Does anyone ride in a dressage saddle to improve hunter's flatwork?

[Marcella]

Does anyone ride in a dressage saddle to improve their hunter’s flatwork?

I think my 6 yr old OTTB has impeccable flatwork at this time considering his track time, age, and other factors (my only lessons are those I trailer to). We can do a good training level test, and all three gaits reasonably well and steady.

With that said, in order to introduce better balance, more of an up and under frame, good extensions in the gaits (adjustability), and flying lead changes, I think dressage would be helpful in introducing and practicing this. I take dressage lessons on him currently, but it is always in my jumping saddle.

Should I be able to do this 1st/2nd level dressage work in a jumping saddle, or do you think I would be better served in a dressage saddle?

Granted, this is for training the horse. I’ve ridden other horses in a jumping saddle (primarily jumpers) and I never had a problem with asking for more advanced movements. With the green horse, I just can’t quite put my leg on him enough or sit deep enough to get him in the frame I want in my jumping saddle. I also have a tough time and feel unbalanced when asking for our lateral work. I do have my stirrups lengthened when I do flatwork vs. jumping.

Thoughts or advice? I would need to invest in a good used dressage saddle if I went this way. I haven’t asked the dressage trainer, but I would assume she would rather have me in the dressage saddle anyways. She’s trying to get me to convert.

[alliekat]

We start all of our young horses in a dressage saddle. Now granted you can accomplish what you are looking to do in your CC saddle but I find the deeper seat of a dressage saddle a better option for myself. I want to feel “plugged in” if that makes sense. Maybe a pair of full seat breeches if you don’t want purchase a dressage saddle would help.
Good luck.

[osgoka01]

Yup!
The dressage saddle (and lessons) have really helped my young horses and me tremendously. I’m with AllieKat in that you feel “plugged in”/tighter.
Year 1: https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.osgood#!/photo.php?fbid=623374275984&set=a.548080769774.2068121.19301855&type=3&theater
Year 2: https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.osgood#!/photo.php?fbid=733957700914&set=a.548080769774.2068121.19301855&type=3&theater
Edited to Add: I wasn’t one of those hunter cross overs that wanted a shallow seat, small knee roll Dressage saddle either. I like a big old knee block to help hold my thigh down on the bigger movers.

[meupatdoes]

Yes.

I used to do hunters with dressage on the side and now do dressage with hunters on the side.

It is amazing the better hunter rides I am getting out of my horse on the odd occasion I dust off the jump saddle, with essentially no practice. If I jump the horse for the first time in six months just for kicks he goes gangbusters and jumps outrageous, I don’t even get it.

[RugBug]

I don’t, but only because I feel like a total beginner in a dressage saddle. I HATE them. There is so much to change in me that I wouldn’t be focusing on the horse. I’d rather ride without stirrups in a CC saddle then ride in a dressage saddle.

[pattnic]

I think more important than type of saddle is fit and balance. When I had a less expensive dressage saddle, I was still able to produce better flatwork in my jumping saddle, as the fit and balance was better.

However, when I rode in a very nice, very well balanced, and very well-fitting dressage saddle, I was able to be more effective in that (the purpose-built saddle) than in my same jumping saddle.

So I wouldn’t run out and buy just any old dressage saddle to be able to ride in a dressage saddle, as that won’t actually help. Put as much thought and effort into finding a good dressage saddle as I’m sure you did for your jumping saddle, and it can make a big (positive) difference.

[Outfoxed]

[QUOTE=meupatdoes;7142631]
It is amazing the better hunter rides I am getting out of my horse on the odd occasion I dust off the jump saddle, with essentially no practice. If I jump the horse for the first time in six months just for kicks he goes gangbusters and jumps outrageous, I don’t even get it.[/QUOTE]
If one stops and thinks about how much of the hunter (or jumper, or eq) round is actually ridden on the ground between the fences, versus amount of time spent in the air…suddenly it makes a whole lot of sense to spend that majority of time on the flatwork, and less time freaking out about how often you jump and how high!

When I rode for someone else, I did most the flat schooling in their dressage saddles. It took some getting used to, but I thought it was worth it. I don’t have a dressage saddle of my own, but I still flat a good 3-4 holes lower on the stirrup leathers than I jump.

[alliekat]

[QUOTE=Outfoxed;7142980]
If one stops and thinks about how much of the hunter (or jumper, or eq) round is actually ridden on the ground between the fences, versus amount of time spent in the air…suddenly it makes a whole lot of sense to spend that majority of time on the flatwork, and less time freaking out about how often you jump and how high! [/QUOTE]

This^^^
I told my daughter that one day I was going to write a book called “Flatting to the Fence”. She would hate when she had to have a “dressage lesson”, but in the end she was able to maneuver her green horses and ponies in an effective way that did not rely on only using her hands. You are able to make correction that are less noticeable with a good dressage foundation. Although the look she gave me when I said get your dressage saddle, could kill. LOL Now she has learned to appreciate it

[EmJ628]

I think it’s a degree of personal preference and as previous posters mentioned, how comfortable you are in a dressage saddle. I feel very comfortable producing 1st level movements in my CC saddle, but I feel like a fish out of water in a dressage saddle. I hate how my leg feels in it, the deep seat, everything. So I end up feeling like I am fighting the saddle more than concentrating on the ride. Granted if I spent as much time finding a dressage saddle as I did picking my CC saddle I would probably find one that is way better for me. But, I am not willing to invest the same $$ in a saddle I am going to use for every once in a while.

ETA: if you already have a dressage saddle you know and love, Go for it!

[DARQHORSE]

I’ll chime in as a rider who converted from dressage to jumpers. I school all my horses in my jump saddle (CWD 2G), and I much prefer it to riding in a dressage for a few reasons: firstly, I show over fences and I want to have the same feel and balance when schooling as I do when showing. Secondly, I really believe in consistency when riding, and lastly, I absolutely HATE the way most modern dressage saddle “lock” me into a single position, too much blocks, padding and too deep a seat. I find I can get the most of out my horses in my jump saddle (granted it has a deeper seat than average). I want to be able to school the same way that I will show, and achieve the same results. For me, using one saddle helps with this. I’m a huge stickler for correct position, correct riding and proper saddle fit, all of which I achieve in my current saddle. I like to be independent, light and balanced in the saddle, not jammed into a single position which is how I feel when I ride in a dressage saddle. I’ve schooled all the GP dressage movements (piaffe, half pass, canter pirouettes, tempis etc) and still feel that the best choice for me is my CWD, regardless of what I’m schooling.

[Peggy]

I’m with RugBug on this one. I never felt as comfortable, with the horse, and secure in a dressage saddle as I did in a jumping saddle. And I showed through 4th level and schooled well into FEI–in a dressage saddle, of course. So it’s not like I didn’t give it a try. Other than piaffe and passage, and one-tempis, I’ve ridden all the dressage movements in a jumping saddle.

[Jaideux]

Well… I think more importantly than what the saddle is, is the kind of riding you’re doing in it (and how correct that riding is) I do proper and correct baby intro level dressage with my horse in (our) well-fitting hunt seat saddle. Doesn’t seem to be holding us back. I mean, I’m using it to cross-train, and I will be expecting him to do things like have balance, rhythm, responsiveness, collection, flexibility, etc, while we’re doing hunter things so… better figure it out in this saddle, eh?

[annaelizabeth]

I use both, it just depends. I do try to use my dressage saddle fairly regularly just because I I ride more effective and correct and I also just think it is good to get out of the same saddle you ride in every day. Helps to show any flaws

[fordtraktor]

I let my stirrups out two holes on my CC saddle for dressage work usually. However, when the TB is feeling up, it is cold and there’s a fierce wind out, I often stick my old Wintec Pro suedey-material dressage saddle on him for its extreme stickability. It might be possible to fall off one, but I think you’d have to try.

If the balance on your jumping saddle is appropriate I don’t see any major benefits to using a dressage saddle for balance. However, some CC saddles seem to encourage people to lean forward/perch – if that’s your saddle, it is going to limit how much your horse is going to be able to use his shoulder on the flat. I like to sit more than is fashionable in the hunter ring on all my horses. But I have jumpers, so it doesn’t matter as long as it works.

[Marcella]

Thanks everyone - before I actually purchase a dressage saddle, I’m going try out several used in my barn’s lesson program. The BM said I could ride in them whenever, so I might see how far that gets us. I really just need to use it to get him/us over this hump in our training. I’d rather not own another piece of tack, especially if I only plan to use it temporarily.

[doublesstable]

[QUOTE=Marcella;7142542]

Granted, this is for training the horse. I’ve ridden other horses in a jumping saddle (primarily jumpers) and I never had a problem with asking for more advanced movements. With the green horse, I just can’t quite put my leg on him enough or sit deep enough to get him in the frame I want in my jumping saddle. I also have a tough time and feel unbalanced when asking for our lateral work. I do have my stirrups lengthened when I do flatwork vs. jumping.[/QUOTE]

Maybe I am not reading this right but if you cannot get your leg on or sit deep enough could it be because the saddle doesn’t fit you or your green horse correctly?

Over the years I have learned the right saddle and the right fit are very very important to being effective.

Those that say they would rather ride bare back - me too because the fit is perfect

Years ago I took two years of Dressage lessons to improve my horse and my flat work. I bought a used Kieffer saddle. It was okay, then one day I rode in my Dressage trainers Albion and it was FANTASTIC… so I bought one. I do use it on occasion but most of the time I want to feel I can go into a two point comfortably which is a bit awkward in the Dressage saddle. I did a lovely shoulder in today in my jumping saddle

[justalittle]

Fit is definitely important (for you & the horse)! I remember my sis saying that she felt better riding w/out stirrups with this particular horse & saddle, mainly because the saddle she was riding in put her in the cantle, also putting her leg too far forward.

I occasionally have ridden my sister’s pony in her dressage saddle (not one mentioned above), it feels weird as I usually ride in either jump or ap/event but it isn’t uncomfortable and I’m sure after a week or two of consistently using it, it would feel totally natural. It fits pony well and definitely serves its purpose (although maybe I was a tad happy that her dressage bridle broke – back to the event saddle!! :lol: )

I don’t think that it matters whether in a dressage saddle or jump saddle, flat work & dressage basics really will benefit you & the horse.

Hope this helps!

[pryme_thyme]

I know this is resurrecting an old post but I am curious if this is done more these days?

I see many riders with both types of saddles, mind you I ride with a lot of eventers

I never ever would be caught dead in a dressage saddle 9 years ago when this thread started despite 90% of my riding being flatting but now with my nicely fitting deep seated dressage saddle and a lot of young horses, I almost hate going back to a close contact.

I find I am much more effective with my influence on the horse in a dressage saddle versus the close contact. Close contact I feel like I’m … just out of the way of the horse so it can do its job.

[Demerara_Stables]

I do a lot of dressage with my jumpers (honestly, I do way more dressage than I do jumping), and I prefer my jumping saddle. As other people said 9(!) years ago, a dressage saddle locks me into position too much.

That said, I probably prefer my jumping saddle because it’s a County monoflap. It’s extremely close contact, with no knee rolls under my knee so my leg is ON. I don’t know that I could find a dressage saddle that let’s me sit as close to the horse and be as effective as my county does.

[no.stirrups]

Just for another perspective, if you talk to a frank/blunt saddle maker they will tell you that jump saddles are not designed for everyday riding. They are designed to jump your course but they don’t distribute weight as well as other saddles. Therefore you should be riding in a different saddle most of the time! That doesn’t necessarily mean a dressage saddle, but a good GP/AP saddle may be worth a look.