does seem to have a smaller - width flap, but I don't mind it -- incentive for me to stay skinny!

[eqsiu]

I ride in a Keiffer Aachen dressage. I love it. It is essentially an Aachen all purpose with dressage flaps. Minimal, but I hate feeling stuck (especially since I'm not good enough to stay stuck on my own) and this saddle lets me know when I'm off. Adjustable trees too.

[FrittSkritt]

I'm tall w/long legs and have a Kieffer Wien... I really like it!

[SweetieG]

Love my Kieffer!!! I also transitioned from a Wintec (Pro Dressage).
I have the Kieffer Action dressage saddle...same as the Coblanc and Berlin and the Wall Street (most current model, I think). As far as your height goes, I think you just need to find the saddle model that suits you best. I think if you find one that fits you and your horse you won't be disappointed. From my experience (and friends') their saddles hold up very well and are soooo comfy! Just do your homework and preferably test ride one before you purchase. I'm also a fan of ebay. I had the opportunity to ride in a saddle like mine before hunting for it on ebay.
Good Luck!

[MTshowjumper]

I have an older Kieffer dressage saddle that I loved at the time, it was very comfortable and didn't get in my way. I thought it fit my horse fine, but it turns out it was actually very painfull for her. Ever since I shifted that horses focus to dressage last year she has been very off and on with back soundness. I had the chiropractor come out and she looked at all my saddles and the Kieffer was the problem (Makes sense since I switched her to primarily dressage she went almost exsclusivly in that saddle).

This is IMPORTANT if you have a Kieffer. Flip them over and look at the channel. It starts out fine, and then becomes very very narrow towards the back where it then connects together (Most saddles don't do this, they stay wide enough for the horses spine all the way back)). This was exactly where my mare was sore, I feel like such an idiot because I never connected that on my own. I got her a new saddle and all is fine now, just wanted to give everyone a heads up in case someone has a similiar problem.

[tangledweb]

... Flip them over and look at the channel. It starts out fine, and then becomes very very narrow towards the back where it then connects together (Most saddles don't do this, they stay wide enough for the horses spine all the way back)). ...

That is more a factor of age than brand. Most brands have made the channel wider over the last 20 years or so. I don't think modern Kieffers have a narrow channel at all. Your old one might have started out that way, but a saddle that has been used and restuffed many times can change shape a lot anyway.

It is definitely something to look at if you are considering a very old saddle.

[chism]

I love my Aachen so much I'm trying to find a used Kieffer Dressage Saddle. The Kieffers seem to fit my TB's beautifully. I've been talking to someone online about a Wein , Rein and an Udo Lange. I posted a ??? about them over on the dressage forum but didn't get any bites. I have no clue as to the differences. FWIW..I have a 31" inseam and the flap on the Aachen fits me just fine.

[scubed]

I've always liked the Kieffer. the Orphee TB saddle is great for TBs and I've had several. Rode in and loved my Lech for years