FAQ's
- Does the saddle need to be set in a certain position for a particular horse, and then set again for another horse?
- What is the advantage of this saddle over a treed saddle or treeless saddle? How does it compare to flex-panel saddles?
- Is there a warranty on the mechanism? I'm wondering if it is something that might malfunction
- What are the details of this mechanism?
- How does it move with my horse without it becoming too wide? In other words, how does it stay in place to fit a certain horse, yet also move with the horse's movement?
- If the saddle is over my horse's shoulders, won't that be uncomfortable, even though it does move with his movement?
- Could you explain how this special pad works? Could I see a photo of this pad? Demo video on how to use the pad with this saddle?
- How long has this saddle been tested? I'm concerned that there may be problems with the early models.
- What seat sizes does it come in?
- Does it have a narrow twist?
- Can I use a long girth with the dressage model?
- Is this saddle comfortable for the rider? If so, why?
- Does the saddle have any unique advantages for the rider?
- Does it have movable knee/thigh blocks?
- Is the leather soft?
- How much does this saddle weigh?
- Are there any types of horses that can not use this saddle?
- Is there an option for special padding in the seat?
- I understand that this saddle works great for short backed horses. Is there any benefit for a long backed horse?
- Does this butterfly mechanism make and noise? Is it sturdy? Could it become bent and not work properly?
- How long will this saddle last? Can parts be replaced if needed?
- Does this saddle have a tree? Does it disburse weight evenly?
- Would this saddle work for a heavier rider?
- Exclusive 30 day test ride
Does the saddle need to be set in a certain position for a particular horse, and then set again for another horse?
No, the saddle automatically adjusts to each horse, each time you tighten the girth straps. The left and right sides automatically adjust separately to match your horses gullet width and angles. You can put it on a wide draft horse, go right to a narrow Thoroughbred, and then to a large pony or Saddlebred. The saddle will fit each of them correctly.
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What is the advantage of this saddle over a treed saddle or treeless saddle? How does it compare to flex-panel saddles?
The saddle has many advantages over both a normal treed saddle and over a treeless saddle and over a regular flex tree saddle The Pegasus® Butterfly does all 3 tasks of the other type of saddles. A: Like a normal treed saddle, the rider’s weight is distributed over the entire saddle contact area. B: Like a treeless saddle, the Butterfly saddle adjusts to fit the width and angles of the horse’s back. C: Like a flex-tree saddle the saddle flexes longitudinally parallel to the horses spine.
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Is there a warranty on the mechanism? I'm wondering if it is something that might malfunction
The mechanism carries a 5 year warranty directly from Pegasus® Butterfly saddles USA and is valid only when the saddle is purchased from us or from one of our authorized dealers or agents. NOTE: Butterfly Saddles purchased in or from Europe, carry only a 2 year warranty.
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What are the details of this mechanism?
The mechanism is very simple and elegantly designed. It’s basically two simple stainless steel hinges as you would see on the door of a small safe. Made in high quality stainless steel, the simple elegant design is as dependable as the hinges on quality door.
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How does it move with my horse without it becoming too wide? In other words, how does it stay in place to fit a certain horse, yet also move with the horse's movement?
[This is the answer to the question.]
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If the saddle is over my horse's shoulders, won't that be uncomfortable, even though it does move with his movement?
It's still pressure on his shoulders.This question is based on a fallacy. The Butterfly saddle fits around either side of the shoulder or trapezius muscle, and along the front portion of the latisimus dorsi. This puts the rider’s weight right over the horse’s center of gravity in the most natural spot (like riding bareback).
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Could you explain how this special pad works? Could I see a photo of this pad? Demo video on how to use the pad with this saddle?
The special pad works by having pockets on either side that let you add or subtract inserts to adjust the fit for the horses vertical height needs. By adding or removing inserts you can adjust for variance in the horse’s vertical height on either side of the spine. Note: We have to supply photos of the pad and several variations and we have to make a video showing how this is used.
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How long has this saddle been tested? I'm concerned that there may be problems with the early models.
The Pegasus® Butterfly saddle has been in design for about 6 years and tested for about 3 years and is currently used by 6 of Germany’s stop riders. Like Mercedes and BMW cars, Pegasus® Butterfly saddles have gone through many years of careful German engineering.
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What seat sizes does it come in?
Pegasus® Butterfly saddles come in 17 and 18 inch seats, and a 19 inch seat will be available in the middle of 2014
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Does it have a narrow twist?
The three different seats currently have 3 different twists. Quite narrow on the flat seat tree, narrow on the medium seat tree and medium-narrow on the deeper seat tree. A very narrow deep seat tree will be offered in the middle of 2014.
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Can I use a long girth with the dressage model?
The standard deep seat dressage saddle uses a short girth, and the standard medium deep seat dressage saddle uses a long girth. Either model can be ordered with the other style of girth straps by request.
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Is this saddle comfortable for the rider? If so, why?
The saddles are very comfortable for the rider for several reasons: First, there is much less bulk under the rider’s legs. So even the deep seat dressage gives you feel like a close contact. Second, the seat is like a hammock with soft padding added. So like a hammock it molds directly to your seat bones. In addition there's a thin layer of memory foam on top of the hammock type effect.
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Does the saddle have any unique advantages for the rider?
While we have not yet done formal testing, riders have told us it is much easier to use their core muscles when riding in Pegasus Butterfly saddles. As one FEI rider said, I can probably skip sit-ups at the gym as I can feel I am using my core much more when riding in a Pegasus® Butterfly saddle
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Does it have movable knee/thigh blocks?
All Pegasus® Butterfly saddles come with a variety of large and small Velcro mounted knee blocks and thigh rolls.
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Is the leather soft?
The fine European leather is soft and has a high grip factor. It has the perfect combination of suppleness and strength.
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How much does this saddle weigh?
The Butterfly saddle weighs slightly less than the same size English saddle. It weighs approximately 11 to 14 pounds depending on the model and the stirrups used.
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Are there any types of horses that can not use this saddle?
These saddles fit virtually every size and shape horse, pony, donkey, or mule. Remember, the saddle pad adjusts for horses with extraordinary high withers or for horses with a major drop in their back.
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Is there an option for special padding in the seat?
We can do any custom seat padding a rider would want, right here in our USA service center.
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I understand that this saddle works great for short backed horses. Is there any benefit for a long backed horse?
Horses with long backs can tend to have weak backs. The Pegasus® Butterfly saddle keeps the rider forward, in the natural spot where a rider would ride bareback. So, these saddles reduce the stress on long or weak backs.
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Does this butterfly mechanism make and noise? Is it sturdy? Could it become bent and not work properly?
The butterfly mechanisms are quiet. They make no sound at all. They are very sturdy. There is nothing to bend and really nothing to break. Modern technology and design makes these saddles simple to use and very rugged.
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How long will this saddle last? Can parts be replaced if needed?
Like any saddle how long it will last is directly related to care, all parts are stocked here in the USA. Any parts broken or damaged (for example if a horse goes over backwards on the saddle or a car drives over it) can be replaced right here in the USA.
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Does this saddle have a tree? Does it disburse weight evenly?
Yes, the saddle has a tree, and yes, the saddle disburses the rider’s weight evenly. Actually, it disburses weight far more evenly than a saddle with a regular tree. As the hinges up front adjust for the horses shape, the tree remains straight and pressure is kept even. A regular treed saddle ends up twisting as the horse moves, causing weight to shift. The Butterfly saddle keeps a continual even disbursement of the rider’s weight as the horse moves.
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Would this saddle work for a heavier rider?
Yes, the saddle works great for a heavier rider. It is not like a treeless saddle which collapses in the middle. Pegasus® Butterfly saddles are normal treed saddles, but fit every horse, because of the two hinges on the front of either side. All of our saddles, both Pegasus® Butterfly saddles and all the other approximately 90 brands we sell (Kieffer, Prestige, Barnsby, Frank Baines, PJ, Pegasus®, Pariani, Anky, PDS, Kniedersuss to name a few), come with a 30 day exchange.
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Exclusive 30 day test ride
While we don't do refunds we offer a 30 day exchange. If the weather is bad, call us. We'll always give you an additional 60 days if needed. We want you to really spend hours in your saddle to really make sure that you love it. We also pay the freight both ways on exchanges. So, no matter how many saddles you try, you don't pay any additional shipping charges..