Has anyone tried to make their own version of the Butet practice saddle?

[StormyDay]

@MHM

@starsandsun

Or use a bareback pad? Honestly I’d love to try it but no way am I paying that much $$$ for one.

My mother, who was a very wise and experienced horse person, was dead set against the idea of a bareback pad. She said it was very unsafe, because it was not actually secure enough on the horse, and it was an easy way to get tangled up if something went wrong.

At least if you’re riding bareback and you come off, you’re just on the ground, not getting dragged along under or behind the horse.

I logged a lot of time as a kid riding bareback with a halter and two lead ropes. I will still do it once in a while, although I am pretty darn selective about the horse these days. Lol.

Additional bonus- no tack to clean!

My mother who is not a horse person but is an experienced horse lesson watcher feels the same. Especially the ones with the stirrups on them.

Instead she insisted I ride bareback with a saddle pad. It made me develop good seat muscles

[MHM]

Exactly. It’s fantastic for developing balance and feel as well.

[ZuzusPetals]

Ooooooooo.

[FitzRoy]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I do occasionally ride bareback, but I feel bad for my horse doing it too often, something with stirrups would probably help his back and mouth a lot until my seat improves at least. I’m looking at exercise saddles as an option now at my trainers advice, and after reading this article: https://eventingnation.com/the-teeny-tiny-saddle-that-made-a-big-difference-for-bobby-meyerhoff/

[ZuzusPetals]

@MHM

I logged a lot of time as a kid riding bareback with a halter and two lead ropes. I will still do it once in a while, although I am pretty darn selective about the horse these days. Lol.

Something very precious about bareback time, particularly with a halter and a leadline or two. It’s such a sense of connection, of, “Hi. We’re existing together, just you and I, as your kind and my kind have done for thousands of years.”

[MHM]

@ZuzusPetals

@MHM

I logged a lot of time as a kid riding bareback with a halter and two lead ropes. I will still do it once in a while, although I am pretty darn selective about the horse these days. Lol.

Something very precious about bareback time, particularly with a halter and a leadline or two. It’s such a sense of connection, of, “Hi. We’re existing together, just you and I, as your kind and my kind have done for thousands of years.”

Yes. I will admit that the first time I did it after a break of many years, I did hem and haw for a bit before I actually put my leg over the horse’s back. Luckily, he was fine about it. Lol.

[Mander]

Whoah. Is there no requirement for a dressage saddle, even at the 4* level?

[MHM]

From the USEF rules:

DR121 Saddlery and Equipment
The provisions of DR121 apply to both competing and non-competing dressage horses from the time horses are admitted to the grounds, which are designated for the Dressage Competition. The responsibility for the correct attire and equipment rests with the competitor.
All saddlery and equipment must be attached, worn, and used in a conventional manner.

1. Saddle. An English type saddle, with or without a tree, with flaps, stirrups and a girth is compulsory for all tests and classes other than FEI tests. For FEI tests it is compulsory to use a well-fitting dressage saddle that is close to the horse with long, near-vertical flaps and stirrups (except for FEI Para Dressage tests) and a girth. The use of a saddle with a horn, swell, gallerie, or open gullet, or the use of an original or modified Australian, Baroque, Endurance, McClellan, Spanish, Stock, or Western saddle is prohibited. See DR308.4 for Para Dressage requirements. BOD 1/14/23 Effective 2/1/23

[leighbo009]

I think a bareback pad - as long as no stirrups as safe. Stirrups is what you get tangled up in & puts extra pressure on a small area of the spine. So bareback pad with no stirrups is my vote.

But also curouis about the jockey saddle - I think that would be great for my fitness work… wonder how much they are - and will it fit my horse? I don’t want him to get sore…

[Mander]

That’s what I expected the rules to say. I wouldn’t consider the racing saddle to have long, near vertical flaps. I’m rather surprised he wasn’t DQ’d for using it in dressage.

[MHM]

Well, if you look at the date on that rule, maybe it is brand new as a result of that occasion. Lol.

[Mander]

LOL I completely missed that. I bet you’re right.

[MHM]

Actually, the rules for eventing are different, so he was probably fine. The “English type saddle” requirement is the same for all three phases.

From the USEF rules:

SUBCHAPTER EV-10 SADDLERY

1. EXERCISE AREAS. The following restrictions begin at 3:00 p.m. of the day prior to the start of the entire competition and continue throughout the duration of the event. The following are compulsory: an English type saddle and any form of bridle, including double bridle, snaffle, gag or hackamores. Running martingales with rein stops, Irish martingales, bit guards, boots, bandages, fly shields, nose covers, and seat covers are permitted. Side reins are permitted only while lunging an unmounted horse, as are running reins and chambons. Other martingales, any form of gadget (such as a bearing, running or balancing reins, etc.) and any form of blinkers, are forbidden, under penalty of disqualification.
2. DRESSAGE TEST.
   a. The following are compulsory: an English type saddle and a permitted bridle.

[LovieBird]

I heard racing saddles have sort of a half tree, so not great for the horse’s backs.

[Mander]

Ah you’re right - I also went and looked at the FEI rulebook (presumably what a CCI4*-L would run according to), which also says the same thing. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised, but TIL.

[StormyDay]

@LovieBird

I heard racing saddles have sort of a half tree, so not great for the horse’s backs.

It very much depends on the saddle. Some have a tree only under the stirrup bar. Some have none at all, and some have a full tree.

[Bogie]

@LovieBird

I heard racing saddles have sort of a half tree, so not great for the horse’s backs.

This would be my concern. Especially with jumping if there isn’t enough structure to the saddle, there would be a lot of weight concentrated under the stirrup bars. I’d want to talk to a saddle fitter/maker to better understand how weight is dissipated.

[sp56]

You can find an old fashioned flat as a pancake, hard as concrete saddle for not a lot of money. It’ll have the same effect. Just make sure it fits/is padded to your horse correctly.

There’s a reason why American’s developed the “forward seat” in riding - partially because we rode thoroughbreds but also because those saddles were too uncomfortable to sit in.

[Atlas_Shrugged]

I want that “fake fur” on all my saddles ! lol