Dressage to Hunters/Equitation

[HorseBuff]

For those who have come from Dressage and moved to Hunters/equitation, how did you find the differences between your seat, aids and moving from a dressage to a hunt saddle?

I rode H/J in my early days, came back to riding 6 years ago and have been riding very basic dressage. I’m finding that I’d like to add some variation to our riding including some light jumping, trails, hunter paces and obstacles (my mare loves them!). We don’t show.

Looking at switching from our Schleese Prolight (dressage) to the Schleese Unilight saddle (hunter saddle). If anyone has any experience with the Unilight, I’d love to hear about it. Schleese fits her very well so I’m not interested in other brands. It was a long road to find a good fit for her.

[Scribbler]

@HorseBuff

For those who have come from Dressage and moved to Hunters/equitation, how did you find the differences between your seat, aids and moving from a dressage to a hunt saddle?

I rode H/J in my early days, came back to riding 6 years ago and have been riding very basic dressage. I’m finding that I’d like to add some variation to our riding including some light jumping, trails, hunter paces and obstacles (my mare loves them!). We don’t show.

Looking at switching from our Schleese Prolight (dressage) to the Schleese Unilight saddle (hunter saddle). If anyone has any experience with the Unilight, I’d love to hear about it. Schleese fits her very well so I’m not interested in other brands. It was a long road to find a good fit for her.

I rode Western, bareback and in a jump saddle as a kid, with no lessons. I returned to riding about 15 years ago in h/j lessons, then transitioned to dressage when I started leasing my current horse. Now I do back country riding in a dressage saddle.

I feel like the switch from jump to dresssge is harder than the reverse. Jumpers have trouble lengthening the stirrups and sitting up and into the saddle

The big strength thing in dressage is core, being able to sit the trot. The big strength thing in h/j is thighs and being able to two point indefinitely. I have a dressage and a jump saddle and like to alternate to work on different skill and fitness aspects. I like to go trot two point on trails until my thighs burn, good exercise for both of us!!

[HorseBuff]

Thank you for your reply. I grew up riding h/j and it took me a full year to get a decent dressage seat when I returned to riding. I have a feeling it’ll be easier to ride h/j but yes, my thighs may not be happy! I’m not sure how my horse will like the difference.

I’ve been wondering if I should hold on to my dressage saddle or trade it in. I’ll have to see how I like the hunter saddle. I won’t get to try it until late October so in the meantime, I’ve ordered flat thigh blocks so I can at least get into 2 point.

[Scribbler]

@HorseBuff

Thank you for your reply. I grew up riding h/j and it took me a full year to get a decent dressage seat when I returned to riding. I have a feeling it’ll be easier to ride h/j but yes, my thighs may not be happy! I’m not sure how my horse will like the difference.

I’ve been wondering if I should hold on to my dressage saddle or trade it in. I’ll have to see how I like the hunter saddle. I won’t get to try it until late October so in the meantime, I’ve ordered flat thigh blocks so I can at least get into 2 point.

If you like your dressage saddle, keep it. It’s useful to switch back and forth both for you and the horse. Also a saddle that fits you both is a treasure and can be really hard to find again should you want it.

[HorseBuff]

Very true!!! It took us quite a long time and many saddle attempts to find this one. That is why I’m waiting to try the hunter saddle I am. Same company and same seat system plus they have her measurements and mine.

[Pokerface]

I think, which ever discipline you started with will always be the “easier” one. I have always ever ridden HJ, but I dabble in dressage. I found the transition relatively easy, and for sure the dressage helped both me and my horse. I strongly encourage you to keep your dressage saddle, not only is it great to have a well-fitting saddle as a backup, but as mentioned above, it is great for cross training for both you and your horse.