I was introduced to Western Dressage last year, the gal who had her horse beside me competed in it. I personally love riding in a western saddle, because I did a lot of my schooling in one during my younger riding years.
What type of western saddle do people typically choose for western dressage?
I think whatever is most comfortable for you and the horse. I ride WD in a Crates reining saddle. I’ve seen a lot of people showing WD in their regular show saddles. There are some making specific saddles for WD, but I don’t know a whole lot about them.
You can use whatever western saddle fits the horse and puts you in an effective position. I’ve used my roughout trainer and my show saddle without comment.
My friend had a western dressage saddle made for her. It is quite nice, but you could easily buy a used Blue Ribbon or Harris for the same price.
I have an older, used one of these that was used as a prototype for the newer ones, and I love it more than anything. It sets me exactly where I need to be, and puts my leg nicely underneath me. Also, the short skirt really helps my shorter backed mare.
Mike Corcoran lives down the street from me and is known for his western dressage saddles. Obviously, going the custom route is expensive but it might give you some pointers on what is different between them and a typical western work saddle.
In my area, the western dressage riders seem to use reining saddles mostly. I audited a clinic and the clinician said that the typical equitation/western pleasure saddle puts riders in the wrong position, and reining saddles sit them in a good spot but also have more freedom in the fenders for better/more subtle leg aids.
I do see training saddles used as well, and one rider I know of uses a wade.
The local dressage club that offers western tests also allows the use of aussie, endurance, and plantation type saddles (like Orthoflex) for western dressage tests, but I don’t know if all clubs/rulebooks are the same in that regard.
The Harmony Western Dressage Saddle has a trial program where you can “live” with the saddle for a week. Here is a great testimonial from Western Dressage Riding Gear on the Traveling Saddle log:
“There seems to be a myth among saddle sellers that any barrel saddle will make a good western dressage saddle. So, they claim to have dressage saddles when all they really have are barrel racing saddles.
Another nice ride in the Traveling Saddle on my horse today. Felt so good in the saddle I asked for some flying changes in canter. So nice! He had an annoying habit of swapping his leads when he loses his balance in canter. It took 6 months to fix, and he’d still try it when my students rode him. I’ve never asked for a change before in the year I’ve been working with him. I think it’s so impressive that the saddle is so balanced & close contact that he did six perfect changes with no swapping anywhere else in the exercise.”
I may show WD some day, and I would use my present saddle that I school hunt seat horses in everyday. Reason being that my Bob’s Doug Millholland reining saddle rides the same as my hunt seat saddle. Doug was a Monte Foreman rider, and this saddle has the 3 hole latigo system which totally eliminates any bump under the leg. It also has the stirrups hung so that when I stand or post, they stay put, and do not swing back. Doug Millholland Bob’s saddles are not highly sought after as he is not a current big name trainer, so you can get one reasonable. Equine Oasis, who is a reining show tack vendor, often has them used, or also has saddles custom built. Call is best , website not current 303-841-6770
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