Can anybody recommend a dressage saddle?

[Toby_Zaphod]

Don't set your heart on a particular make & model of saddle because you will probably be disappointted. Not all saddles suit every horse so just try several saddles until you find one that suits.

A friend of ours is a dressage rider & wanted to get a new saddle. She'd set her heart on a particular one but when she rode her horse in it he didn't go well, he was flat, it was no good. She tried around 8 different saddles & on trying a particular make he clearly loved it. He was elevated, moved fantastic, was a pleasure to watch. She went on & tried others & then returned to this saddle again. The horse again went brilliantly, so it was proved it was no coincidence. She hasn't bought it yet, it's pretty expensive & to be honest she doesn't like the saddle much, but will be going back next week to try again. The inescapable fact is that the horse goes fantastic in it & so she will end up buying it.

Moral of the story..........................don't set your heart on a particular make or model as it may not be right for your horse.

 

[Arizahn]

I am actually rather scared that she will prove utterly impossible to fit Grrr...so want to be riding! The other liveries go on a group hack on Sundays and Ali and I are left to lunge. She is getting very good with regards to her lungeing, however

 

[sbloom]

No horse is impossible to fit in my experience, but then I've been fitting for "only" three years, but we do fit the trickiest shapes around! The odd time we get into major trouble when the horse needs to take a smaller seat size than is suitable for the rider, but usually we can get around that, even with a regular traditional saddle (ReactorPanel saddles for example are great for this issue).

 

[Zimzim]

I use an Ideal Jessica Dressage saddle for my arab mare, fits her perfectly and is super comfy. I got mine for £450 second hand, worth the money.

You may find that you will need to try several different makes of dresssage saddle before you find the right one

 

[Fairytale]

Arizahn; we are in Hampshire if thats any help!

Fairy

 

[Arizahn]

Northern Ireland, I'm afraid.

 

[Fairytale]

Oh Never mind eh!

 

[bluewhippet]

Sbloom, I am currently trying to find a saddle that will fit my very difficult to fit Arab now and into the future. Have had a look at Saddle Exchange website for Reactor Panel saddles. Would you recommend them? I am in your area - if you had any suggestions would welcome a message - private or otherwise as I am a bit blinded by several different saddlers who all swear by their methods of remedial saddling!

 

[sbloom]

I will state publicly that anyone wanting a ReactorPanel from an agent should call the company in the US before proceeding. I love ReactorPanels but O ao;; say that like any saddle really they are not for every horse and every rider, I have had the Lacrosse dressage (see the US site) for nine years and it's been a great and very versatile saddle, having been on about as many horses as the years I've had it!

I resigned from Saddle Exchange just over a year ago and have chosen to only work with Native Pony/Phoenix.

Will pm you.