Dressage saddles....

[Michen]

I can’t believe I’m writing this! I’d like a dressage saddle for Boggle. He fits his Monarch jump very well, equipe expression and ideal impalas also go nicely on him.

What would be the equivalent dressage saddle to the above saddle shapes? Equipe emporium? They seem really expensive even second hand.

Anything else I should look at?

photo of his shape if helpful.

 

[Kizzy2004]

Complete opposite to what I said on your other thread but I really liked the Albion dressage saddle. Tried a monarch and it wasn’t as comfortable.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

The only Albion that I found comfortable was the Fabrento. I did ride in my trainers Equipe Emporio and quite liked it (they don't work for my horse, of course ?). The Ideal Roella might also suit? I've not tried an Impala.

I do see the Emporio for decent prices second hand, some Amerigos too.

I find dressage saddles to be very personal. There have been some that should've fit my horse and that I should've liked but when I actually sat in the saddle, I didn't like them at all! So I would really sit in as many as you can.

 

[AUB]

I love my Emporio! Also tried Albion SLK but that didn’t work for me in the canter.

Erreplus and Custom might also be something if you like the Emporio.

 

[Roxylola]

Fairfax? I think they're basically the same shape as the k and m tree wise, and you can get the classic which is not too expensive (compared with equipe)

 

[Slightlyconfused]

I've been told that the Ideal Suzzanah is a good choice for those that fit the Impala.

Though you can get a Ideal Impala Dressage saddle.

 

[Barlow]

Monarch do a decent dressage saddle too, if the GP is a good fit then it might translate over to the dressage version?

 

[Michen]

Monarch do a decent dressage saddle too, if the GP is a good fit then it might translate over to the dressage version?

It's the old style monarch not the new one which doesn't fit him at all, and I can't seem to find any old monarch dressage saddles? Not sure if they did them!

 

[Roxylola]

I know boggle isn't a cob or anything, but in terms of his actual scaffolding I think he's a similar shape to Charlie- decent shoulder, bit of wither, not totally flat backed etc. Fairfax suit him quite well. Same shape but not as nice quality is the k and m and the thoroughgood saddles are the same basic shape too and all adjustable

 

[LouisCat]

I might be wrong but from previous threads I don't think you do masses of schooling etc? Ignore me if that's wrong! All I would say is if you haven't ridden much in dressage saddles you need to try a few as it can be like learning to ride again in the wrong one!

 

[Michen]

I might be wrong but from previous threads I don't think you do masses of schooling etc? Ignore me if that's wrong! All I would say is if you haven't ridden much in dressage saddles you need to try a few as it can be like learning to ride again in the wrong one!

Not historically but it appears I'm now doing more of it! I currently have a VSJ, not quite a jump, but looking to buy a jump saddle. I think I may find that very forward for flatwork hence thinking about a dressage too

 

[blitznbobs]

I’m an equipe Olympia fan (can’t get on with the emporio)... but dressage saddles tend to be a personal thing .. the only way to know is to try a few and see what helps and what hinders you.

 

[DirectorFury]

Roughly what width is he? There are a few cheap (~£1200) 2nd hand M and MW Equipe dressage saddles knocking round at the moment and they're with companies that offer 3-7 day trials.

 

[Michen]

Roughly what width is he? There are a few cheap (~£1200) 2nd hand M and MW Equipe dressage saddles knocking round at the moment and they're with companies that offer 3-7 day trials.

He's in the wide monarch gullet at the moment!

 

[sherry90]

I’d definitely recommend trying a few. The ones I really thought I’d want, I hated and the ones I hated off the horse felt the best.
I didn’t like the Equipe at all and Fairfax felt uncomfortable for me (I tried the new World Class which is apparently the dogs b*#^{* but I really didn’t rate it)

I liked the Albion K2 (I have the jump - commented on your other thread!) but ended up buying a second hand Liberty Performance which I’d also tried and he went really well in.

I have long thighs and struggle in anything too blocky but also like to have something there.

 

[Barlow]

It's the old style monarch not the new one which doesn't fit him at all, and I can't seem to find any old monarch dressage saddles? Not sure if they did them!

Ah ok, the Monarch I had would have been about 7 years ago - not sure what style it was. I also like Bates and currently only ride in a Bates Innova - if you weren’t sure the Isabelle werth model is a good option and you can pick up synthetic wintec versions cheaply too.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Dressage saddles I am not a lover of the Albion full stop I ride my friends horse that has one and although it's an older model it's like a brick, I have a Lavinia Mitchell Dressage for one of mine it is the most comfortable saddle ever they have a double padded seat which suits my skinny pointy seat bone arse!,

They are made with very wide panels and gullet and really suit the wider horse, I bought mine new and it really transformed my horses back and allowed him to really move in it.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

If Kent and Masters fit you and your horse, I think they're decent "bang for your buck"

While I had a Fairfax, I didn't get on with K&M at the time when I tried them. K&M also has a more A shaped gullet vs a U/hoop, if that matters.

I ride in a dressage saddle that I would've never gotten along with almost 4 years ago when I began this (somewhat regrettable ?) journey into dressage land. So it's also not uncommon for your preferences to change. My hips are actually somewhat loose now and my legs can actually hang, for example. I prefer a little less and more straight block than I originally started with.

If I would've stayed at "basic dressage level" maybe my preferences wouldn't have changed, but I've gone further down the rabbit hole than I intended!

I would definitely only go with saddles that offer a trial or with a saddler that has a good inventory. I also asked another livery to try her saddle when she happened to have a model I was interested in. So maybe see what's around the yard too.

 

[Goldenstar]

I had all sorts of expensive dressage saddles I have sold them all and now only have Fairfax and Ideal Jessica .
I used to have loads of Jessica’s when I had more horses they comfy versatile and nice to hack out in .
They are cheap to get second hand .I bought one recently for Blue in perfect condition for £400 .
However the me the Fairfaxs are perfect no much blocking ( which I hate ) I remove all the Velcro pads and I am good to go.

 

[j1ffy]

I agree with those saying you need to try before you buy! I absolutely hated a Fairfax when I tried one on Indio, but Danny (loan horse) has a Fairfax and I love it on him. Also Indio had a Bliss Paramour which felt great, but when I tried the same on Pocholo it felt awful and he ended up with a far cheaper Black Country. I also really liked Ideals on Indio, he still has one now even though he only hacks - it doesn't have big leg blocks so it's comfy even for longer hacks.

 

[oldie48]

Another who says you need to ride in them before you buy. I'm another long from hip to knee who finds big blocks very uncomfortable. For a nice value for money saddle Ideal take some beating, I've had the Jessica and Suzannah, think I also had the Roella too. I currently have the Albion K2 dressage for Rose which seems to fit everyone and can be altered. I've sat in a K&M and tbh thought it was very hard but I'm not well padded!

 

[Sprat]

Another who says you need to ride in them before you buy. I'm another long from hip to knee who finds big blocks very uncomfortable. For a nice value for money saddle Ideal take some beating, I've had the Jessica and Suzannah, think I also had the Roella too. I currently have the Albion K2 dressage for Rose which seems to fit everyone and can be altered. I've sat in a K&M and tbh thought it was very hard but I'm not well padded!

Sorry to derail thread Michen, but that's good to know Oldie. I currently ride in an Albion SLK which fits Bean nicely, but I'm v.long hip to knee and I find myself fighting with the knee blocks on it. I've been toying with the idea of getting a new saddle soon so I'll have a look into the ones you have mentioned.

 

[tristar]

I know boggle isn't a cob or anything, but in terms of his actual scaffolding I think he's a similar shape to Charlie- decent shoulder, bit of wither, not totally flat backed etc. Fairfax suit him quite well. Same shape but not as nice quality is the k and m and the thoroughgood saddles are the same basic shape too and all adjustable

a lot of this m.

i like a dressage saddle that lets me sit well forward towards the head of the saddle, so i feel with the horse and can sit upright and not feel left behind when they surge forwards i have a tgood t6 i use a lot, a crosby with is lovely and comfortable, among others, but its good to have the adjustable ones for the fatter thinner times

but there are some seriously uncomfortable ones out there, wintec i found very comfortable, try loads, the best for me is the ones that let sit over the point of balance, ie more forwards than for general riding

sbloom might be along in a while

 

[sbloom]

sbloom might be along in a while

I think Michen and I might have already communicated, I do only fit for one brand so can't advise on any of these options, sorry!