Western saddle for Western Dressage?

[S1969]

OK, so long as we’re talking about it!

I have ridden in a western saddle only a few times in my life. I found them really big and bulky and I couldn’t really feel the horse with my legs. (Admittedly, they were probably waaay too big for me, and who knows what type of saddle they were)…but I hated them.

I know there are different types of western saddles, and probably different styles within each type…and then different construction based on the shape of your horse (I think).

What type of western saddle would you recommend for someone that rides English but might like to try Western Dressage? I would want one that gave maximum feel between me and the horse, and I won’t be roping, sliding, cutting, or spinning in it.

My trainer rides western, so I am obviously going to talk to her about this as well. But, being the dead of winter…I’m just looking online for ideas until we can think about riding again. (I keep my horses at home, and generally take the winter off.)

[sorrelfilly721]

I ride dressage and I bought a Circle Y Flex Tree Barrel racing saddle. It’s about the same weight as my dressage saddle and although the fenders are more leather than my dressage saddle, it’s about the least intrusive saddle I could find. Plus it fits everything I put it on.

[Ozzerati]

A Mike Corcoran Western Dressage saddle is EXACTLY what you need. I had the same complaints about western saddles—big, bulky and threw my leg way out in front of me, so I was always fighting to keep correct position. Not anymore. Mike’s saddles are light, well-built and well-balanced, and feel just about as close to a dressage saddle as you can get. Leather is cutout under your leg, and the fenders are free-swinging. Your leg hangs correctly and they’re so comfortable. I won’t go back. Mike is both a traditional dressage rider and real-life cowboy, and he competed in both traditional and Western dressage. He’s well known for his dressage saddles, and his WD saddles are quickly gaining popularity as more people hear about them. They’re awesome.

[Flash44]

Ditto sorrelfilly, unless you are committed to dropping a couple thousand dollars on one of Mike’s custom saddles. The most important thing is getting a tree that fits the horse and a seat style that is good for you, and fits you well. I’ve ordered 5 Circle Y saddles from horsesaddleshop and find their prices fantastic and customer service top notch. You can download a template to see what type of tree fits your horse well, and they are great about making recommendations.

The Circle Y Flex Tree saddles are really great - I currently ride in a Monarch Arena Performance and a xwide tree Cottonwood Trail saddle. Thought I would hate the trail saddle when I first sat in it, but I LOVE it and the tree is the best fit ever on my very wide small mare - she moves so freely through the shoulder it’s amazing. I would love to do WD with this mare, but not sure if I will have time.

Love my Monarch Arena Performance saddle as well - totally comfy right out of the box and very easy to ride correctly in it.

[CHT]

I have a simple Alamo saddle for Izzy. I chose it because the fenders/stirrups hang in the same place as my dressage stirrups so I can keep a proper hip/heel alignment. It also fit my seat well, and had enough room to allow me to post (an issue for taller riders).

[S1969]

[QUOTE=Flash44;7948852]
Ditto sorrelfilly, unless you are committed to dropping a couple thousand dollars on one of Mike’s custom saddles. The most important thing is getting a tree that fits the horse and a seat style that is good for you, and fits you well. I’ve ordered 5 Circle Y saddles from horsesaddleshop and find their prices fantastic and customer service top notch. You can download a template to see what type of tree fits your horse well, and they are great about making recommendations.

Love my Monarch Arena Performance saddle as well - totally comfy right out of the box and very easy to ride correctly in it.[/QUOTE]

Thanks everyone! No, I’m not ready to drop big $ on a custom saddle yet. Would be fun, but can’t justify anything like that - not only have I never tried it, but I don’t even know if I could find a WD show anywhere near here.

I’ll look at Circle Y and Monarch online to see what they look like. I will definitely have my trainer help me figure out how to fit to my horse and me…but in the meantime I’ll start looking.

@CHT;7948907

It also fit my seat well, and had enough room to allow me to post (an issue for taller riders).

Well, that won’t be a problem. I’m 5’1". I will look into Alamo as well.

She’s wide, but not very “big” (which you can probably guess from this picture since I’m not very big either). Just want to make sure I get something that won’t interfere since she’s kind of short through the back.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/308788_4468131313095_1545383874_n.jpg?oh=5e1ba0cfe169b7345c350f276ec82944&oe=556F6159&gda=1429384082_154ac88bd588aa503e19fcca04f371b1

[beau159]

Do you have a tack store near you? Honestly, the best thing is to try a bunch of saddles on your horse (to see what fits and what doesn’t) and also ride in a bunch so you can see what’s comfortable to you and what’s not.

[Flash44]

[QUOTE=S1969;7948979]

Well, that won’t be a problem. I’m 5’1". [/QUOTE]

Your horse is SO cute!!! I’m 5’0, and I got two saddles with custom shorter fenders for myself. Alas, you can’t send them back if they don’t fit if you get the custom fenders, but I was pretty sure of the fit before I ordered them. The gullet templates from horsesaddleshop worked great for me.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=beau159;7951519]
Do you have a tack store near you? Honestly, the best thing is to try a bunch of saddles on your horse (to see what fits and what doesn’t) and also ride in a bunch so you can see what’s comfortable to you and what’s not.[/QUOTE]

I do have a good western tack store near me that also deals a lot of used saddles, but I definitely want to narrow my search down before just bringing saddles back home to try. I am totally ignorant about them so I need to get up to speed a little, I think. I don’t know the difference between saddle types yet, so I can’t be trusted to go into a tack store and choose wisely. But when I’m ready - I’ll go there. I know I’ll be able to take some on trial.

@Flash44;7952000

Your horse is SO cute!!! I’m 5’0, and I got two saddles with custom shorter fenders for myself. Alas, you can’t send them back if they don’t fit if you get the custom fenders, but I was pretty sure of the fit before I ordered them. The gullet templates from horsesaddleshop worked great for me.

Thanks - I think she’s cute too. I had her at a 4H show once (for my kids) and was told she was “almost” perfect - she just needed a western saddle. LOL. She was started western so I’ll be the one with the learning curve, not her. Although not ready to learn to neck rein yet anyway. I am hoping I don’t need a custom saddle - yet.

[js]

Some western saddle can weigh upwards of 30 lbs so while you are checking them out for fit be sure to lift them and see what they weigh v/s how much you are comfortable lifting up on a horse. Personally I like riding a barrel racing saddle, they usually weigh less and have fenders that swing freely so you are able to move your legs as needed; however, many have a “pocket” to sit in that keeps you in one place. Circle Y makes a couple that weigh 21 lbs, and have the flex tree, new you are looking at $1,600 +/-. Alamo saddlery makes one that weighs 18 lbs, new $1,200. I have to old Circle Y’s that have held up well to many years of riding. There isn’t much choice in western saddles, even custom, they either have a Semi, QH or Full QH bars, some can have a flaired front to accommodate shoulders and some have flex trees, all of those options are available off the rack not just custom. There are several tree free models out there also. Circle Y makes one that looks just like a regular western saddle, others look more like the Bob Marshal style.

[Draftmare]

Have you tried one with butterfly style skirts? It has a cut away under the fenders so that they lay directly against the horse. My Billy Cook had that style and it forever ruined me for trying any other style saddle.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=js;7952884]
Some western saddle can weigh upwards of 30 lbs so while you are checking them out for fit be sure to lift them and see what they weigh v/s how much you are comfortable lifting up on a horse. [/QUOTE]

Yes, I saw a Circle Y barrel racing saddle - “older style” that weighed 31 lbs. Aside from the obvious downside of having to lift a heavy saddle onto my horse, are newer “lighter” barrel saddles so different I should avoid older ones? Here’s the one I was referring to – I really can’t justify $1500+ on a new saddle just for trying out a new discipline – but I’m not against riding in an “older style” saddle if it fits me and my horse. (Don’t mind the size, etc., just looking at styles right now. I’m not sure this would fit me or my horse.)

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/used-circley-barrel-uscy2901.html#.VLWqQsJ0zIU

@Draftmare;7955706

Have you tried one with butterfly style skirts? It has a cut away under the fenders so that they lay directly against the horse. My Billy Cook had that style and it forever ruined me for trying any other style saddle.

I haven’t tried anything yet - just starting to learn before I shop. I will look at butterfly style skirts - thank you!

[myrna]

Circle Y makes a beautiful western dressage saddle.i sat in one and it puts you in the same position as a dressage saddle.It is called “The Dance”

[Obsidian_Fire]

If you can afford to go custom I recommend John Fallis of Wilder, Idaho. It’s the closest thing to a dressage saddle I’ve ever sat in
.
Fenders are free swinging and your legs are under you not out in front. You can also order the fenders further back if need be, and if you’re short like me you can get the length custom sized.

As well as your stirrups (I opt for narrower which is more like an english stirrup).

[S1969]

I’m definitely not going to go custom - I ride English, and have never ridden dressage (yet). My mare is a stocky APHA with a western background, so this is a fun little experiment, but I don’t even know if there would be WD competitions in my area, let alone whether I will like it.

So, my goal is to figure out what kind of used western saddle will best fit my interest in trying western/ western dressage (who knows, maybe I’ll just trail ride?) without spending a fortune. I’m definitely not ready to spend $2K+ yet.

[Flash44]

If you are going to trail ride, you may be more comfortable in a trail saddle than a barrel saddle. I have this saddle and use it for both trail and show and possibly wd in the future: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/monarch-arena-cicle-y-.html

Needed a wider tree for my other horse but couldn’t swing another of the above, so I got this one and love it too!

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/cottonwood-circle-y-saddle.html#.VLZttSujOjc

Although it “looks” like a lot of saddle, I have no problem doing advanced flatwork in them, and feel that both saddles are suitable for western dressage. And I also trail ride for hours and am completely comfortable in these saddles.

[cmdrcltr]

I ride western dressage in a Martin all-around and love it! I find it is easier to be correct than my dressage saddle, which tells me that my dressage saddle doesn’t fit ME as well as it should. I have not had a problem with too much bulk, and easily cue my horse for bend and our beginning lateral work. It is heavy–not as heavy as a roping or cutting saddle, but I’ve gotten used to it. I will agree that it is not always the best for trail riding. It’s great most of the time, but for some reason it does not feel right when we travel a steep downhill slope. I feel like I am unable to sit back as much as I’d like to.

[craz4crtrs]

I ride both English dressage and started Western dressage. My little mare is very catty and quick with a big motor, so I prefer my western saddle for most things. Long story short is my mare was pretty hard to fit both disciplines, but harder western with her big shoulders.

I ride in a Courts Miss Rodeo America all around. Cushy seat, not super expensive and best of all it fits us both. I can’t say enough good things about Courts Saddlery. They are a smaller production shop and American made.

You do not need a special saddle to ride western dressage. A lot of people say a barrel saddle puts your leg forward, not if its a good brand and fits you and your horse.

[Draftmare]

Good advice on lifting the saddle, my mare is just a bit over 16 hands so I made sure that I lifted everything before deciding if I wanted to trial it or not. There was a stunning old rough out cutting saddle that was like sitting on butter and so well broke in. I felt super balanced in it, loved it…until I lifted it up. Comparing to a saddle that we knew weighed 30 pounds we guessed that it probably weighed close to 50 pounds. No way was I hefting that up on to my horse!!

I really liked the Billy Royal and the Billy Cook saddles that I had back when I was showing pleasure. Both put me in a really good position, were well made, not super heavy, and had the butterfly skirt that I mentioned.

I find that Circle Y Dance to be a little weird, and super gemicky. From what I have seen of western dressage you shouldn’t need a special saddle, just one that puts you in the proper alignment and fits you and your horse.

I have found that my big shouldered mare is actually EASIER to fit western, and she seems to actually move better when ridden in the western saddle that I was borrowing last year. I also felt that I could better influence her especially when it came to the lateral work.

[S1969]

Thanks everyone for all the very helpful replies. My mare is not very tall (only 15hh) but I’m not tall either. So, 30lbs will be tough enough to lift that high; 50 would probably be impossible…I’ll remember to test lift everything to make sure it isn’t too heavy.

Hoping to take a “field trip” to the western store in a week or so and sit in a bunch to get some ideas of how they feel to me. Sending my training an email just to let her know as well - we’re not riding now (no indoor, no motivation in this cold, either!) but she might even have something for me to borrow before buying…or might have suggestions because she has worked with my mare a lot as well.

I probably won’t really do a lot of trail riding in this saddle, mostly arena work (because I’m a big weenie and my horse hasn’t ridden on trails in…who knows, maybe ever?) Definitely starting in the arena and going from there.