Saddlebred/Saddleseat people!

[OneGrayPony]

I’m FINALLY going to get to take a saddle seat lesson (yay!) because a saddlebred barn is moving into my area, after years of me just being slightly too far away to make it a regular thing.

I’m nervous, because I’m out of shape (working on it) and it’s a totally different discipline, but I’m super-excited to try it. What should I know? Luckily I already wear the bootcut style jods to school because I hate boots and half-chaps, but that’s all I’ve got! Should I wear a nice polo like I would for a hunter lesson starting out?

And my horse, who is a well bred but flatter moving saddlebred, I’d love to get him into some training. He’s 6 but hasn’t had the driving training that a lot of the saddle seat youngsters have. Is that something you would do with an “older” horse? He seems a bit immature to me, but that’s just probably because he sat in a field for a few years.

I’ve been longing him because he’s coming out of the field and isn’t in shape, so though he’s broke, I might treat him like a greenie. Right now he’s semi-spooky, so he could probably use that to help him develop some independence, correct? I want to learn to drive anyway, since as I get older it may be the best way for me to stay involved with horses.

I know, that’s a million questions and some generalities but I’m super excited to learn - what are the best resources? Are there forums for saddleseat folks?

[clanter]

when I was in college I worked for a saddlehorse farm, everything young was worked in harness before a saddle was set on the horse

Even our Morgans, we worked in harness as a change from the day-to-day saddle work…they enjoyed the change of routine

my youngest daughter even would hook her German Shepard Dog up to her wagon, having him pull her around the place… he would do so with his tail wagging (she would put a horse halter on his body much like a surcingle them hook a lead to both sides of the halter which were used a tugs connected to her wagon)

[luvmyhackney]

You will be fine in a polo. Don’t worry about a thing, you will be fine. I so miss riding saddleseat, but there isn’t a barn close in NoVa.

Since your horse can be spooky he might not be a candidate for driving, but you never know till you send him to a trainer for a few months to find out.

Have be fun and please come back with an update!

[drmgncolor]

I rode Saddle Seat for about 10 years, but I have been out of that world for many years now. There used to be a forum called Trot, but I don’t think it exists anymore.

I lost my ASB mare about 6 weeks ago. The breed is very dear to my heart.

Have fun and post pictures!

[Bozilla]

I can hear the excitement GrandPrix! Just wear your polo and jods and you’ll be perfect. In contrast to many disciplines that focus on keeping everything low ie: horses head low, hands low etc. saddleseat is up, hands up, head up, your chest and chin up. Lower leg off unless you want to stomp on the gas pedal, and ride off your inner thigh. Saddlebreds are such personable and sweet horses and saddle seat can be quite exciting. I hope you have a great time learning something new.

[abrant]

I started saddle seat lessons in June as something I always wanted to do. I’m 35 and I’m in ok shape. I absolutely love it. I think it has made me a better rider and there is NO thrill like that big trot except maybe the big canter

I wear breeches and paddock boots. Sometimes I cheat and wear full-seat breeches After every lesson my thighs and arms and upper back scream from the equitation changes but it’s actually very nice to be mentally engaged in my equitation rather than going off 25 years of auto pilot

I actually helped my trainer sell a Dutch Harness Horse into the dressage world by taking sport-horsey photos of him. Last night I rode a 5 year old DHH/Saddlebred stallion to see if he was a potential dressage prospect for the same buyers. It’s amazing with the right trainer how things can fit together

[hillary_again]

What is an “equitation change”? Sounds like a great workout!

[luvmyhackney]

You use different muscles then you do in dressage and hunt seat. More thighs and abs.

[scaredycat]

Hello, I have ridden saddleseat for 23 years. Nothing compares to it for me. Just remember to have fun. You’ll want to sit back on the pockets of whatever you decide to wear, you’ll probably feel like you’re leaning too far back, but you’re not. Shoulders back with your heels down and as close to being in line with your shoulders as possible. Your hand placement will be determinded by how high the horses head is. The higher the head the higher your hands will be from the bend at your elbow. Calves are only used to cue, you grip entirely with your knees and thighs. Toes point straight ahead, not outward at all. Check out a few videos of saddleseat equitation, specifically Aleia Brown, Victoria Walz, or Nicole Rodrigez on YouTube, they are some of the best in Saddlebred saddleseat equitation in the last 10 years or so. It’s truly an art form.

[Zu_Zu]

You’re ready !

ENJOY !!!

[TC3200]

There’s a fad in saddleseat now to chairseat the rider in a saddle that’s too long, then set the adjustable stirrup bars all the way back. And have 4" of saddle flap out in front of the rider’s knee. Drives me nuts! Adjustable bars were meant to fine tune the position of the leathers, and help avoid chairseat. I also hate the Shively saddles with a passion. First, they chairseat. Second, they have both a narrow twist and hard edges on a “platform seat.” The seat reminds me of platform shoes, lol. I ride a balanced seat, not chair seat, and I like some drape to my legs because I lack stature. I prefer the L&R “classic” Louisville Buffalo saddles and the Whitman saddles to all of the Shively models, which I would not hit a dog in the patoot with. The Freedman saddles seem to be always trying to hold the rider in place, and I am not sure I like that but they are the best made saddle in saddleseat. I learned to ride on a flat seat Borelli that was pancake flat. You had to know how to ride in order to stay on, haha. The newer saddles seem to only want to seat a rider one way. A saddle like the Borelli or Whitman flat seat has a long flat center that doesn’t restrict the rider. But today’s fad seems to be that contemptible “sit back” chairseat. You may find you want to ride more of a balanced seat. You might want to borrow a few saddles to see which ones feel “natural” to you. Blue Ribbon is a brand I always liked the seatwork of, but their trees are weak.

[luvmyhackney]

@TC3200

There’s a fad in saddleseat now to chairseat the rider in a saddle that’s too long, then set the adjustable stirrup bars all the way back. And have 4" of saddle flap out in front of the rider’s knee. Drives me nuts! Adjustable bars were meant to fine tune the position of the leathers, and help avoid chairseat. I also hate the Shively saddles with a passion. First, they chairseat. Second, they have both a narrow twist and hard edges on a “platform seat.” The seat reminds me of platform shoes, lol. I ride a balanced seat, not chair seat, and I like some drape to my legs because I lack stature. I prefer the L&R “classic” Louisville Buffalo saddles and the Whitman saddles to all of the Shively models, which I would not hit a dog in the patoot with. The Freedman saddles seem to be always trying to hold the rider in place, and I am not sure I like that but they are the best made saddle in saddleseat. I learned to ride on a flat seat Borelli that was pancake flat. You had to know how to ride in order to stay on, haha. The newer saddles seem to only want to seat a rider one way. A saddle like the Borelli or Whitman flat seat has a long flat center that doesn’t restrict the rider. But today’s fad seems to be that contemptible “sit back” chairseat. You may find you want to ride more of a balanced seat. You might want to borrow a few saddles to see which ones feel “natural” to you. Blue Ribbon is a brand I always liked the seatwork of, but their trees are weak.

I hate the narrow twist in a Shively. Still ride in my Whitman from the early 90’s, it has aged beautifully. Plus its slick as crap and you can move in it. I do like the Freedman, except its a bit stickier than I’m used to.

I was watching Lousiville and you are correct, everyone is riding in a chair seat with their elbows flung out to the side. Looks like they are about to take off flying,

[OneGrayPony]

I found a used older Whitman (I think it might actually be from the 90s) with adjustable bars that was from a Morgan farm so I snapped it up, because I’m completely enamored and inspired by the lesson coming up and the show (been watching since the start, trying to learn!)

I think I’m going to love the saddle. I just got rid of my Crosby PDN pancake hunt seat saddle because it really was too smal for me, but I prefer to be in very close contact with my horse. I initially learned to ride bareback because I was too short/weak to get my saddle tight enough on my round mare so that’s how I feel the most secure, with less between me and the horse.

Everything is so different and I love it! The horses are gorgeous and everyone looks like they are having so much fun. I can pretty much pick the 3 gaited winners out but I’m still working on understanding the other divisions, it’s going to take awhile to train my eye. The ponies look like a blast and the roadsters are terrifyingly amazing

I feel almost like when I first got involved with horses 30 years ago because there is so much to learn. Obviously the basic horsemanship is the same, but the bias toward forward and the philosophy of bringing out the brilliance of these horses is all new.

I haven’t gotten to take the lesson yet because of equine logistical complications but I’m psyched.

[ReSomething]

I used to wear a polo and breeches with half chaps when I started but I got KY jods as soon as I was able. They are slick as snot and it’s good practice to wear them all the time so if you decide to show you aren’t completely surprised by the loss of traction.
I’m in such bad shape I doubt I could hang on a trail ride nowadays and I surely would get some work out time in first. Driving is fun and slightly easier. Only slightly. Unfortunately for me I bore easy so I got to hook up the drag and tidy up the arena for the lesson kids. I don’t look pretty but I rarely knocked a cone making figure 8’s and opening up my corners to go down the quarterline to get the whole arena. IIRC one of the competitive combined Driving teams was ASB. they really are a personable and smart horse. My trainer loved her a diva but she had some that were good looking and nice too. Best wishes for a great time for the two of you!

[TC3200]

The slick jodphurs issue is completely due to the fabrics, especially polyester. Back in the day, you could still get wool blend suits and menswear fabrics that stuck to the saddle. Suitability has patterns, and someone who sews could make practice jods from cotton twill or denim. Correct choice of fabric is how people stayed in the saddle before all the goofy layered leather saddles.

[OneGrayPony]

FINALLY had my first two lessons and I’m having a BLAST. The saddle is definitely weird, but it’s actually more comfortable and I really feel the horse underneath me, which I love. I think I’m way more comfortable in my breeches with sticky stuff vs. my knee patch breeches, but I’m still “ok” even if I forget and wear them. My horse is doing terrifically well, he’s in the lines working and apparently my definition of spooky is different than my trainers. She’s been impressed with him all the way around which makes me super happy.

Things that feel different:
Trying to figure out how to post without leaning forward
Trying to keep my calves off the horse
Using a lot of voice commands (oh this is going to take awhile…I have my own voice commands and she wants me to use hers)
How much I can feel of his back…those flexible panels underneath are very different. He seems more comfortable too.

Another big difference is how much “balled up energy” I can feel, which would be definitely not desirable in a hunter (and I’d die if my QH felt like that…literally) but it feels like I’m celebrating it somehow and channeling it into forward, which feels very safe but has taken a bit of time to adjust to. It’s only scary for the first ride, when you’re feeling like “if my normal horse felt like this I’d be about to be launched into the rafters”, but there’s so much to do that the horse isn’t bored to tears (which I think is the cause of a lot of naughty behavior).

My horse is being so well taken care of. We dry him with towels after every work, even if he’s only a little sweaty and he’s groomed to the eyeteeth. I’ve never seen a trainer with so much of an emphasis on proper grooming. She thinks his tail will hit the ground next year, and that he’s going to have a LOT of tail (it’s really thick). He’s working well in the longlines and crupper and he’s just…he’s super.

And there’s some little girl in me that’s about 12 years old at the idea of having such a pretty horse And looking so pretty in the show ring. This is the most fun I’ve had riding in awhile.