Forward flap dressage saddles

[outerbanks77]

[QUOTE=Dutchmare433;8881062]
Are you buying new? Any of the British brands (Black Country, Detente, Bliss, Patrick Keane) can and will put a forward flap on whatever saddle you want. It’s not an option that costs much more than the base model to do. I would imagine any handmade, custom, or semi-custom saddle could be made that way.

You could also consider a saddle with a moveable block. They velcro on and you can move them forward and back to get a better fit.[/QUOTE]

Yep, I desperately wanted to love my Albion SLK, but my knee was constantly on top of the block. The only forward flap dressage saddle I was able to find used was a County Connection, and it worked for me, but not the horse. Last year I ordered Black Country Vinici with a 1.5" forward flap (wish I’d gone 2", really) and a thigh block instead of the full block, and I’m quite happy with it. All these straight flaps are ridiculous for most riders. You might also look for something without blocks, if you can do without them. It frees up a lot of real estate at the front of the saddle.

[runNjump86]

Following. I’m in the same boat.

[myhorsefaith]

I have found that I do much better with saddles that have short blocks that end up resting on the thigh, just above the knee. The angle of the block is important vs the size of the block. An example would be the Custom Wolfgang Solo w/ Short block. I can get the right size seat and not feel jammed in between where my knee smashes into the block and against the cantle, or get a seat too large and feel like i’m swimming. I bought it second hand and because it is the cheaper, off-the-shelf one it is showing more wear than I’d prefer, but functionally it is fantastic for my long femur and seat with a great twist too.

I also like saddles that have a velcro moveable block so i can set the angle to do this as well. And sometimes depending on the length i will swap them for short general purpose or jumper blocks so i can get the angle correct without them sticking out from under the flap.

All that to say I’m not sure you need to look solely for a forward flap - look at how the blocks are angled on the saddle as well. Guess you can achieve the same thing 2 different ways.

[Velvet]

For an uber long femur you still need a more forward flap, but the block placement doesn’t impact things a lot, too. If it blocks and pushes the knee back to much, then you end up forked over the seat. If you have one that has shorter blocks and not a forward flap, then your knee still pokes out the front or rides right on the front edge of the flap.

[myhorsefaith]

[QUOTE=Velvet;8886340]
For an uber long femur you still need a more forward flap, but the block placement doesn’t impact things a lot, too. If it blocks and pushes the knee back to much, then you end up forked over the seat. If you have one that has shorter blocks and not a forward flap, then your knee still pokes out the front or rides right on the front edge of the flap.[/QUOTE]

very true!

[sheltona01]

It really depends on your budget and your horse about what saddles may work for you. Most of the British Brands can be order to help with a longer thigh including the forward flap, short or Velcro blocks. However I find on a lot of rider built like you, stirrup bar position really influences how effective you are with your horse. It show up more in jump saddles because if you are off balance you get throw around, but it can really impact your dressage position. You really have to find the right combination that works.

[Halfling]

[QUOTE=Velvet;8881208]
Yeah, because so many of us can afford a Hermes saddle. :lol:[/QUOTE]

You can find these very reasonably on eBay. Also other similar design saddles such as Devocoux, Antares (love them) Luc Childeric, L’Apogee. My horse can not have anything that sits behind her shoulder blades because the way she moves jams everything into them. She has to have something with a forward curved flap that sits slightly over her shoulder blades that enable her shoulders to Glide under the front of the saddle. With the Hermes I find that the shape of the flap enables me to get my long leg where I want it without being forced.