As I get older, the thought of doing more dressage is appealing to me. This year I want to focus on showing dressage (think training/first level) rather than riding in jumper shows. I still enjoy jumping at home, but showing is not as it used to be. So, I currently ride in a KN jump saddle. My horse is a big-bodied 16.2 hh TB. He’s a kind of round, yet still TB. I guess I could post a pic if that would help any. But I’m finally going to buy a good dressage saddle. I want a good quality, used saddle. The problem is, I really don’t know where to start as far as choice of saddle. I have a few local shops, one being a used-tack shop that has quite a few saddles. Can anyone give me any ideas on what brands/models to look for that would be good for a rider such as myself? I know I will have to sit in a lot of saddles, but I’d love to know where to start and what saddles to avoid, etc. Obviously, I will make sure whatever models I try fit my boy, but I’d still love some advice. I appreciate it!
I sold a young lady my Albion (sniff) for dressage. She was an eventer that had a nice TB mare, who was surprisingly round (there was a warmblood in the woodpile somewhere!). It fit that mare really well. After a week trial and her trainer watching her ride in it she bought it.
I loved that saddle. But it didn’t fit my new pony (like as in, literally a pony, wide as crap!) so I needed to sell it to buy another saddle that fit. I ended up buying a used Bates Isabell saddle because my trainer had one and I really liked it.
I actually got the Albion from a non denominational saddle fitter. At the time it was the only thing that fit both me and the mare I was riding. If you can find someone like that in your area, it’s well worth the time and money.
Good luck!
Thank you! I will check.
I second the “nondenominational” saddle fitter recommendation - what a great term for it!
I started my dressage “career” in an Wintec Isabell. We had a fitter out at our farm, and while it didn’t fit my friend’s Arab, it was darn near perfect for my TB mare.
I have a wider WBx now and ride in a Custom Wolfgang. Super comfortable and a good step up from the Wintec Isabell.
Funny, as I have a Wintec Isabell. I want to upgrade. :). I am not 100% comfortable in that one, though.
I was on a budget so I got this.
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/thorowgood-t8-high-wither-dressage-saddle--12089
It has worked well for me and my TB girl. They also have a normal (non high wither version). If you aren’t able to find a saddle right away- perhaps something like this could work until you find something better. I think the resale on them is very good.
Consider a passier gg. My fitter referred to them as a canonical choice for a TB. A Kieffer lech profi also fit my TB well. The isabell did not - too long and flat for him.
Thanks, all, for the recommendations.
I bought an Albion when I was doing dressage with my TB (a break from our normal H/J life). I bought it new from an Albion rep, so even though it wasn’t a custom saddle, it was fit for both my my horse and me. What I really appreciated about it coming from the H/J world was that since it didn’t have huge blocks it helped my leg be long in a very kind way.
I second (or third) the professional fitter recommendation. They can help you identify the features that your horse requires, the features that you want/need and make brand suggestions based on those criteria. Some may have used saddles for sale, but you can also have saddles checked for fit during a trial period if you find them for sale elsewhere.
good luck on the search!
Assuming KN stands for Niedersuss, why not try one of their dressage saddles? It’s not a guaranteed fit (nothing ever is…) but if it works for your guy that’s probably where I’d start. Lots of used ones in good shape available for very reasonable prices! I know lots of lower level riders who are happy with them.
I suggest riding in as many dressage saddles as you can-even if they aren’t for sale-before buying. The thing about jump saddles is they are all about balancing the rider correctly, so when you find the right one, riders typically stay happy with that saddle for a long time. Modern dressage saddles have a lot more stuff (big ole blocks, deep seats, different ramps up to the pommel, etc) that impacts the rider’s position, so as people learn more and their position changes and improves, what they want in their dressage saddle changes. That’s why you see dressage riders playing the saddle game every couple of years, while hunters and jumpers treasure their Butet from 1998 until the flaps fall off.
I have a KN Symphonie dressage saddle that’s a M/W that is too wide for my TB - sits too low in front. The Passier GG fit her wonderfully, but the flaps were too long for me. I now have a Black Country Eloquence. The Eden fits the curvy back, I think, but my mare isn’t that dippy. She’s a well-sprung TB but has a wither, though not shark fin. I did use a non-denominational saddlefitter to help narrow down my search, then found a great deal on a used Eloquence on eBay. I had tried a medium Kieffer on her, and no bueno - she’s too wide.
Hi, all. I am checking in. I actually had a saddle fitter out today. Funny thing, on a whim I looked up saddle fitters and the one I remember being recommended before to me happened to be in my town today. So she took the time to come out. Very lucky.
Well, her recommendations for me and my horse are an 18" MW Custom Saddlery Solo or Advantage. She also said an 18" MW Albion SL or SLK would work for us. Doing some searching, but so far none are jumping out at me for one reason or another. The search starts in earnest! Thank you all for your advice.
Oh, and she doesn’t like my KN for me. Too small. She likes my DH’s KN better, so I may have to borrow his. 
I just bought a Albion SLK HH for my shark finned TB. The HH model was harder to find then the LH Im guessing would work for you. I had great luck looking for used albions in the UK, SOO MUCH CHEAPER than what I was finding in the US. I picked my Albion SLK HH for 300 pounds, less then $500 US after shipping. Im also from H/J land and so far loving the albion!
Good luck.
My first dressage saddle after converting from hunterland was a Custom Advantage. It was a great transition saddle for me and fit my gelding really well (they are quite adjustable which I found helpful as he built more topline.) Later your taste may change a bit - mine did - but the Customs are moderately priced, especially used, and seem to hold their value pretty well.
Thank you!
When I had a Tb ( he had a classic Tb build) I rode in a Passier GT.
I believe the Passiers ( at least the older ones are Tb friendly)
Don’t forget to make sure you like the saddle for yourself.
Thsir are a lot of saddles that will not work for your body
Thanks, DQ Foxhunter. I did order a saddle, and I’ll test it out as soon as it comes in. I definitely will need to be comfortable in it as well.
I appreciate everyone’s input.
