Different saddle, would it make this much difference?!

[mbbillz]

Just a new saddle/new horse question ... Don't berate me but when I first got my new horse I stupidly fell into the trap of new horse/no saddle = excited/desperate to ride = buy the first saddle that worked and was affordable! We ended up with an Equipe dressage which at the time felt fine, horse went well in the session with the saddle fitter and that was that... stupidly I didn't try any others as he didn't have a great selection and it was the only one he had that I could afford, so I just settled for it.

Fast forward a month or so and something doesn't quite work right, my gut tells me the saddle is a bit too wide - it slips back and down after cantering. The fitter advised I use a half pad until he fills out (youngster), and it does seem to solve the slipping problem. Anyway, whilst waiting for a second opinion (saddle fitters are apparently gold dust around here!), I continued as normal, having lessons etc and my horse has definitely (seemingly) been improving and generally happy, however...

Today I managed to trial a different dressage saddle with a second opinion fitter, and it was like riding a different horse! He was instantly off my leg, and he felt much more bouncy, elevated and light in my hand. I actually had moments where it caught me off guard and I nearly got bounced right out of the saddle lol. Usually (or so I thought!!) he is a bit lazy/flat, which is what he was like when I tried him (he was in a jumping saddle when I tried him) and so I thought that was just his "normal". Don't get me wrong I am not complaining about this new forwardness at all, it just surprised me!

He literally just wanted to go, go, go, but in a good way, it's as if I suddenly had a lot more energy and power at my disposal (felt quite amazing really)... it got me thinking, can a saddle make this much difference?! I'm hoping it's a good thing?! I have the saddle to trial for a few more days before making a decision...

 

[Equi]

Comfort is everything. My share/loan horse came with a saddle that was too narrow. He was backward and always flinging his head down. I told the boss lady I wouldn’t use it again so either I was dropping the share or going to have to find a new saddle and she let me use her wider saddle. I found a new gear in the horse and his muscle blew up. When I bought him I bought a saddle I knew could be adjusted because he still had a ways to go with muscle and weight and I’m very glad I did because it’s been adjusted three times ?

 

[mbbillz]

Comfort is everything. My share/loan horse came with a saddle that was too narrow. He was backward and always flinging his head down. I told the boss lady I wouldn’t use it again so either I was dropping the share or going to have to find a new saddle and she let me use her wider saddle. I found a new gear in the horse and his muscle blew up. When I bought him I bought a saddle I knew could be adjusted because he still had a ways to go with muscle and weight and I’m very glad I did because it’s been adjusted three times ?

"Finding a new gear" is a great way to describe how it felt actually, I like that! Good point re. adjustability too - this new one is also adjustable and flocked which I'm thinking will be better long term but the Equipe isn't as they're foam filled.

 

[shortstuff99]

Yes, saddles can make all the difference in the world! Any athlete isn't going to want to perform in ill fitting equipment. Glad you've got one that fits now.

 

[mbbillz]

Yes, saddles can make all the difference in the world! Any athlete isn't going to want to perform in ill fitting equipment. Glad you've got one that fits now.

True! I just didn't realise it could be quite so drastic . Fingers crossed for this new one!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Yes definitely saddles have to be comfortable and fit, some horses feel like they permanently have the hand brake on and I think a lot of it is due to saddle fit I know instantly when my horses saddles are not right, I unfortunately learnt the hard way my horse had muscle damage from a too tight saddle, but I constantly look at the fit and feel of there saddles and I don't ever comprise it.

 

[Lois Lame]

Yes, saddles can make all the difference in the world! Any athlete isn't going to want to perform in ill fitting equipment. Glad you've got one that fits now.

Yes.
Think of it like a pair of shoes that you are running in or walking briskly in.

 

[vmac66]

Change of saddle can make a huge difference. My mare started refusing to go into trot, I felt she would buck if I pushed her. Turned out the saddle was too wide and digging in at the front. Change of saddle and she is going into trot fairly happily and is improving every time I school.

 

[chocolategirl]

Just a new saddle/new horse question ... Don't berate me but when I first got my new horse I stupidly fell into the trap of new horse/no saddle = excited/desperate to ride = buy the first saddle that worked and was affordable! We ended up with an Equipe dressage which at the time felt fine, horse went well in the session with the saddle fitter and that was that... stupidly I didn't try any others as he didn't have a great selection and it was the only one he had that I could afford, so I just settled for it.

Fast forward a month or so and something doesn't quite work right, my gut tells me the saddle is a bit too wide - it slips back and down after cantering. The fitter advised I use a half pad until he fills out (youngster), and it does seem to solve the slipping problem. Anyway, whilst waiting for a second opinion (saddle fitters are apparently gold dust around here!), I continued as normal, having lessons etc and my horse has definitely (seemingly) been improving and generally happy, however...

Today I managed to trial a different dressage saddle with a second opinion fitter, and it was like riding a different horse! He was instantly off my leg, and he felt much more bouncy, elevated and light in my hand. I actually had moments where it caught me off guard and I nearly got bounced right out of the saddle lol. Usually (or so I thought!!) he is a bit lazy/flat, which is what he was like when I tried him (he was in a jumping saddle when I tried him) and so I thought that was just his "normal". Don't get me wrong I am not complaining about this new forwardness at all, it just surprised me!

He literally just wanted to go, go, go, but in a good way, it's as if I suddenly had a lot more energy and power at my disposal (felt quite amazing really)... it got me thinking, can a saddle make this much difference?! I'm hoping it's a good thing?! I have the saddle to trial for a few more days before making a decision...

Yes! Is the answer. It’s like an ill fitting pair of shoes, for a while you can ‘put up with them’, but it’s never too long before you just don’t want to walk far in them. Horses are often very good at putting up with some discomfort and even pain, but this is proof that when they’re completely comfortable, they can perform at their very best. It always astonishes me that on the livery yard I run, I’ve got clients who have literally never had their saddles checked in years?‍ Poor horses, you can always tell the ones it is too by the way they go ?

 

[Scarlett]

Remember the saddle has to not just got the horse but you too. Sometimes the big, unexpected improvements we feel with new saddles are related to us, and not just the horse.

I found a positive difference when I moved to my Equipe dressage saddle. Its not that it fits my horses so much better but also that it fits me much better and allows me to sit in a much nicer way. I enjoy riding in my dressage saddle now after years of torture!

 

[Scotsbadboy]

When i viewed the new horse i refused to ask him to trot in the arena (i did out on the hack in a straight line) because the saddle was a traditional fit and too tight. On the second viewing i took some Balance pads and my Balance Equinox saddle ... the difference OMG!

I've had this saddle a while now and when i first got it, it went on the two horses i had at the time and i genuinely felt like a newbie bouncing about in the saddle, especially with my gelding, who i'd had the longest and new inside out, because his action and bounce was off the scales, i couldnt rise to this newly found freedom he had through his back and shoulders, lol! Seeing/ feeling a horse when they first get to 'open' up under saddle is amazing and i'll never go back to the traditional saddle and method of fitting them!

 

[sbloom]

Yes, it can make even more difference than that. Otherwise I'd not have a job . I will warn that a horse liking a saddle is generally a good sign (but not always, especially if there is damage) but the fitter should obviously be fitting not just to the horses opinion. I heard a horror story from a fellow fitter yesterday where she went to a training course for a remedial type brand and when they went to a riding school the only thing that mattered was how well the horse went, stability, contact points etc weren't even considered. It's why ultimately you need some knowledge yourself and to trust your fitter, be happy to work with them long term and get answers that make sense to any questions you have. Recommendation is always the best way to find one.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Yes, the saddle has to fit properly. My Draft mare (who was on a diet from the moment I bought her) went through 4 saddles in 5 years because she kept telling me that the one she was wearing this month didn't fit any more. We went for treeless in the end.