dressage saddle, which one?

[Peanot]

Ok, I`m sorry. I know that this question has been asked before but when I seach, I get all sorts of stuff without what I`ve actually asked for.

So I am after a dressage saddle for my 16.3hh warmblood mare. I ride quite long anyway and I want a nice saddle with a nice deep seat that puts you in a good position.
Thanks

 

[CastleMouse]

What's your budget? Albion dressage saddles are lovely

 

[KatB]

Barnsby every time, but obvs depends what fits!! Love the Bates dressage too, but am a bit of a bates fan...

 

[Peanot]

I have the Bates caprilli GP but as I am reading about saddle fitting and stuff, I am wondering if it is the right one for her. It fits nicely and it is comfortable but she hollows sometimes, not a consistent outline, she has started putting the odd stops in when jumping and she isn`t working through from behind properly. We have the chiro/massage lady coming out to us next week but I am not convinced.
I have had this saddle for about 18 months and I love it but she is always tetchy when I groom her back, swishing her tail etc. Thinking of getting someone out to check it, as I have now decided that I may need another GP

as we have to have the chiro out quite regularly compared to everyone else that I know. I hate saddle issues.

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

I have an isabelle werth and its beautiful, SO comfortable as its synthetic, looks smart and easy to keep clean!

 

[KatB]

Hm, sounds a difficult one, but yeah could be a poss saddle prob. My boy is spoilt and has the new bates momentum, which I love and he goes beautifully in, but apparently some people have had problems with the cair system, with horses resenting it?! Does her back look tight? Can you run your hand firmly along either side of her back without tensing?

 

[Peanot]

I have actually been looking at these as they are the same gullet tree as I have now.
Though not totally decided as I am now questioning my own saddle fit. Having chiro/massager out next week so I am gonna ask her to have a look at the fit

 

[Peanot]

[ QUOTE ]
Does her back look tight? Can you run your hand firmly along either side of her back without tensing?

[/ QUOTE ]


Her back is always a little tight when I have chiro/massager out. She always has to work with deep muscles in her pelvic area and she is a little tight behind the saddle area.

I can run my hands over her back and she seems fine, yet when I brush her back and barrel, she swishes her tail and pulls faces.

 

[I_A_P]

my mare can be a bit sensative about being brushed along her back, epecially where the saddle would end and after talkin about it with instructor and back lady we now know that its just as shes sensitive there ecause of her being a amre. however she has always done this so may not be the similar kind of thing in ur case if she hasnt done it before.worth a checj, at least wen u have had the massage/chiro out u will know a little more!

 

[Peanot]

Funny you should say that as she is always like this, even after treatment. Perhaps she is just tender there being a mare then.
She was working really nicely and then about 3 weeks ago, she hit a back pole hard whilst jumping and things have gradually gone downhill since then really.

It is only 7 weeks since last chiro visit. Perhaps I have to understand that every 2 months is best to get her checked.

 

[henryhorn]

We have had the Sue Carson ones for a few months now and can't fault them.
The last one was bought off ebay for £575 so not ridiclously expensive and the fitter charged £50 to adjust it to fit.
Monty bucked for joy the first time he got his, it was definitely a yeehaar not a get off me type reaction, and every horse we have tried it on likes the feel of the air .
Compared with the other system Flair, Cair is a totally different feel, soft and sort of squishy, and for a horse with back problems the ideal thing.
You can get second hand near new ones for around £1100 but ebay does occasionally have some and even if you have to change the tree, it's still an £1800 saddle at under a grand..

 

[TURBOBERT]

I love my Albion - my daughter has bought one too. We have Tb type horses though - not sure if your horse is a chunky WB type. Why not try a few if you have a good local saddler.

 

[Peanot]

I went to a demonstration with Sue Carson 2 years ago. There were 3 riders of different levels on dressage horses and they were being assessed on their tests. I had a sit on one of her saddles and it was nice. A bit expensive though as I want a 2nd saddle, so I am not selling one.

 

[pocket]

I have a an Albian dressage saddle, puts you in a nice deep seat and is very comfortable, especially with sitting trot. Love Albian, have a vsd for showing

 

[teapot]

Ideal jessica's are lovely too

 

[mariond]

Yes I second that I have an Ideal Jessica with flair that came with my mare when I bought her and I love it.

 

[justanovice]

Does anyone know about a new saddle site www.safesaddles.com? They have some lovely dressage saddles for wider horses. They seem reasonably priced too.

 

[piaffe]

For me, it has to be a KN. They are a bit expensive, but I love mine and really make you sit "in" not "on" the saddle!