Close Contact/Monoflap Saddles

[Kenzo]

I always thought you couldn't use these for everyday riding, but I guess it depends on what people classes as everyday riding so lets say for example flatwork and jumping and the odd hack out twice a week for example.

I have noticed that quite a lot of people do use them on a regular basis but when I asked about this I was told that it would be fine to just use this one type of saddle, yet a saddle fitter said they shouldn't be as you spend less time actually in the seat etc.

Anyway I just wondered what everyone elses thoughts were on this, do you use yours all the time? or just if your jumping/jump schooling etc.

 

[Baileyhoss]

I have a single flap ideal patriot - best saddle ever. It used to be my only saddle so I schooled, hacked, jumped and did dressage in it.

It wasn't a problem at all, although it didn't really support my leg well when schooling or doing dressage with longer stirrups, so felt better riding a bit shorter, but I managed fine. I have recently treated myself to a dressage saddle, but only cause a really good one came up super cheap, not totally out of necessity.

f x

ETS - low level dressage - up to novice unaffiliated.

 

[sare_bear]

I asked my saddle fitter when buying a new saddle. She said that as long as it fitted the horse well should not be a problem. However, didnt like it when I rode in one and found the stirrup buckles really prominent under my leg.

 

[picolenicole]

I worked for a saddle fitter (sue carson) for 2 years and most if not all her saddles are single flap, and that never did my horse any harm at all. Plus there are people with signle flaps that have had that saddle for 5 years and over that use nothing else.
If you ask me i think they are much better than double flap. Also some saddle fitters will "mess" with your head to make doubt yourself and the saddle your happy in. If you and your horse are happy in the saddle then i would keep using it.

Hope this helps

 

[Persephone]

I use mine far more often than my dressage saddle. We haven't had any problems so far.

 

[Kenzo]

Right yes I see what you mean, initially I thought well if a saddle fits well, no matter what it is, then why does it matter how often you use it providing its not interferring with the horse or your riding (so if you feel comfortable schooling in a jump saddle then where is the harm kinda thing), but then others will say you use a 2 point seat more in CC jumping saddle for example, so at the same time I can also see there point.

But if a rider has a good seat and there not hammering up and down all the time or say needing nice deep seat dressage saddle for when there doing more sitting trot work etc then I presume it would be ok, but didnt want to just presume.

 

[KatB]

Its nothing to do with the fact it is single flapped, or how long you stay in the saddle for

Its to do with the fact true close contact saddles are latexed panels, which are thinner and have less surface area than a wool flocked "normal" saddle. The Patriots are a good inbetweeny as they are single flapped but have nice wide wool panels, so have the properties of a normal saddle. The latexed panelled saddles are supposedly not as good for the horses back because they have a smaller surface area so = more pressure in a small area. Also, the stirrup bars are recessed, and in some CC saddles can be felt through the panels, so = more pressure

However, I used a barnsby Xtreem (about as close contact as they get!) for a majority of the time on Goddy and he actually went better in it than any other type of saddle. My mare also gets ridden in it, but with a prolite pad at the moment as it is a bit wide for her until she fills out. I have no issues with them aslong as they fit, and are well made.

 

[millitiger]

i use a pessoa on 2 of mine as the regular saddle and do 90% of the work in it, including long hacks and flatwork with sitting trot etc.

some back people are adverse to them but mine is happy with me to use it and said my horses had good strong, healthy backs and it wasn't doing them any harm at all-
as he has sorted my eventer out so well where many back specialists failed i will trust him regarding my saddles!