Dressage Saddles...

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ecrozier

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Just starting to ponder whether I should invest in one. My lad is working fairly comfortably at novice level at home, but my instructor has basically said in the nicest way possible that my riding needs to change for him to start winning stuff
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!! He's scoring high 60s at prelim fairly regularly but not really scoring anything like that at novice out and about. Instructor is a listed judge so knows what we need to do, and apparently I tip forward a bit and my leg needs to be further back to engage his back end properly. This is made worse out competing as I get bit tense, so tip more, so he gets tense, which then makes me tip forward even more....vicious circle! Never had a problem jumping, but then I guess a slightly more forward seat is OK when jumping, apparently its not that I'm unbalanced exactly, just not producing the 'elegant' picture we need!
So, I'm wondering how much difference a dressage saddle would make. I currently ride in a GP, reasonably forward cut.
And if it is worth investing (we do try to get out and do dressage once a month at least, and are also starting some ODEs - dressage letting us down at these!), and I school on the flat once or twice a week, what brands are good? Are synthetic ones any good? Which should I look at? Obviously will get saddler to fit but just to et an idea of prices...

(NB he is a 15hh arab with a fairly flat wither and big shoulders, saddler once said he is built like a new forest between his wither and croup!)
 
Hmmm, I'd be a bit nervous about buying like that as my lad is notoriously a bit tricky to fit....but worth a look once I've measure up his GP in terms of D-ring to D-ring etc. Thanks for the link!
 
a dressage saddle will definitely help, but make sure that you are really really fussy about feeling absolutely right in it, and it helping your position etc as well as fitting your horse. it is really difficult, because it takes more than 5 mins to get used to the feel of a saddle, and compare them, and most fitters don't want to stand there all day... not surprisingly.
having wasted over £1000 a time, more than once unfortunately, on saddles that weren't really right for me or my horse, but which the fitter said was perfect at the time, i just want to say... be assertive, take as long as you need. maybe borrow one for a week from a friend or something, to get a feel of it... just don't make the mistakes i made!
i know i'm not alone in this... i've had the bitter "so, how much money have YOU wasted on dressage saddles" conversation with quite a few other riders.
good luck!
 
Thanks Kerilli, that is worth knowing. I'm really really lucky that our saddle fitter is an absolute gem and will happily let us borrow saddles for a week or so to try and I can have a lesson etc in one before I buy. Not sure he could do tha same with synthetics though so worth considering whether a 2nd hand leather one would be a better investment if that is the case.
Glad you think it would help....was wondering if pwople might just say I needed to have more lessons rather than changing the saddle!!
 
I have two wow saddles. They aren't cheap but the beauty of them is that you can swap the flaps over, so if jumping is your main discipline you just pop the dressage flaps on before you ride a test - therefore you only need one saddle. Also my horses being warmblood x anglo-arab are awkward to fit & the wow saddles being completely adjustable fit them perfectly. The other benefit is that if your horse changes shape you just have your saddle adjusted instead of changing the saddle so it can save money in the long run. If you are interested, do a search for First Thought Equine - they are very helpful & will tell you who your local stockist is.

If you do decide to get a dressage saddle, it would be well worth being lunged by your trainer in it a few times to help you with your position. I compete at elementary affiliated dressage at the moment & get lunged whenever I can as it really does help!

Good luck with your horse & don't worry if you feel you are holding him back - it is all about doing the best that you can & enjoying what you acheive.
 
Thanks Panda2007, do you mind me asking how much they cost? I'm on a bit of a budget, as my GP was new a couple of years ago and cost me nearly £1000, and it still fits me/horse fine for jumping/hacking.
Think getting lunged is definately a good plan, going to do lots of work without stirrups as well, once I have a school (moving yards soon), not a safe idea in a 10 acre field on an excitable arab!
 
I have a sue carson flair on the mare, brilliant saddle!
The good thing about it, is you (well a SC rep) can alter the air in the saddle, great if you find you tip to one side!
ALso Love the amerigos! Fab saddle.
But id be wary of a jag, they are bloody uncomfortable! lol
x
 
Hi ya, if i were you i'd go for a dressage saddle. Sounds like you will use it enough to be worth it. I prefer leather to synthetic but it's a personal preference. You can get second hand ones for a reasonable price. I find schooling easier in a dressage saddle because it is cut specifically for the purpose, so will support the position you are trying to acheive. With my horses i tend to have a jumping saddle and a dressage saddle and don't bother with a gp. Jumping saddle is perfectly comfortable for hacking so you've got a saddle for every discipline. I have an ideal jessica which i love but obviously you've got to go with what fits you both. xxx
 
Having bought my first dressage saddle about 1 month ago I absolutely love it
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! I used to ride in a Stubben jump saddle which was ok, but the knee rolls just didnt support
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. This saddle that I have now has lovely big knee rolls which supports my lower leg which is one less thing to think about and has stopped me tipping forwards so much too. Also with having your leg in the right position I feel I can relax more and follow the movement.

Synthetic you can get the Wintec dressage which is supposed to be rather good if you do not want to spends lots. Ideal range is reported to be very well fitting and comfortable - might be worth checking out their website?!

Hope that helps.

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Brilliant thanks guys, think it looks like I need to invest! My GP is very comfy for jumping , I have been told be several saddlers I wouldn't be able to fit anything much more forward cut than that on him cos of his big shoulders and his shape! But looks like a dressage saddle worth investing in, I'll get the saddler up.....
 
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