Dressage saddle for dressage newbie

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m1stify

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I am pretty new to dressage and only have competed at prelim level and probably will remain at that level but I want to improve my horses way of going and also my own riding! So after getting some money for xmas I have decided to get a dressage saddle. Now my budget is around £500 so I am looking at a new synthetic or a 2nd hand leather. My main question is, being a novice dressage rider should I be getting a saddle that puts you in a better position or one that makes you do the work yourself :)
And which saddles put you in a "proper" position, the only one I know of is the isabell werth. Which is a possibility. But I have been mainly looking at throwogood t4/t8, tekna or wintec (500/isabell). I have also spotted an ideal jessica on ebay that I like the look of.
Would be great if you could point me in the right direction, I don't know much about dressage saddles!!
 
Your best bet is to get a local saddler out who has a good stock of both synthetic and second hand leather saddles and who knows what your budget is.

It's not advisable to buy via ebay as the saddle needs to fit both you and your horse.

That said, if you can't find what you want locally, you can use saddles direct who have a fantastic stock and you can get them fitted.

If you are lucky enough to find more than one saddle that fits and is within your budget, then get the best you can - i.e. leather.
 
Oh yes take it as given that saddle will be fitted to my horse properly even if bought on eBay.
My question really is which dressage saddles put you in a good position. And would you recommend such a saddle for a dressage newbie. Thanks.
 
Well it will depend on your body shape, leg length, how deep you want the seat etc as to what puts you in a good position. What suits you may not suit me and vice versa. Also different models within brands will do different things.

I personally like prestige saddles but not sure if you would get a second hand one within your budget. Even with prestige, some suit me and some don't

You should go to a good saddler and try a few out. If you buy from ebay you are taking a big risk that the saddle won't fit you or your horse even after saddler adjustment.
 
Can anyone help?

Which of the following saddes would be best for rider position for someone new to dressage?

ideal jessica
ideal suzannah
tekna s line
wintec 500
thorowgood t4/t8
wintec isabell

thankies :D
 
I like my frank baines dressage saddle, picked that up second hand for not a lot of money. I hack, jump, have hunted and show at county level in it.

As above though, you really have to see what fits your horse, and also what suits you as a rider. Depends on your build etc. you may prefer to be held in or have more freedom, there is no right and wrong as such.
 
m1stify said:
Can anyone help?

Which of the following saddes would be best for rider position for someone new to dressage?

ideal jessica
ideal suzannah
tekna s line
wintec 500
thorowgood t4/t8
wintec isabell

thankies :D
Click to expand...

As Wheels said... it'll depend very much on you! I'm fairly small, with a narrow pelvis & I'm a size 6/8, average-long legs, probably more length in my thigh. I hate overly blocky saddles & quite like having a velcro knee roll to change on a day to day basis as my joints often hurt, so I like to have a bit more freedom or 'hold' some days. So I can guarantee some of those saddles I would hate, and some I would like, maybe one would stand out over the rest. I don't think it's about the saddle being good for a 'beginner' at something - the saddle which is most comfortable & fits you WILL be the best for you, regardless :) Then you just have to hope that the one you like fits your horse... I've sat in a few saddles I liked that my horse hated!
 
I managed to buy an Albion from a saddler on eBay for £500 it was immaculate I don't think it's ever been ridden in. Like you was new to dressage as always sj, I knew Albion fitted me and the horse as his current jump saddle is Albion so was easy, had my saddler out to check it and it was a perfect fit, probably better than his jump if I'm honest! My advise would be try and get a better quality leather second hand rather than synthetic. Have you looked at Kent and masters? There leather and new I think there only around £600-700
 
Thanks for the replies! Forgot to add that I broke my pelvis 3 yrs ago so tbh I think maybe a saddle that forces me into position might be painful. I basically broke my seat bones :) current GP is comfy but I need a seat saver for long hack
 
I know someone who is selling a secondhand Heather Moffett dressage saddle at the min, one thing they definitely are is super squishy & not blocky... but not the sort you swim in either. I have a 17" when really I could probably do 16" without a prob, but they don't make a 16" vogue. They're a bit wider through the twist than some saddles, but for a person who hates sitting on anything wide, I've not had a problem (maybe because it's not hard, doesn't dig in!! :o ) :confused: Think it's very much down to taste though, and obviously still whether your horse likes it. I'm very glad Dan loves his :)
 
My secondhand favourite is the Albion Legend. Very comfy and immediately puts you in a nice cenntral position without restricting you. Some of the older models had suede seats which are very comfy.

Second choice would be an Ideal.

I'm not keen on synthetic as they do not soften to your shape like leather does.

If your current saddle is comfortable perhaps you could try and find a dressage version made by the same company.
 
Can you find a good saddle fitter who covers your area who can bring some out for you to try? I know it's not the cheapest route, but it can save costly mistakes and returns and as every one has said - we're all different in what we like, and all horses are different as well, so a recommendation that might work for you won't necessarily fit your horse. Even adjustable saddles don't fit everything, there are so many more variables to saddle fit than headplate width.
 
Unfortunately my nearest saddler dosent have a lot of dressage saddles! Over the phone she said a thorowgood would not fit my mare (connie X). This is without ever seeing her! And tried to point me towards a new Wintec isabell. As she would have to order the thorowgood specially I would have to take it fit or not. A good friend is a saddle fitter but not a dealer so can help me choose a good fit. The best place to go us four hours away which is where I will go if I have no other option :)
 
As per my first post - try Saddles Direct so you can get the saddles in then your own saddler can see if they fit - you can chat to them about your size, that of your pony and what you think would be best and they can give you advice.
 
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