Dressage v GP saddles.

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najat

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I ahve both the Bates Caprilli Dressage and GP saddle. Normally I ride in the dressage saddle, using the GP for jumping and hacking out.

Last night however, I schooled in the GP saddle (dressage was at home waiting to be cleaned - been there a week already! Ho hum!).

My horse went a million times better! He was much freer and forward going in all paces (trot was fantastic!!!) Also, I hadn't put his flash strap on (lost it somewhere from the tack room to the stable!). I always use a flash on him 'cos he tends to stick his tongue out the side of his mouth and chew it......

Do you think he could prefer the GP saddle - or perhaps it was the lack of the flash strap.....

Someone mentioned to me that some horses don't like the long girth straps/short girth of the dressage saddle. This could be the main difference with my boy - can they be converted to take a normal girth??

Suppose it is time to experiment with flash strap and GP and no flash strap and dressage! My horse is one fussy boy!!
 
I would maybe get the saddler to check your dressage saddle just in case it was rubbing or pinching somewhere. Never heard of horses not liking short girths though!
 
Definately experiment with each combination, but it does sound like he might be finding the GP more comfortable, so probs worth getting the dressage saddle checked....

Have never heard of having a dressage girth converted! they are designed like that to allow your leg to be closer to the horse - the buckles would be under your leg if you did convert! ouch!

A horse I rode used to get sores where the girth ended and straps began, but we sorted that by using a girth sleeve longer than the girth.... It didnt effect his way of going though....

Good luck!
 
saddle fit has to be the first thing that you look at. Mine doesnt like the short girths on dressage saddles, no idea why, you can get them converted i did mine. Sometimes the buckles on the short girths can rub/catch the elbow area.
 
My horse seems to go better in his jumping saddle than dressage. Dressage saddle fits him perfectly so i have put it down to rider position. I think he actually prefers his rider in a more open position, sitting a bit further back. His shoulders seem freer and he is more forward.

I do find this a bit gutting because i like to ride in a classical position!
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But what the horse says goes!!!!!

I can't wait to get a dressage saddle for my new horse!!!!
 
flash nosebands are evil
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actually, ALL nosebands are evil - an invention created to circumvent proper schooling. Throw it away forever and see if you can't find a way of going that leads to soft, relaxed contact that doesn't cause pain and the attempts to circumvent it that we lable as evasions.

and check the fit of the dressage saddle....

good luck

E
 
Update!

The dressage saddle fits perfectly! I have had it checked, re-checked and checked again!

Had a lesson last night with my dressage trainer and rode in the GP. We have put it down to me sitting in a way that my horse prefers in the GP - he is obviously like your horse Tate!

Sundance - did your horse's way of going improve when you had the girth straps converted? Where did you have it done?
 
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