Kalahari Saddle – Built for Power, Designed for Comfort
Sizes Available: 16” seat
Style: Standard full leather
Approx. Weight: Standard 7.5 – 8kg
Purpose: Endurance, leisure and trail riding.
- Description
- Additional information
- Brand
- Gullet Size Guide for Horses
- Saddle Seat Size Guide
- Standard Horse Saddle Leather Colours
- Reviews (0)
Kalahari Saddle – Built for Power, Designed for Comfort
Perfect Saddle for Large and Draft Horses
The Kalahari Saddle is engineered for strength, comfort, and versatility – making it the ideal saddle for big horses and big riders. With a generous 4” (10cm) spine gullet and a 9” (22.9cm) front gullet, this saddle fits wide-backed and heavy-muscled horses with ease, including draft breeds and powerfully built working horses.
Exceptional Fit & Functionality
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Short, straight bars with open shoulder clearance prevent pressure points and promote natural movement.
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The high swell design accommodates both high-withered and low-withered horses, making it incredibly versatile.
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Deep, secure seat with a 12” wide cantle positions the rider in perfect balance for long hours in the saddle.
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Supports both balanced seat and light seat riding – perfect for trail, work, or endurance.
Customizable Comfort with Velcro Pad System
This saddle features velcro-backed skirts designed to hold three sets of neoprene pads:
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2 x 10mm
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2 x 14mm
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2 x 18mm
These pads can be adjusted, layered, or removed to create a fully customized fit for each horse – reducing the need for extra saddle pads and improving horse comfort and performance.
Tailored to Your Riding Needs
Choose your preferred setup:
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Girth: Wool or Neoprene
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Fenders: Full Leather, Reduced Weight, or 25mm Stirrup Straps
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Stirrup Covers: Leather Sleeves or Wool Socks
Whether you’re riding across the Namibian bush, trekking through trails, or working long days on horseback, the Kalahari Saddle gives you unmatched rider security, horse contact, and all-day comfort.
🔑 Key Features:
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Perfect for wide horses, draft breeds, and working horses
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Deep seat with excellent support for long rides
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Adjustable neoprene padding system
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Lightweight, customizable options
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High shoulder and wither clearance
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Built for comfort, balance, and contact
| Weight | 15 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 45 × 45 × 45 cm |
Brand
Dusty Hooves Tack and Saddles
Franco C saddlery
Gullet Size Guide for Horses
Gullet Size Guide for Horses
| tart=”441″ data-end=”456″>Gullet Size | Measurement (inches) | Measurement (cm) | data-start=”507″ data-end=”519″ data-col-size=”md”>Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow | 5” – 5.5” | 12.7cm – 14cm | Fine-boned horses with high, narrow withers (e.g. Thoroughbreds, Arabians) |
| Medium | 6” | 15.2cm | Average horses with moderate withers and shoulders (e.g. Warmbloods, Quarter Horses) |
| Wide | 6.5” | 16.5cm | Broad horses with wider shoulders and low to medium withers (e.g. stock horses, cobs) |
| Extra Wide (XW) | 7” – 7.5” | 17.8cm – 19cm | Very broad horses, often with flat or mutton withers (e.g. draft crosses, heavy Warmbloods) |
| start=”1288″ data-end=”1310″ data-col-size=”sm”>Draft / XX-Wide | 8”+ | 20cm+ | Draft breeds and extra wide-bodied horses (e.g. Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons) |
🐎 What the Different Gullet Sizes Are For
- =”1501″ data-end=”2295″>
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Narrow Gullet (5”–5.5”)
For horses with high, narrow withers and slim shoulders. Prevents pinching at the withers and ensures clearance without instability. -
Medium Gullet (6”)
The most common size for average-built horses with balanced proportions. Provides even contact and avoids pressure points. -
nd=”1846″>Wide Gullet (6.5”)
Ideal for wider horses with broader shoulders and lower withers. Ensures freedom of movement in the shoulder and prevents tightness. -
Extra Wide (7”–7.5”)
Suits very broad horses or those with flat, mutton withers. Offers extra shoulder room and distributes weight evenly across the back.</li>
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Draft / XX-Wide (8”+)
Specifically designed for heavy breeds. Provides a stable fit for large horses with wide backs and flat withers.
📌 Quick Tips: How to Check Saddle Gullet Fit
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You should be able to fit 2–3 fingers between the saddle pommel and the horse’s withers when the rider is seated.
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Check that the saddle doesn’t pinch the shoulders when the horse moves.
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Look for even sweat patterns under the saddle after a ride.
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The saddle should sit level on the horse’s back, not tip forward or back.
Saddle Seat Size Guide
Saddle Seat Size Guide
🔸 English / Endurance / Trail Saddles
| Seat Size (inches) | Fits Rider Clothing Size</th> | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 15” | Small Adults or Teens | Petite adults, small builds |
| 16” | Medium Adults (Ladies size 8–12 / Men’s 28–32) | Average riders |
| 17” | Medium to Large Adults (Ladies size 12–16 / Men’s 32–36) | Common size for most adult riders |
| 18” | Larger Adults (Ladies 16+ / Men’s 36+) | Taller or broader riders needing more room |
| 19”+ | Extra Large Adults / Heavy builds | Extra security and comfort for larger frames |
📝 In Endurance and Trail saddles, a 16” seat is typically equivalent to a 15” Western saddle seat in feel.
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🔸 Western Saddles
“1820”>
| Seat Size (inches) | Fits Rider Clothing Size</s |
|---|
trong>Best Fornd=”1364″ data-col-size=”sm”>13”YouthChildren”1408″ data-end=”1494″>14”Small to Petite Adultsd=”1494″>Shorter or smaller builds15”Average Adults (Most Men / Ladies size 8–12)The most common Western saddle size
16”Larger Adults (Men’s 34+ / Ladies 14+)Riders preferring a roomier seat17”+Extra Large or Tall RidersHeavy builds or those who prefer a more open seat
📝 Western saddle seats typically feel one size bigger than an English seat. For example, a 16” Western seat is like a 17” English seat.
📌 How to Choose the Right Seat Size
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When seated, you should have about 3–4 fingers of space behind you at the cantle.
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Your knees should comfortably rest at the saddle’s knee rolls or fenders without overreaching.
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The seat should allow you to maintain a balanced, centered position without feeling cramped or sliding around.
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In endurance riding, a slightly roomier seat is often preferred for comfort during long rides.
✅ Quick Conversion: English to Western Seat Size
| English Size | Western Size Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 16” | >15” |
| 17” | 16” |
| 18” | 17” |
Standard Horse Saddle Leather Colours
🎨 Standard Horse Saddle Leather Colours at Dusty Hooves
We offer our saddles in a carefully selected range of durable, practical, and classic colours, ideal for both professional and recreational riders in Namibia and South Africa.
| d=”541″>Colour Name | Description | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Deep, solid black with a formal, timeless appearance. Perfect for show, dressage, and riders who prefer a bold, classic look. | Dressage, show, endurance, and Western saddles |
| Brown | A rich, traditional riding brown. Durable and versatile, it hides marks well from bushveld or trail use and ages beautifully with time. | Stock, endurance, trail, and work saddles |
| Tan | Light, warm golden brown. This colour matures to a lovely caramel tone over time and is popular for its clean, natural look. | Trail, endurance, and leisure saddles |
📌 Notes for Riders
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Black is ideal for formal competition or for those who prefer a sleek, professional saddle that pairs well with modern tack and bridles.
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Brown remains the most practical option for everyday riding, especially in trail and endurance riding conditions where dust and scuffs are part of the journey.
- ta-end=”1696″>
start=”1567″ data-end=”1574″>Tan is perfect for riders wanting a lighter, classic saddle colour that gains natural character and charm the more it’s used.
data-end=”1864″>All Dusty Hooves Tack and Saddles leather colours are chosen for their durability, ease of care, and ability to withstand Southern African riding conditions.
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