Dressage saddle comfort

[pistolpete]

Hi all. Hoping I’ve found a new share 16.2 TB. Rode her tonight in her Sue Carson dressage saddle with mahoosive knee blocks. Not ever ridden in a dressage saddle before. Felt weird and not that comfy. Tips please to get more into it? Is it a lot to do with leathers length? Maybe had them a bit short. All comments and advice appreciated. She’s lovely! Want to make it work.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I can’t help but chuffed for you

 

[stangs]

I find that removing knee blocks makes all the difference in terms of comfort.

 

[Britestar]

The problem is probably the knee blocks. Very often far too big to be comfortable.
Does the horse have another saddle you can ride in?

 

[Melody Grey]

I have a couple of sue Carson dressage saddles bought second hand. One had ridiculous knee blocks that were far too large- replaced them with some from a synthetic saddle we have as a spare and infinitely better. Attached by Velcro on both of my saddles, so an easy switch. You can also move them up and down the panels, that might help?

ETA: lovely comfy saddles and wouldn’t be without them!

 

[pistolpete]

The blocks are moveable? I thought they were permanent part of saddle. I guess I’ll get used to it.

 

[Melody Grey]

The blocks are moveable? I thought they were permanent part of saddle. I guess I’ll get used to it.

Mine are, though my saddles are sue Carson harmony models which are older ones. They just Velcro in so I can use any Velcro knee blocks.

Not sure about newer models? Worth checking though and persevering.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Some knee blocks are far too big and uncomfortable. Best bet is to lengthen stirrups and do some no stirrup work to get used to the lower leg position.
Or do they have a gp saddle by any chance ?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Some knee blocks are removable on velcro basically but I don't think the Sue Carson ones are?

Drop your stirrups a few holes will fell better if not.

 

[Cowpony]

Ask if they also have a jumping/GP saddle. A lot of people do if they have a dressage saddle

 

[j1ffy]

Big knee blocks can lock your leg in the 'wrong' position - it's a very personal thing and different lengths of leg / stirrups will need different knee blocks (personally I prefer no block, or a very small one!). Check if they can be removed or if there's another saddle you can use, otherwise it's probably about lengthening your stirrups (and stretching your leg muscles - can take a while!) however if you're doing fast canters out hacking that can be a bit uncomfortable!

Great that you've (hopefully) found a horse

 

[Roxylola]

As a petite person I find big blocks are often in the wrong place for me. In the right saddle they're fine but I'd rather have little/none than them be in the wrong place