Favorite Dressage saddles?

[Rnichols]

I am beginning my search for a dressage saddle, and would love some suggestions. Ive only ridden in a handful of different dressage saddles, all of which have been on the cheaper side (read: stuff and not very comfortable). I’d really like to find a comfy dressage saddle, so then maybe I’d actually ride in it more than once a week!

Not sure how I feel about those HUGE knee rolls I’ve seen on some dressage saddles … do they help push your left back? Anyways I’m really open to all suggestions and interested to hear what others love. I’ll definitley be shopping used, with a budget of $2k (although ideally I’d like to stay probably around 1.5k, but for the perfect saddle…)

[LadyB]

I recently purchased a Prestige Venus K and am absolutely IN LOVE with it. The thigh blocks are medium, and so far I am still in love, have had it since November and its definitely my primary saddle. It’s above your budget, but if you can find a used Prestige Dressage saddle you are in that budget.

Another one I absolutely love, the bran will never fit my horse is Amerigo. Their dressage saddle feels like marshmallows to me. Their thigh blocks are so squishy and soft, I absolutely love the saddle. You can find them used in that price range as well.

[HiJumpGrrl]

I have a very old Passier dressage saddle that does not have blocks and it does the job. I have ridden in some dressage saddles with blocks and stuff that I swear are like a seat belt. They put you in a position and HOLD YOU THERE. It’s amazing… my only recommendation is to ride in lots to see what you like.

[islgrl]

I think that depends on the horse. For example, the saddle I rode my previous horse in was GREAT. Until I got a new horse. I CAN NOT ride in this saddle on this horse to save my life. He’s such a different shape that my relationship to the saddle has changed. A LOT. Ride in everything you can find until you find the saddle that works for both of you…

[Wordplay1832]

I love my County Competitor. I’ve had it for 9 years and it was used when I bought it. Love that it is wool flocked so can be adjusted if need be, but it seriously fits pretty much everything I put it on. It’s very comfortable for me and puts me in a good balance, and has held up remarkably well. I found mine used within your budget.

[mg]

I rode in an Albion SLK for several years and really enjoy its minimalist design and good balance. I recently purchased a Frank Baines Pirouette and I am OBSESSED with it. The design is more secure than the Albion but still allows me to move as needed. It’s also soooo comfortable. I also picked up a Thorowgood Hi-Wither T8 for my pony who got a bit too fat over the winter and I find it quite comfortable too. Kent & Masters and Hastilow are considered the “higher end” versions of the Thorowgood saddles.

I find I have a different preference for balance points in my jumping saddles vs dressage. For my jump saddle, I love the forward balance, but I’m all about the UK saddles for dressage. My jump saddle is a Prestige but I cannot ride in a Prestige dressage saddle to save my life.

[whitney159]

I recently bought an Albion Genesis, I also have an Albion modified comfort (that I will sell to help offset the cost of this one). I LOVE the Albions because I like a wide twist, no one else I know likes this wide of a twist.

It’s all about what you like and what fits you and your horse! I tried a ton before buying my first one, loved the balance of some, the blocks on others etc. All you can do is sit in a bunch of them!

At your price point, you should be able to find something lightly used that is a nice quality saddle!

[Rnichols]

[QUOTE=islgrl;8675951]
I think that depends on the horse. For example, the saddle I rode my previous horse in was GREAT. Until I got a new horse. I CAN NOT ride in this saddle on this horse to save my life. He’s such a different shape that my relationship to the saddle has changed. A LOT. Ride in everything you can find until you find the saddle that works for both of you…[/QUOTE]

That is an excellent point! I’m experiencing that with my jump saddle right now…but luckily in the opposite order. I really didn’t like it on my old gelding, but on my new mare I feel quite comfortable in it. Good thing too, because my bank account cant handle needing TWO new saddles!

Thanks for the advice so far, everyone. I was borrowing an old Passier from somebody (who just needed it back…it’s now collecting mold in their garage :lol:), and it wasn’t my favorite. I think I definitely will have to ride in a bunch of different ones and see what I like best. I’m a huge online shopper, but I think in this case I’ll have to look locally. Luckily my mare doesn’t have skyscraper withers like my old horse did, so hopefully it won’t be such a nightmare to find a saddle to fit her too

[kashmere]

I prefer older-style saddles with less support, i.e. no massive knee and thigh blocks, and a shallower seat. I will ride in anything Passier til the cows come home and be happy. I’ve also ridden in a few Countys that I liked - though they had deeper seats.

Oddly enough, the dressage saddle I’m using right now is a bargain bin synthetic that cost $300 brand new and was bought as a stopgap for my old gelding when he was changing shape as he aged. Fits my mare like a total dream and works well enough for me. Flat as a pancake I’m keeping my eye out in my local consignment for a used Passier.

[Larbear]

I love my Passier GG… no big knee blocks or calf blocks

[beowulf]

What should be equally if not more important is what is most comfortable for your horse… Make sure you have a saddle fitter out for whatever saddle you ride in.

That being said, I love my Kieffer Wein. It has fit (adjusted by pro fitter, MW tree) three different TBs, all of very, very different shapes - one weedy/rangy, one stocky QH type build, and the current who is an old-world style TB, big of bone and substance. It always puts me in a secure position and I have even jumped in it no problem. It has a medium twist and very subtle barely there thigh-blocks, but it has a seat that just encourages you to sit and it is the first saddle I will reach for if I am riding a rowdy or wild horse or going on a long distance trail ride.

We liked it so much we bought a second (MN tree) for one of our slab-sided TBs.

The thing I like about them is their tree shape and how versatile they are with flocking - you can apparently have the tree adjusted on them but I haven’t had to.

[whitney159]

Beowulf, I share your love of a Kieffer saddle. I’ve ridden in several, and the balance of those saddles is just lovely.
I want to go on about Passiers I have loved and that one KN that seemed like “the one” all those years ago. It’s funny, but I have ridden in a wide range of dressage saddles and found something to love about every single one of them! A lot is preference and yes, fit on the horse.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=whitney159;8677156]
Beowulf, I share your love of a Kieffer saddle. I’ve ridden in several, and the balance of those saddles is just lovely.
I want to go on about Passiers I have loved and that one KN that seemed like “the one” all those years ago. It’s funny, but I have ridden in a wide range of dressage saddles and found something to love about every single one of them! A lot is preference and yes, fit on the horse.[/QUOTE]
I also love Passier and KN!

I have a KN now that I have a serious love-hate relationship with.

I love it because it puts me in a great and secure place… I hate it because the seat depth is so strange and tilted that sometimes I feel as if I am sliding off of it; not an experience I’ve ever felt with a saddle before!

[dappled]

Another vote for County over here. Had a Competitor for years and it was my favorite saddle I’ve ever owned.

I’ll also second that some saddles ride differently on different horses! I have an Amerigo jumping saddle that I’ve loved on every horse I’ve ever put it on, EXCEPT my older gelding. For whatever reason, it just feels weird on him. It fits him okay, but I think the balance of that saddle is so forward and he’s such a behind-the-leg type, it just feels like I’m constantly tipping forward and out of sync. It’s weird, but a horse’s way of going can definitely affect how you feel in a particular saddle, regardless of how much you liked sitting in it at the store or how well it fits them. So I think it’s definitely something to consider!

[Rnichols]

@beowulf;8677140

What should be equally if not more important is what is most comfortable for your horse… Make sure you have a saddle fitter out for whatever saddle you ride in.

Oh, of course! Which is why I’d really like to be able to do at least a week trial on any saddle I find. Luckily the barn I’m moving to has an awesome saddle fitter that boards there and will be able to help.

[Duckz]

I really like my Custom Saddlery dressage saddle. The rep brought out lots of different models for me to try, including used ones. I was able to ride in 5-6 saddles in a row which was very helpful. My horse had very strong opinions on which saddle was his favorite! Custom is really good about letting you try the saddle. I think mine came with 10 day money back guarantee if I decided I didn’t like it for whatever reason.

[Rnichols]

I have thought about calling a local County rep (I’m in love with their jump saddles), but I didn’t realize reps had used saddles too. What a great idea - I think I will for sure give that a try. Do they typically charge a fee to come out? I’ve heard great things about Custom saddles as well. Oooh, I’m pretty excited now, especially to try so many different saddles at once and in one spot.

[Duckz]

[QUOTE=Rnichols;8677980]
I have thought about calling a local County rep (I’m in love with their jump saddles), but I didn’t realize reps had used saddles too. What a great idea - I think I will for sure give that a try. Do they typically charge a fee to come out? I’ve heard great things about Custom saddles as well. Oooh, I’m pretty excited now, especially to try so many different saddles at once and in one spot.[/QUOTE]

I think I paid $50 flat fee for the Custom rep to come out. It was definitely worth it to sit in a bunch of saddles.

[eventer_mi]

While I’m not a fan of the Black Country jump saddles, I adore their dressage saddles. I had an Albion (didn’t like - the panels were rock hard, even after completely reflocking - do they put a liner in there or something?) and it was very heavy. Devoucoux - ooooh so comfy, but it didn’t fit the high withered, broad shouldered redhead. I used to board at a pretty big competitive eventing barn, and they all used Voltaires - until the rep started not being able to get the horses comfortable in them. They have all switched over to Black Country, and EVERY. SINGLE. HORSE goes better in them than the Voltaires that were previously “fitted” to them. I’ve had two BCs over the years, my current one being an Adelinda, and the pony loves it and so do I.

[halfhalt896]

I love my Stubben Aramis. The saddle doesn’t box me in but just puts me naturally in the right place. I got it with adjustable stirrup bars so that I can put them all the way back. I’ve never had a saddle that fits me so well and my horse seems to enjoy the flex tree (he doesn’t object but then he’s the super stoic type).