Forward Balance Dressage Saddles

[GraceLikeRain]

What saddle brands or models have a balance point that is more towards the front of the saddle? As my saga for saddle shopping continues I’m finding that a lot of brands put me in a chair seat. I like a wide base of the seat in that I don’t want to feel like my hips are falling of the sides of the saddle but many that have a nice broad seat seem to have a balance point that’s quite far (for me) behind the stirrup bars. It seems like the spot where the saddle wants me to sit places my stirrup leathers out in front of me. To keep the stirrup leather hanging parallel to the ground my lower leg ends up in front of my vertical line of balance. I often feel like I want to scoot forward to get better alignment but then I end up more on the twist. I feel most stable with my ankle bone in line with my hip joint but that doesn’t even seem possible with my structure in most saddles.

Is there a certain body type more prone to this? Am I alone in this weird challenge?

[joiedevie99]

Check out Dominus and Jaguar, and some of the other French-style saddles. Some of the Prestiges and Verhans might work too. You could also try something like a Stubben that doesn’t fix you into one position.

[barnesthenoble]

I have the same issue, and my Schleese is the first saddle that has fixed it for me.

[GraceLikeRain]

Thank you! I’m glad that it isn’t a totally bizarre request. Mare is such a hard fit that ultimately she has to be the priority but if she’s going to be a princess and the pea, I may as well try to consider my comfort as well.

She is curvey but an Amerigo Vega rocked. It was such a poor fit that unfortunately I didn’t feel comfortable test riding in it but I’ve heard that it is a more forward balance. Has anyone found that to be the case?

I’ll look more into Dominus, Jaguar, and Verhans. It looks like jaguar and verhan has an upswept panel according to some old COTH threads. That would be a win considering I have limited back space to work with for her. Does anyone have insight as to whether either brand’s tree is more or less curved than a Vega?

I tried a Prestige Lucky and Stubben Juventus but both were too small for me so it was hard to evaluate fit. Perhaps both brands are worth revisiting with different models. Are they forward balance across the board or does it depend on the model?

I really loved a schleese that I sat in a few years back. I wish I’d made note of the model. New they’ve gotten wow expensive but used could be an option if I could find one built more for a MN TB type.

[Hawks_Nest]

Stubben has a wide range of dressage saddles, some more forward balance than others. It would be worth sitting in a few of their models.

[sheltona01]

If it happens in a lot of different saddles, I would suggest moving down in seat size. It can make a world of difference.

[Arlomine]

Look for some older Swiss Saddles.
They often have an upswept panel and a forward balance point. I have one I keep around for ponies…
I like it if I don’t have to post.
I have a short femur and it has the balance point very close to the stirrup bar.
my favorite saddle, however, is my custom. It’s small enough (17”) that I’m sot swimming in it.

[AnotherRound]

I agree with the thought that your saddle seat may be too big for you. I would suggest moving down in size, and also consider a narrow twist. The narrow twist may let your leg hang correctly from your hip, instead of having your leg reaching around the seat to find a place to hang down, which it may be reaching forward to a narrower part of the seat to do that. If you follow. See if a seat which doesn’t have so much real estate under your hip will position you better.

[no.stirrups]

Jaguar has been discontinued for some time. What used to be Jaguar is now Harry Dabbs Platinum and it’s been expanded with many more tree shapes, so some are flatter and some more curvy. Harry Dabbs also made Verhan for quite a while so again, going straight to Harry Dabbs will streamline your search.
I agree that a smaller seat size may help. If you hate that idea, Frank Baines offers a Wellep adjustable stirrup bar that can move the stirrup back more under your body.
ETA: the Black Country Dante also has a forward balance.

[kashmere]

@GraceLikeRain

I really loved a schleese that I sat in a few years back. I wish I’d made note of the model. New they’ve gotten wow expensive but used could be an option if I could find one built more for a MN TB type.

Both the HK and the Obrigado Schleese models have forward balance points. The HK more so - I’ve had both and prefer the HK. I’ve always bought used on a 3k-and-under budget and had a lot of success. There are options for very short panel lengths and configurations that work for short-backed horses. Their upswept panel is called a Relief Wedge - denoted on the flap as “RW.” Depending on just how short your horse’s back is, you’d likely be looking at a 2 or maybe a 1 panel - but 1 is really very short. So looking at used, you’d likely be looking for the info on the underside of the flap to say “2 - RW - SR” (SR being shoulder relief that is pretty much standard). The seat size would be stamped underneath that. 2 panels are standard on 17" seats, but available on 17.5" and 18" as well.

Sorry for the novel! I’ve just had a lot of experience buying used Schleeses and thought it might be useful info to pass on They’ve treated me really well with some extremely tricky fits. Experience seems to be varied on this board when it comes to reliability of fitters etc. but I’ve worked with 3 now and never had anything but positive experiences when it comes to getting a good fit.

[MysticOakRanch]

The French saddles (such as Devoucoux) also tend to be forward balanced. Not sure what your price point is, but for some custom saddles, you can also request a wider seat! I am a narrow person, but my seat bones are wide in spite of that, and I also need a wider seat (although forward balanced doesn’t work for me).

[Scribbler]

@AnotherRound

I agree with the thought that your saddle seat may be too big for you. I would suggest moving down in size, and also consider a narrow twist. The narrow twist may let your leg hang correctly from your hip, instead of having your leg reaching around the seat to find a place to hang down, which it may be reaching forward to a narrower part of the seat to do that. If you follow. See if a seat which doesn’t have so much real estate under your hip will position you better.

Interestingly my mare forces me into a chair seat no matter what saddle. But on other horses I don’t have a chair seat. I see this in photos and video both casual and lessons/ shows.

My mare has a wide back and big barrel and shoulders and muscles and is usually a bit overweight :).

”‹”‹”‹”‹I think it’s the equivalent of the horse having a wide twist.

I love riding her, feel very secure and comfy up there. But I have to work to get my leg under me when I ride her.

[CanteringCarrot]

I have this same problem. This is why my saddle fitter is coming on Thursday, actually. My Fairfax Gareth (supposedly forward balance, but I’d not, at all, IMO) is just bugging me so I want to sit in a few other saddles. Part of it is my conformation, I think my long femur plays a role. My horse is built quite uphill as well.

[tnscvaga]

The Black Country Optima has a narrow twist and a more forward balance point

[high_hat]

The other option is to put in extended stirrup bars. You can do this in Schleese’s and I’ve sat in a few Hulsebo’s that have them already.