Ghost saddles UK - FAQ
Will a Ghost saddle fit every horse?
No, there is NO saddle that will fit every horse.
Even with the versatile design and adjustability which allows a Ghost saddle to be properly fitted to almost any conformation, there is no "one for all".
If a Ghost saddle works depends on horse AND rider.
Some horses' movement and/or conformation may be better suited to another style saddle or a treed saddle. And some riders want/need more support than a Ghost saddle provides.
Can I use my Ghost saddle on several horses?
Yes, in many cases it is possible for a GHOST saddle to be used on several horses. However, since small adjustments are usually made to get a custom fit for each individual horse, you may need to use different pads or make certain small adjustments when switching between horses.
Does a Ghost saddle provide spinal clearance?
Yes! The GHOST has several design features to maintain wither and spine clearance.
Do I need a special pad for my Ghost saddle?
Unlike most other treeless saddles that rely on a thick, shock-absorbing pad to create spine-clearance and cushioning, the design of the panels on the underside of the saddle-base allow you to use a regular English-style pad with the GHOST, as long as it has foam inserts, and is not just a thin fabric pad.
GHOST makes some very nice pads that are shaped specifically to your GHOST saddle. They have a pocket that allows you to ride with the padding of your choice inserted into the pad.
Do I need to use special stirrup leathers and stirrups?
Ghost saddles have a closed stirrup bar and should therefore only used with safety stirrups like peacocks or caged stirrups.
To avoid pressure points under the stirrup bar Ghost recommend to use leathers without a buckle at the top. You can choose between Ghost leathers like T-bars or Conways, Fenders or use traditional leathers turned around with the buckle at the bottom.
Will the GHOST distribute my weight effectively?
Yes, Ghost saddles do a very good job of distributing your weight!
To ensure this the base is reinforced to provide a weight-distributing structure that still is flexible. The rigging effectively distributes the forces from girths and stirrups across the entire base. The panels contain several layers of material. One of those layers is fairly rigid, and helps further distribute the rider's weight along the entire length of the panels.
Keep in mind that some endurance riders do up to 100 miles in a Ghost in one race - with fabulous backs of their horses!
Is there a weight limit for Ghost saddles?
There are no absolute limits for the rider weight in a Ghost saddle. It depends on your horse, riding skills, how balanced you ride and many other factors.
For demanding terrain and long hours in the saddle (endurance-riding), we as a rule-of-thumb recommend a max rider weight of about 80 kg.
For lighter riding and a balanced rider, the limit usually is around 90 kg.
For heavier riders, we can choose the right panels and optimize the pad insert material to still be successful.
Don't treeless saddles slip and slide on the horse?
No, not in general. Like with every saddle that doesn't pinch the withers there will be more movement the rounder the horse is.
But as a result of the design of the structural base used in the GHOST saddle, the saddle is typically very stable side-to-side as well as front-to-back on most horses.
We recommend riding with a breast-collar for added security, especially on steep hills. Some horses with low withers and small shoulders can have issues with slipping forward down steep hills, but this is rare.
Be careful with a new Ghost saddle: Until it completely settles it is more prone to slide and give into the girth straps so that your girth might be loose after a few minutes of riding. Please check your girth regularly and give your Ghost saddle time to settle!
Does the embroidery on the seat have advantages?
Yes. To some it might just be a matter of "aesthetics" but the seat embroidery also has practical advantages.
Ghost seats are made with a top layer of soft foam to keep you bottom comfortable. But strong leather on soft foam can cause wrinkles. You can't feel them but you can see them.
If you want to avoid wrinkles please let us know. We can order your saddle with a harder seat or with embroidery to avoid these wrinkles showing up.
Which panels are available and what's the difference?
Ghost currently provides two kind of panels: Type 3 and type 4.
Type 3 can be opened for example to use shims to optimize the fitting.
Type 4 is harder and therefore the best choice when you need to distribute more weight.
Most horses do very well with type 3 panels.