Thinking about western dressage. Need saddle suggestions

[lorilu]

I have a cute Lusitano, a rather small guy, more rangy than round, with a slight roach over his loins. Yep. I’d like to explore western dressage with him, and some trail riding (although I can do that in my dressage saddle).

I have been riding in a dressage saddle that has a forward balance - definitely does not put you back on your pockets at all. The deepest part of the seat is towards the pommel. Stirrup bars are under the seat, not out in front. He likes it. I like it.

I have borrowed a few western saddles from the local consignment store, and he did not like either of them. Ears back, short stride… and to tell the truth I did not like them either. One was a Circle Y the other a Tucker gen II. Both had rather flat seats, but when riding I felt as if my legs were out in front of me and I was on the back of my seatbones.

I find all the various western saddle styles confusing - and yes I have read the websites and links in the other western saddle thread below. It seems no one discusses stirrup placement or how your pelvis “sits” on the seat.

Any suggestions welcome. (Surely there is something out there besides all the au courant “Western Dressage” saddles? )

thx,
Loretta

[Tee]

I ride in a Crates reiner and love it. I’m limited by a horse with a super short back, and it fits him great. I love working in it, tho I will admit it’s a killer to take on trail rides.

[aktill]

It’s tough to give too many recommendations, since personal style preferences and your own conformation will determine what seat shape and stirrup placement work best.

Are you willing/able to go custom? That’s the easiest route, though the most expensive.

[js]

I have no brand suggestions other than to make sure it isn’t too long, try smaller rounded skirts and try saddles that are lighter weight and the sadde is wide enough or not too wide. You will find info about fender placement but you’ll need to look at some of the custom web sites, it is addressed just not as much as with English. I prefer to ride barrel racing saddles mostly because they are light weight and most have fenders that swing fairly freely.

[Zipsmom]

Lynn Palm is having Harris leather make her design. http://www.shoplynnpalm.com/product47.html

That would be a saddle that would last forever (drool).

I second that a reining saddle might work.

[aktill]

Only problem is that modern reining saddles are often ridiculously long, so that might be an issue.

These look great, and have been getting amazing reviews. Not cheap though: http://www.mcgowansaddlery.com/Saddles.html

[MidnightWriter]

I would look at reining saddles. Some of them are close contact styles. And they have only one cinch. You definitely don’t need two cinches for dressage!

A question about the Circle Y you tried – did it have two cinches? That alone could blow the mind of horse not used to western saddles. As could the huge square skirts of some western styles (skirts on a western saddle are not the same part as on an English saddle, BTW ). I don’t know the Tucker model you mentioned but I don’t like Tucker saddles in general. Some of them have weird girthing systems that might feel as weird to a horse as they look to me and some of my friends.

A friend of mine who did western dressage used a Big Horn synthetic that was very lightweight (ca 15-16 lbs.) and had round skirts. It might not have been comfortable for long trail rides, but it was fine for dressage and hacking.

I would look at horsesaddleshop.com, which has used as well as new saddles. I would also find a website that does saddle fitting and do a tracing of your horse’s back and see if you can find a local tack shop that can help you.

What do the Lusitano/Andalusian/etc. breed websites say about saddles and fitting?

I know this reining saddle has huge skirts,

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/closecontactreiner.html#.VuwDIFsrLnA

but it might put you in a more comfortable, centered position than one with a seat llike this:

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/sbs-saddlery-reiner.html#.VuwDhFsrLnA

If you like a high cantle you might like a barrel saddle:

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/american-saddlery-barrel-saddle-usam3139.html#.VuwD2lsrLnA

I have a friend who does both dressage and barrel racing with her QH, one weekend at a dressage show, another weekend barrel racing! I am assuming the same saddle for both.

The problem is, no one seems to be making western dressage saddles yet.

This is what a friend of mine had:

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/151617bighor.html#.VuwEKFsrLnA

[js]

Circle Y makes a western dressage saddle, go to there web site and use there search type in dressage. I have not seen one in person or know anyone that rides one but worth a look.

[Bluey]

I will only say, I too don’t like western saddles, but have to ride in them at times, so make do.

Now, your horse is different, he has to like whatever one you use.

I agree with whoever said what may fit depends on the horse, which kind of back it has, so keep trying saddles.

Some reining saddles are made for more all around, working cowhorse type.
Those tend to fit more types of horses also.
Other than watching that the horn is not too tall, that is one more kind that could possibly accommodate western dressage riders.

As for seat size, if you are reining, you want a bigger seat, but otherwise, for regular riding and training, the more snug seat tends to feel better, not seat you so far back there, feet in front.
My reining saddle tends to do that a bit, don’t like it, but when it gets fast, it helps to not be stuck in one spot, but be able to slide a bit in the saddle and have room to stand up a bit off the horse’s back with ease and right back in there.
Some cutters also prefer a longer seat for the same reason, but ranch work, you want to be more stuck in one place in there, similar to how we ride in dressage.

[aktill]

[QUOTE=js;8581069]
Circle Y makes a western dressage saddle, go to there web site and use there search type in dressage. I have not seen one in person or know anyone that rides one but worth a look.[/QUOTE]

True, but let’s say it’s only going to appeal to a narrow group:
http://www.circley.com/product-category/saddles-new-2014/western-dressage/

[Palm_Beach]

There is such a huge variety in Western saddles that just because a horse did not like one saddle does not mean it will hate all Western saddles. The tree is most important - if it’s not right for the horse, the horse will not be comfortable. For the most part, Western saddles are built for stock type breeds, although there are deviations such as Arab trees, gaited horse trees, draft, etc. And you can get some trees in narrow widths.

The poster who recommended horsesaddleshop.com is correct - they have a huge selection and the staff is wonderful. I use their templates to get a reading on the width I need, and I really prefer the Circle Y Flex2 trees. For wd, I’d absolutely stay away from trail saddles - I find the upright cantle restricting, although they are awesome if you are going down the trail for hours at a time. OP will want some kind of performance saddle.

[lorilu]

Thanks all. Horse was ridden western when I bought him. Big, ranch-style saddle; worked cows, trails, obstacles. He was so back sore he almost failed the vetting for lameness! He had apparently been to a “dressage” trainer years ago who completely soured him on contact - so he was ridden very Californio style, big bit/no contact. He is VERY seat trained. While I got him primarily for trails, I am a dressage rider, and would like to experiment… We are working on the contact issue, making some headway. Finding a western saddle that suits us both would be nice.

And those western dressage saddles? Wow, ugly. I don’t need big external thigh blocks for my big mover - why would I need them for a western dressage horse???

Will look into the suggested link. And I visited another tack store today and sat in some performance saddles (A Julie Nighthorse); quite nice, but even though it has “round” skirts they are still pretty big.

[RPM]

Wow, that Circle Y “dressage” saddle is ugLEE. It looks like somebody took a not very attractive barrel saddle, put a big block on it, and called it a dressage saddle. It is almost the opposite of what I want in a western dressage saddle.

I know the last thing you need is another recommendation from a complete stranger, but …

Check this website out:

http://www.westerndressageridinggear.com/saddles.html

I can’t see the stirrups on this saddle but it looks to me like it would put you in a good dressage position:

http://www.westerndressageridinggear.com/harmony-western-dressage-saddle1.html

I’m suspicious of the fact that they don’t show the rigging or the stirrups, and I have never heard of that brand, but the seat and fenders look like they might work.

You might also check out the Western Dressage Association to see if they recommend a certain type of saddle and to see what saddles other western dressage riders are using (also watch YouTube western dressage videos for ideas). –

http://www.westerndressageassociation.org/

[js]

@aktill;8581205

True, but let’s say it’s only going to appeal to a narrow group:
http://www.circley.com/product-category/saddles-new-2014/western-dressage/[/QUOTE]

My post was only a reply to MidnightWriter’s post. I had no comment on form or function. I personally ride a Cactus Saddlery barrel racing saddle.

[QUOTE=MidnightWriter;8580883]…The problem is, no one seems to be making western dressage saddles yet. …

[Lilykoi]

I have a dressage saddle and a Western dressage saddle, both made by Mike Corcoran. The Western saddle is super comfy and the seat is very much like my dressage saddle. https://m.facebook.com/Mikecorcorancustomsaddles/

[aktill]

http://www.westerndressageridinggear.com/saddles.html

Ugh, that “tree”. Blech.

http://www.rodnikkel.com/content/saddle-tree-blog-from-shop-and-desk/checking-out-a-flex-tree/

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Lilykoi;8582151]
I have a dressage saddle and a Western dressage saddle, both made by Mike Corcoran. The Western saddle is super comfy and the seat is very much like my dressage saddle. https://m.facebook.com/Mikecorcorancustomsaddles/[/QUOTE]

Those saddles look very nice for a very light western type saddle.

My Bob’s reining saddle is ok, just a bit too large when doing other than reining:

http://www.cowdogsaddles.com/saddles-tn.php

My regular ranch saddle is better, just so much leather around and under you, compared with my trusty, decades old Stubben Rex, there is no comparing them.

I would guess, but it is a mere guess, for western dressage as it is today, most any type western saddle should work, if it fits the horse and rider well.

[Doctracy]

Might also try an equitation saddle.mi don’t like hem as they really glue you in place but at least they don’t put you in a chair seat.
Not sure reining saddles are all long.mthat wouldn’t make much sense since many reiners are essentially large ponies and also have very short backs.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Doctracy;8582240]
Might also try an equitation saddle.mi don’t like hem as they really glue you in place but at least they don’t put you in a chair seat.
Not sure reining saddles are all long.mthat wouldn’t make much sense since many reiners are essentially large ponies and also have very short backs.[/QUOTE]

That is true, reining saddles themselves are not long, I meant reiners and cutters prefer a longer seat for those disciplines, longer than they would generally use for training or most other we do with western saddles.

My reiner is a 16" seat, my ranch saddle 14 1/2".
Both fit well for each intended purpose.

Sorry I was not clear with that.

[js]

When looking instead of addressing stirrup placement, look for fender placement. Western stirrup position is based on where the fender is placed.

Pelvis isn’t discussed like it is in English saddles. You will find that some saddles have a pocket, like barrel saddles that are meant to hold you in place more, while other saddles are flatter in the seat.

When fitting your horse remember to make sure the saddle won’t be too long for it’s back if your horse has a shorter back. Width of the tree, off the rack western saddles usually come in semi-QH bars (narrow), QH Bars (medium) and full QH bars (wide). Those sizes will vary from each manufacturer. Account for much thicker saddle pads when fitting.

My personal preference is for barrel racing saddles, I like the fender placement (though some are placed very forward), they are light weight and I like how they sit. Many western saddles weigh in excess of 30++ lbs, I prefer something under 25 lbs.

Give a lot of consideration on the saddle pad you choose, that can make all the difference in comfort for your horse too.