I have a dressage saddle, and I REALLY like it for trails. It’s so comfy. My horse is happy. It’s wonderful. But I’m wondering if it’s possible to add buckles and such to it. I’d really like to have the choice to add saddle breeching or snaps for extra saddle bags or other things to it. Is there a way to do that? Or am I just looking to destroy my saddle? I’m guessing a professional would be the way to go…
What about the Cashel “tie one on” or something similar? It will let you add straps without touching the saddle.
My wife sent her Stubben VSD-DL back to Stubben and they put 10 more d-rings on it.
Looking at it I’d guess that any competant saddler could add more d-rings in about any pattern you might like. All it takes is money!!! 
G.
I added some small footmen’s loops to the back of mine. Used a small drill bit for the holes. It was easy. I was nervous but just went for it and it worked out just fine.
I wouldn’t put them on a saddle that I was showing in - although now that I think of it - if you used black metal spray paint and painted the loops before you put them on they wouldn’t show up.
I got one of these for my hubby, since he also trail rides in an english saddle.
http://www.snugpax.com/english.htm
GreyDes – Thanks for posting that link! I’ve never seen that before…
I also have packs and equipment, like a pommel waterbottle, from Sportack that can be added to a saddle without the use of D-rings.
My saddle pad has pockets and 2 d rings in the back. I would think it would be easy to add d rings to a saddle pad.
Here’s the simplest way to use a crupper or britching…http://www.bitofbritain.com/Pony_Crupper_p/861335.htm
The aluminum “T” shaped peice goes between the panels and the seat of the saddle and the crupper or top of the britching attaches to it. Very simple, and it comes right off. They also make these of Betathane.
You attach the britching buckles to this and the side attachments to your girth. Very simple and no changes to your saddle.
I have been riding distance and trail for the last 14 years in a AP or dressage saddle. Won;t catch my candy arse in a western saddle. I have a cantle bag and a pommel bag that I have owned for at least that long. They are still going strong. Got them from Sportack way back when and never had a problem. They are similar in nature to the snug pack you see in the links above. They have a built in lip that fit over the back of the saddle and the bag really does not ride on the horse at all. Did not drill my 4 figure saddles, no way. The cangle bag has long velcro straps, and the pommell has a combination of velcro and plastic pull tight buckles. They don;t slip, stap put, carry 4 bottles of water if you want,
You can get little extra D rings that slid onto the leather bars. I used them for my breast collar and also my sponge tie.
I have a stowaway pommel pack which is just great!!!
http://www.longridersgear.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=239
I had to chuckle at the comment about not daring to drill into a 4 figure saddle. I assure you I drilled into my 1-year old, 4-figure saddle 3 years ago and it hasn’t caused any problems. Mind you I did it thinking I might be making a huge mistake and a few friends were freaked when I said I did it but it wasn’t a big deal. One of them even had her husband add the footmen’s loops to her saddle. Works great. I like being able to tie my coats behind the cantle and not have to stuff it into a bag. The winter coat doesn’t really fit into any of my smaller packs and I don’t always like to bring my bigger packs on short day trips. Desert temperature changes from 6 in the morning to noon sometimes creates the need for a winter coat. It was easy - just start w/a small drill bit and don’t use the full lenght of the bit -go no deeper than the screw that you use. I think I used 1/2 screws though it may have been 3/4 inch.
[QUOTE=Bells;4928589]
I had to chuckle at the comment about not daring to drill into a 4 figure saddle. I assure you I drilled into my 1-year old, 4-figure saddle 3 years ago and it hasn’t caused any problems. Mind you I did it thinking I might be making a huge mistake. It was easy - just start w/a small drill bit and don’t use the full lenght of the bit -go no deeper than the screw that you use. I think I used 1/2 screws though it may have been 3/4 inch.[/QUOTE]
That would be me!!!:lol: I use those add on D rings that have a loop of braid that slide on over the stirrup leather bar. Then put hay string or velcro or buckle straps to hold ponchos or the like on the front of the horse at the pommel of the saddle.
I just could not bring myself to drill into my saddle. Not that I will ever sell these saddles for what I paid for them, just the idea makes me cringe.
We have some of the same problem with ranges of temp of 30 or 40 degrees in the early winter or late spring. Wake up and out the door with frost, yet it will be 65 or more when we come in. Layers, my dear, layers!! Sure you are familiar with them.
Layers also don’t fit in the smaller packs. They need to be tied on somewhere…I have to also carry quite a bit of water. 4-5 hours in the desert can leave one pretty thirsty. So water bottles are clipped in the front, coat or layers tied to the back and usually a sandwich & horse treats in my saddle pad pockets as well as my trusty SPOT.
I also do a lot of multi-night pack trips. They normally run no more than 4 nights but the longest was 10 nights which required a LOT of stuff on my horse as my pack horse can only carry so much. I needed the extra loops to secure my larger packs. I really didn’t want to use a western saddle for various reasons.
I cringed as I put the 1st drill hole in and then went for it. Not hard and worked like a charm.
[QUOTE=GreyDes;4922479]
What about the Cashel “tie one on” or something similar? It will let you add straps without touching the saddle.
I used one of these for years, until I got my endurance saddle this winter. It works great - no saddle drilling necessary.
The Army Phillips Cavalry saddle accourterments included a cantle shelf (sometimes called a cantle roll) that mounted behind the saddle and was designed to keep the blanket roll from resting on the horse’s back.
You can see an example (in blueprint form) at http://hvac.livejournal.com/329856.html, no. 1-1-99.
I carry a coat on the pommel and wrap it in a poncho if I think I’ll need one while out. I have a Stubben Scout, not a Phillips, but it works pretty well. I’m going to make a cantle roll and have the hardware attached by a local saddle repaiman. I’m not going to DIY on an expensive saddle. 
A really great place to get information on what to carry and how to carry it is the Long Riders Guild at http://www.thelongridersguild.com/LRG.htm
G.
