dressage saddles

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Sali

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After a string of tendon injuries, my mare has been signed to a year of dressage, so I've decided to sell my current Albion, and treat us both to a dressage saddle.
Was wondering what stressage saddles you use and would reccomend?
 
Devoucoux dressage saddles are divine..
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ETS: Not that I've had the pleasure of trying out lots of expensive saddles..
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I've bought 2 recently, a Wintec Isobell Werth which is fabulous, and just a couple of weeks ago I bought an Albion K2 which has really changed our way of going for the better. Would love to have tried a WoW, but couldnt wait that long.
 
On a budget, Wintec Isabell. If I had the money for a decent leather saddle, an Ideal (like the look of the Ideal Crown in TDS). If I had unlimited money I'd try a Bates Innova!
I would say Albions but they just don't work with me (I find them horribly flat and hard). But if you already have an Albion saddle, the Legend (I tried an old 2nd hand one) and the Genesis (my share horse has one of these) are quite nice, as is the K2.
But obviously only one that fitted the horse too
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i LOVE my wintec isabelle, I ride in mine with the large dressage blocks so cant tell you what its like with the normal ones but i find they seem to fit everything well and every horse i have ridden in mine seems to have had no complaints! and plus i think they look really smart. Not really ridden in many other dressage saddles but my mother recommends the KN dressage saddles if you have a bit more to spend!
 
I have a Barnsby, the richard davison one, and i love it. I automatically ride in a much better position.
My instructor said how much she loved the saddle as she didn't have to keep shouting at me to get my legs back!!
It basically gives you no choice but to ride in a better position, which in my case is no bad thing!!!!!!
 
I love my Devoucoux Makila and also have an ancient Kieffer which I liked (doesnt fit any horse at present). I had a Bates Isabel for a while but found it rather restricting. Also have a Saddle Company dressage saddle which I dont particularly like but my horse does so I have to get on with it.

Best advice would be to get a saddler/fitter to attend your yard with as many different dressage saddles as possible then try them until you find the right one. Dont have any preconceived ideas about what you want, be open minded about labels/brands and go for the one that fits both the horse and you.
 
I have an Ideal Jessica which I love, very comfy and the horse goes well in it. They are also very reasonably priced (mine was £650 new) compared with some other makes like Devoucoux etc.
Although I have to confess given the choice and lots of money I would love a Butet.
 
I have ridden in some gorgeous dressage saddles, but what is fab on one horse, is foul on another! Love the Ideal saddles, but although g went very well in it, it was horrid on him, yet i had ridden another horse in one and liked it! MrsT is spot on with advise, dressage saddles are the most personal of them all IMO....
 
Ive got the Ideal 1650 for Archie which is lovely and mega comfy, was just under £1k. Bloss has an Albion Ultima SLK Narrow, which was £1750 and is nice - but not as comfy as my Ideal!!

Like someone said tho, what suits one horse/person dosent necessarily suit another. Get your local saddler to come out to you with lots of different makes to try and go from there - thats what i did.
 
I adore my Butet. I am not keen on these deep seats and massive blocks to hold me in place, so the flatter, neater Butet suits me and more importantly the horses I use it on.

I guess it depends on the style you like and whether it fits your horse.
 
I've just bought an Albion K2 dressage and after a long wait (cos my stupid Connemara wouldn't fit in to any of their normal sizes
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) I absolutely love it - I did have to wait 10 weeks though.
 
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