| Stubben saddles are legendary for their tree design. | | | | tree is tensioned to establish the depth of the seat, and |
| The saddles are constructed in Stans, Switzerland, and | | | | to work counter to the tree to provide elasticity. The |
| construction of each saddle is comprised of two | | | | webbing near the pommel is left long so that the billets |
| roughly parallel processes: the leather working and the | | | | can be attached. |
| creation of the tree. When both processes are | | | | After the webbing, the cantle plate is attached by |
| finished, the leather, tree, and other necessary | | | | hand. Once this is done, the tree can be covered with |
| materials are combined to make a saddle that is iconic | | | | the seating material. Stubben uses composite seating |
| in its quality. | | | | material rather than foam for two reasons: foam |
| Each Stubben spring tree is made to specification to fit | | | | breaks down over time, and it deadens sound, |
| rider and horse perfectly. Though the process is | | | | hindering the rider's ability to communicate with the |
| exacting and expensive, the result is worth it: a | | | | horse. |
| comfortable saddle for both rider and horse that | | | | Once the seat and skirts are attached to the tree, |
| provides superior support for the rider. The tree is | | | | excess leather is trimmed away, and the first two |
| fitted with a steel front arch to protect the withers | | | | billets on each side are stitched to the webbing that |
| from injury and keep the saddle positioned correctly | | | | was left long for this purpose. After the billets, the flaps |
| behind the horse's shoulder. | | | | are attached. Flaps, billets, and other parts of Stubben |
| The tree's webbing absorbs the weight of the rider, | | | | saddles are stamped and numbered, and bear the |
| while steel springs counteract the motion of the | | | | name of the craftsman and location where the saddle |
| pommel and the cantle. The webbing on the Stubben | | | | was produced. |