Ride in Dressage saddle?

[rugbygirl]

I love my Isabell for trail and endurance riding. Mine has over 1000 miles on it, all trails up North. I took the blocks out (they are Velcro) and shorten my stirrups about two holes from where I ride Dressage. For how I’m built, that works. The old Isabel doesn’t have the super deep seat of some saddles, but I find it very secure. It’s not terribly tough to get into a solid two point, and I do a lot of that when I’m conditioning.

I don’t really ride western, and I find a lot of western and endurance-style saddles feel bulky to me. To me. I just don’t have the western background to make that my preference, to me a dressage saddle feels supportive and comfy. My horse is also easy to fit for a dressage saddle, finding western-style trees for him is quite challenging. Possible, and his old owner had one…i liked it, but honestly it felt “sloppy” to me, because there was more room in the seat… If that makes sense. My dressage saddle is just more snug without the bulk.

Anyway, I know several endurance riders, FEI level, who love their Dressage saddles too. Try some out! Remember too that you can change the blocks on some of them, relatively inexpensively.

[LookinForSpace]

I don’t do endurance riding. But I definitely use a dressage saddle for all of my trail riding, it’s so comfy! And yes, it’s a nice, secure, balanced seat.

With a gaited horse, a dressage saddle is an excellent choice as it usually leaves the shoulders free. Liz Graves recommends dressage saddles for gaited breeds.

For that matter, I used to use a western saddle for beginners, thinking that it would make them feel more secure with a horn to grab. Nope. Putting a first-timer in a dressage saddle helps them feel much more secure more quickly IME.

[PeanutButterPony]

[QUOTE=PNW AMTS Dealer;8093066]
Don’t take it personal, and yes this has been a good/helpful thread. There is just one who has a history of being a Know it All @ss, gladly he ended his post well.[/QUOTE]

G’s post is fine, you however are stirring the pot.

[rugbygirl]

@LookinForSpace;8093169

With a gaited horse, a dressage saddle is an excellent choice as it usually leaves the shoulders free. Liz Graves recommends dressage saddles for gaited breeds.

That’s kind of what I was thinking too, when the OP mentioned a gaited horse. I don’t know very much about them, but I do know that people seem to struggle finding saddles that allow the shoulder movement.

My horse has a similar problem, he’s a jumper, but he has a REALLY laid back shoulder, and a lot of reach. His jumping saddle has flexible points to accommodate this. Dressage saddles are no problem, they are designed to allow the freedom in the shoulder. I think that’s why he seems comfortable in them.

[PNW_AMTS_Dealer]

[QUOTE=PeanutButterPony;8093182]
G’s post is fine, you however are stirring the pot.[/QUOTE]

I’m not stirring anything, simply making an observation and supporting a fellow person with disabilities that make riding hard(er). Humm…G? I mentioned no name, you are either very perceptive or maybe his post was borderline…

Yes, Liz does recommend dressage saddles, but not all dressage saddles free up the shoulders for gaited horse conformation. I have had terrible luck getting those with point billets to work for my walker.

[rugbygirl]

[QUOTE=PNW AMTS Dealer;8093764]
I’m not stirring anything, simply making an observation and supporting a fellow person with disabilities that make riding hard(er). Humm…G? I mentioned no name, you are either very perceptive or maybe his post was borderline…

Yes, Liz does recommend dressage saddles, but not all dressage saddles free up the shoulders for gaited horse conformation. I have had terrible luck getting those with point billets to work for my walker.[/QUOTE]

It definitely depends on a combination of factors. Some Dressage saddles have a more forward-cut front end and interfere with my horse’s shoulder too.

I know that another problem people sometimes run into on very short-backed horses is how much longer the whole Western skirt assembly tends to be. With many Arabians, they go to a cut-away (sometimes called barrel) skirt.

[Guilherme]

Like people, not all Dressage saddles are created equal. I’ve trail ridden in a Tristan and didn’t like it at all. In the rougher terrain of East TN is really didn’t offer the sort of support that is nice to have. My wife rides a Siegfried VSD-DL and loves it. I can ride it, but it’s not the best for me (I need another inch in the seat). I’ve got a Stubben Scout and it is a near perfect fit on the horse (particularly if I use a blanket folded cavalry-style). She doesn’t like it at all as it’s too big (it only comes in 18 and 19 inch seats).

It’s less the moniker somebody puts on a saddle than it is shape (tree and seat). If the maker is being honest and the name used in fact does describe the basic function which the designer intended then you’re OK. While some DQs get a bad case of the vapors if someone suggests riding outside of a menage a significant number understand that getting out in nature is good for horse and rider. Some makers understand that, too; other’s don’t.

If the maker is being “cute” or, worse, deceptive then you have a whole different conversation.

Perhaps we can say that the name on a saddle is the beginning of an investigation, not the end?

G.

[walkers]

Again thanks for all the help and ideas. I was looking on the Stubben UK web site and their fancy new dressage saddle is real deep and the cantle very high even comes with fake diamonds! I didn’t want to even price that saddle.!! Luckily I don’t think its in the US yet but I guess this is the new look for dressage as watching recent shows those cantle looked like little chair backs.

anyway talked to some saddle people today and they suggested just cutting the blocks off if they felt too restrictive. don’t think i could do that to a new saddle.
I did look at the LR solstice but not sure I’d be secure. nice saddle .

Anyone know a saddle maker in NC or Va. i’m ready to design my own saddle. ?

.
I have a friend who has done it all at a high level in the horse world. she is ex-military and now has one bum leg. She rides/jumps/hunts side saddle. She’s trying to convince me its very secure but I can’t imagine staying on or how she does it.
I think athletic people have a hard time understanding Klutzes like me.
Thanks again

[PNW_AMTS_Dealer]

Modern sidesaddles with the leaping horn are quite secure. But to get both seat bones down and right shoulder back to achieve balance takes a lot of flexibility in the spine. My body did it long enough to show for versatility, but it was agonizing. This was 20 years ago in my 30’s, can’t imagine trying it now.

[kcmel]

Stubben has used saddles on their website. The often have some good deals.

[merrygoround]

Having hacked out for hours, and having had a shot at Competitive Trail in a dressage saddle, I found it absolutely possible to get up off the horse’s back.
So, if you feel secure in it, go with it.

[Flash44]

[QUOTE=walkers;8094110]
Again thanks for all the help and ideas. I was looking on the Stubben UK web site and their fancy new dressage saddle is real deep and the cantle very high even comes with fake diamonds! I didn’t want to even price that saddle.!! Luckily I don’t think its in the US yet but I guess this is the new look for dressage as watching recent shows those cantle looked like little chair backs.

anyway talked to some saddle people today and they suggested just cutting the blocks off if they felt too restrictive. don’t think i could do that to a new saddle.
I did look at the LR solstice but not sure I’d be secure. nice saddle .

Anyone know a saddle maker in NC or Va. i’m ready to design my own saddle. ?

.
I have a friend who has done it all at a high level in the horse world. she is ex-military and now has one bum leg. She rides/jumps/hunts side saddle. She’s trying to convince me its very secure but I can’t imagine staying on or how she does it.
I think athletic people have a hard time understanding Klutzes like me.
Thanks again[/QUOTE]

I think the key is finding a saddle that fits both you and your horse well. I switched from English to Western, and found the Western saddles strange at first. Now that I ride mostly Western, I find my Western saddle to be much more comfy than my English saddle. Also, don’t worry about the extra padding etc. Way back when, English saddles were “pancake” saddles with no padding anywhere! Now they are much more comfortable, and deep and secure, even for the “experienced” riders. The bottom line is that you need to feel safe and secure, and be safe and secure, and your horse needs to be happy with what is on his back. Good luck!!

BTW - I frequently ride with my neighbor, who has a Stubben and shows. We swapped horses one day and she could not get over how comfortable my Western saddle is. The newer Western saddles that are geared towards trail riding are made to be comfortable for hours of riding.

[rugbygirl]

I did really love the Western saddle my horse’s breeder had for him. I think the seat style and seat materials have a lot to do with comfort, on top of the actual tree shape.

I had a Stubben Scandica for another horse…and that thing was brutal on trails. Like a lot of older Stubbens, it was shiny, slippery and HARD.

I tend to really prefer a roughout/suede type seat, for me, that alone makes for a nicer day in the saddle. I can’t stand those seat savers or other cushions. Anything that slips or moves under me makes me tense up. Part of “comfort” for me is being able to relax into a secure feeling seat, and for me, that includes grip.

[PNW_AMTS_Dealer]

Rugby girl, I am like you. Can’t stand those slick hard seats or fake seat covers that slide around. What has helped me have the ability to sink down in and feel secure is the Heather Moffet Seatbone Saver. It is a cover that it is made of suede (top & bottom) with memory foam on the inside. It is simply Devine, expensive but worth every penny.

[californianinkansas]

…

[2enduraceriders]

I hate Tuckers and Abettas, cannot stand to ride in either one.

That said go with what feels good for you and your horse! I rode years and years english both AP and dressage saddles depending on what fit the horse I was riding.

My daughter was top riding with a dressage saddle and rides in nothing western.

With knee and ankle pain and now bulging disks I love the two Steele saddles we own. It is the only western style saddle I can ride in now and the first saddle(s) I have sat in that do not hurt in 15 years! The give my horses plenty of free shoulder movement.

I hate to admit to the number of saddles I bought and resold on ebay trying to fine what I wanted. The Steele was sitting at a local tack store. The company does offer a try before you buy program.

Try sitting in as many saddles as you can, even if looking at them the do not look like they would work and especially if you think they might!

[walkers]

Agree on Tuckers, not for my body. I have a Steele but its too narrow for this horse, bridges on him. They have tried twice to make a tree for him but can’t, both trees sat down on his spine, way to wide. After two tries thats it. Two years ago They did make a saddle tree for a very narrow horse and that was ok but still need a breast collar to stay in place(even on the flats). If their tree works for your horse great but modifing their tree has not worked. To bad I like the saddle,deep seat but its also heavy .
I have run out of saddles to try as I can’t seem to find a well make trail/endurance saddle with english fitting/leathers. A regular Ap saddle is just not secure enugh for me.Money is not the issue.
Total dead end…

[PNW_AMTS_Dealer]

What about a saddle like this: a hybrid endurance.

English type fenders with leathers, slim pommel, deep seat.
http://s19.photobucket.com/user/krahm558/media/AMT%20SADDLES/LT16enduranceplantation.jpg.html?sort=3&o=62

This is the rigging my saddle has, same pommel, not back ring, single skiting so lighter weight. I have custom western pre turned fenders, but they can do it like the one above with leathers.
.
http://s19.photobucket.com/user/krahm558/media/AMT%20SADDLES/IMG_1008_zps8745d890.jpg.html?sort=3&o=12

[chicamux]

I recently bought a new saddle that is a dressage type trekking/trail saddle.http://www.ghostsaddle.com/Ghost_Saddles/PICTURES.html
This page shows the different models of the Ghost saddle. I got the Fanzolo model in the greased nubuck leather. I am amazed at the grippy feel of the leather! The cantle is marvelously secure. It is behind your fanny instead of under you fanny. BIG difference in feel and security. Most of the models have thigh blocks instead of knee blocks which are much more secure IMO. I’ve ridden in a lot of different treed and greeless saddles for 52 years and this is a secure saddle! It is uber lightweight also.

It is termed a treeless saddle but personally I wouldn’t call it exactly treeless. It has a carbon fiber base/tree that is flexible and adapts to the horses width and shape. The base gives the saddle real shape and weight distribution, keeps the saddle stable on the horses back. The USA dealer is in NC and has demo saddles. If you are on FB connect with me and I can give you some lknks and info. Yes, I am impressed with these saddles and they are pretty low cost too!

Bonnie Snodgrass

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=PNW AMTS Dealer;8097594]
What about a saddle like this: a hybrid endurance.

English type fenders with leathers, slim pommel, deep seat.
http://s19.photobucket.com/user/krahm558/media/AMT%20SADDLES/LT16enduranceplantation.jpg.html?sort=3&o=62

This is the rigging my saddle has, same pommel, not back ring, single skiting so lighter weight. I have custom western pre turned fenders, but they can do it like the one above with leathers.
.
http://s19.photobucket.com/user/krahm558/media/AMT%20SADDLES/IMG_1008_zps8745d890.jpg.html?sort=3&o=12[/QUOTE]

This type of saddle is fairly common in Brazil and popular among Marchador owners there. I rode a few different examples and found them, like most saddles, to be a variety of quality in terms of fit and finish.

I’ve got a generic “trail saddle” down in the barn that is very similar to the ones noted. I traded for it a couple of years ago and use it as a “guest saddle” as it has more support than my Stubben and I’m not always sure of the riding skill of a guest (or potential client). Interestingly, it has both English and Western style rigging and either can be used with an English or Western girth without any adapters.

G.