Do dressage saddles make a difference ?

[Haha123]

Do dressage saddles make a difference ? Is it worth investing in one?

 

[Cob Life]

I love my instructors dressage saddle, my position is better but the gp saddle I ride in isn’t fitted to me so that may be why

 

[blitznbobs]

It depends … i think they take some getting used to but i ride almost exclusively in a dressage saddle these days and feel insecure in anything else

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I prefer a dressage saddle over anything else these days I used to like show saddles but they don't give me that same secure feeling like a dressage saddle.

 

[Lois Lame]

I love my dressage saddle, but I am sure I would dislike a lot of dressage saddles out there on the market.

 

[sbloom]

It will differ foe everyone but the right dressage saddle can make a significant difference. However, an awful lot of dressage saddles replace the correct fit for pelvis and hip conformation with big blocks and deep seat - these can easily cause tension in the rider which impedes a good natural seat, and places a lot of leverage on the horse's back. The right saddle doesn't need either of these things to sit you correctly and let you ride in balance and effectively.

 

[mariew]

It's been a while since I have sat in one. I do like a dressage saddle but not one with massive blocks that lock your legs into place. I don't like the feeling of being clamped in a vice!

 

[chaps89]

I would rather ride in the thorowgood jump saddle than the posh dressage saddle my share horse has ? I just don’t seem to sit right in it somehow, my legs feel a bit pushed forwards and it often seems to put me in a way that hurts my lady area ?
So I suspect it comes down to how the saddle fits the rider as much as the horse!

 

[Birker2020]

Do dressage saddles make a difference ? Is it worth investing in one?

I got to unaffiliated elementary level in a Jefferies Falcon Event saddle although I always wanted a dressage saddle.

But when I was fortunate enough to own one I didn't use it much because it really hurt my back riding in it. I suspect they make you sit up straighter and I was probably not doing so in the event saddle.

 

[planete]

A dressage saddle which allows you to sit correctly is great, one that forces you not so much.

 

[LegOn]

The right dressage saddle for you & the horse can be great for both - one that frees up a horses shoulder feels great and where you can feel and use your weight aids better and more naturally is a lovely feeling!

I've always loved having a dressage saddle despite not competing dressage much (or at all at the mo!) but then again I feel the same about a nice showing saddle aswell - I have one that is so neutral you sit quite natural in and my horse always seems to go well in it!

Its nice to have the option!

 

[onemoretime]

I love my Andrea Hicks Affinity dressage saddle. No big knee or thigh rolls just a lovely comfortable saddle that fits my horse perfectly.

 

[Andie02]

I haven't done dressage since Pony Club Team Eventing days which was over 50 yrs ago, I don't recall there being actual dressage saddles about then. In those days and afterwards it was GP saddles and show saddles that I used mainly, except when I worked in racing. Photos of many dressage saddles these days look so uncomfortable and with very little ' bum' room, they look to me like they would be tipping the rider forwards, and even smacking them up the bum. The older style 'showing' saddles were generally close contact fitting and much flatter seats, none of the knee rolls and thigh rolls of today.
A couple of years or so ago I saw where someone had designed, made and advertised a saddle specifically for short backed cobs and the 'larger rider', not even designed as a dressage saddle. There was no way a 'large arris' could have fitted in that saddle, there was nowhere near enough bum and leg room.
How things have changed over the years.

 

[Mahoganybay]

I’ve tried to buy a Dressage saddle with my current and previous horse with absolutely rotten luck.

Previous horse was a big shouldered IDx, I have an excellent saddler and we literally tried tons and tons of dressage saddle. Opting in the end for a brand new made to measure Harry Dabbs Elegant. Unfortunately didn’t even get chance to sit in it before I lost him ??

Then, tried with my WB mare! Again fairly big shoulder and long back. Tried tons and settled on an Albion Platinum Ultima. In the time I had it, the head plate was changed twice, flocking replaced, point strap added, used and then not used. She changed shape that much, it was either moving side to side or slipping forward.

Sold that, and tried tons more. Bought an Amerigo Cervia. Fitted my mare lovely, but didn’t fit me too well. Tried to make do, but ended up selling it on.

I am now riding my WB in a Thorowgood T8 Cob GP saddle, love how the width can be altered with her ever changing shape. Feel secure and comfy in it and can do a decent dressage test without feeling ‘dressage saddle’ inadequate ??

I am destined to be a GP kind of girl.

 

[sbloom]

I love my Andrew Hicks Affinity dressage saddle. No big knee or thigh rolls just a lovely comfortable saddle that fits my horse perfectly.

I won't tell Andrea you called her Andrew (God bless autocorrect!)

 

[onemoretime]

I won't tell Andrea you called her Andrew (God bless autocorrect!)

Oh God so sorry, I have altered it now. Yes, blasted auto correct.

 

[sbloom]

Oh God so sorry, I have altered it now. Yes, blasted auto correct.

Don't worry, it made me laugh!

 

[The Irish Draft 2022]

To be honest I think you need to be really into dressage to have a dressage saddle or it could end up getting expensive Because you need 2 saddle with two different girth’s . Some horse can be hard to fit a dressage saddle to .

 

[sbloom]

To be honest I think you need to be really into dressage to have a dressage saddle or it could end up getting expensive Because you need 2 saddle with two different girth’s . Some horse can be hard to fit a dressage saddle to .

Double the number of adjustments, though in many cases travel/consultation may be split. And minimum should be twice a year.

 

[milliepops]

for me it's worth it, i don't like the way most GP or jumping saddles compromise your balance/position for flatwork and these days I feel most secure in a dressage saddle because that's what I usually ride in. I haven't had a horse that jumps for yonks so sold all my jumping kit. I'm perfectly happy to hack in a dressage saddle.

that said i have a GP lined up for my 3yo but it is a Wow so have the option to move the stirrups onto the back bar for a more dressage saddle kinda balance. if the horse is amenable i prefer monoflap saddles anyway so use a short girth all the time.

 

[I'm Dun]

I've got a monoflap jump/event saddle with big blocks that I love for hacking, but I really dont like flat work in it. It puts me in a very secure position to sit spooks etc, but its much, much harder to sit in a dressage seat. I need to sell the current dressage saddle and buy one that does fit, but I hate selling things so keep putting it off!