I have an honest question: To block or not to block?
The saddle I recently purchased has removable blocks. The fitter said that the blocks should go. The trainer says “you need them”.
I was taught earlier that you will never learn to ride correctly if you start out using blocks to “hold you in position”.
What has been your experience?
FWIW this saddle is for an OTTB baby (unraced) in training.
I think the answer lies in: how big are the blocks and how comfortable are you? Yes, blocks can be a seatbelt for riders who need to feel more secure and can use them to balance, but the flip side is that they can also be a tool to encourage correct equitation and keep you balanced if your young OTTB decides to bail on something.
Why does the fitter not like the blocks? Is it because it affects your position? Why would the blocks influence the fit on the horse?
If the blocks negatively influence you, or you are a person that will learn to rely on them, take them off. If they’re a helpful tool, then keep them.
Are they removable as in Velcro? If so, you could use them sometimes (like when the horse is fresh or facing something new) and not use them other times.
If not, I guess it would come down to your comfort and security without them. If you feel more secure with them in the early stages, you could also remove them later.
My main saddle is a monoflap with basically external thigh blocks (end above my knee). I don’t think about the blocks much, they’re just there. They’re softer and not huge, and also angled a bit, so they don’t push my leg back unnaturally. Last year I rode someone else’s horse a few times in her brand new N2, which has big, much stiffer external blocks that are straighter. I would say those definitely restrict position and would become a crutch for a learning rider because they lock you in. My second dressage saddle is a Kent & Masters with velcro blocks, which I bought to start my 4 year old in. I threw it on my older mare last night to make sure I feel comfortable/secure it it before I crawl onto my 17H baby for the first time. Although the blocks aren’t huge, having them under the flap is a very different feel. It pushes my leg much more off the horse, and makes it harder to drape the leg nicely. I will keep them on for security starting baby, but if I was going to “do dressage” in this saddle I would either remove them or switch them out for a thin pencil roll that doesn’t lift the saddle flap up as much. So, I think a pencil roll, or a smaller external block that doesn’t force your position is probably OK, but anything that forces a position or prevents a draped leg should be avoided, especially before you have a good, independent position.
They vary greatly depending on rider and block shapes. I tend to hate them. My older mare’s saddle has the smallest, most angled blocks which were an option for it, and I generally don’t even touch them. My other saddle was a demo saddle, and the blocks are bigger and less angled. She’s a big mover, and the blocks have always limited my ability to position with her. On the other hand, the saddle was purchased for my TB who has a launching off the ground then plant front legs and do a “handstand” move as his specialty for misbehavior. On him, the blocks basically prevented the saddle from being an ejector seat when he did that move. He literally jolts me so hard I get whiplash from the move, but I stay on without trouble and the blocks do help there.
The pandemic messed up my plans to order a new saddle so I’m not sure when I can, but I will be getting smaller or no blocks with it. My trainer didn’t believe me how much the blocks were in the way until I came back from 10 weeks of not riding and he could see how they interfered with my tighter hips and stirrups 2 holes shorter. Right now I actually intentionally put my knees outside the blocks to help reset angle on my legs - I tend to go knees in and be unable to use my lower legs at all, so they help me loosen up and open knees more so I can lose my legs and seat more effectively. I would never get big blocks for 2 minutes / ride of helping when out of shape.
Is your fitter saying that because the blocks can’t be positioned to fit you for proper leg positioning? The reason that I don’t like blocks is that if your weight or flexibility changes, then you may end up with A saddle that puts you in an unstable position. They also make it hard for me to jump a creek on a trail ride.
This. The Kent and Masters in what I bought, and yes, it’s for the baby, but the fitter thinks the blocks are actually interfering with my leg.
Now I get it. I didn’t think I was losing it. I have only ridden him in it at a trot, so I want to try it without the blocks and see what happens. I get what everyone says about security. I may need it going forward in his training, but maybe not so much now? I am going to go with what the trainer recommends.
The best blocks should be netural for your position. You do not even notice them, but when you need them, they support. They should follow the angle of your thigh.
I like them shorter than the knee.
Thanks Ann, I will see if they need to be adjusted accordingly.
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