Hunting in a working hunter saddle?

[Olderrider73]

Hi all, a couple months ago I went on my shared horse out on a training meet it was my very first time in my whole life and it was very fast paced. Anyway my friend/horse owner suggested that I ride in his Black Country working hunter show saddle as it looks the part for the hunt which I did but it was a very slippery saddle and I didn’t feel very secure in it, its cut more like a dressage saddle and we do use it for low level dressage. I really don’t know how I stayed on! Tbh. do you think as it was my first time out hunting I should be in a more secure saddle like his GP saddle next time? I didn’t jump though.

 

[conniegirl]

Use your GP saddle. WH saddles are for the show ring only and are difficult to jump in at the best of times.

 

[merry neddy man]

Ditto

 

[Kat]

You'll be much more comfortable and secure in a GP, Event or Jump saddle. If you look around you will see that is what most of the experienced hunting folk use.

 

[Olderrider73]

Thank you ??

 

[Jellymoon]

You must be very good to cope with a fast paced day in a show saddle!!

Everyone I see out is in a jump saddle, even if they are not jumping, I to it’s more balanced for all the cantering in a two point seat you have to do.

 

[honetpot]

I always buy WH saddles for everything, and I have not found them a problem to ride in. Most have a small knee roll, and you should be able to balance fine. Some saddles are coated leather and they are just slippery.

 

[Olderrider73]

You must be very good to cope with a fast paced day in a show saddle!!

Everyone I see out is in a jump saddle, even if they are not jumping, I to it’s more balanced for all the cantering in a two point seat you have to do.

I dont know how I coped with it, needless to say I only stayed out an hour!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Use your GP saddle. WH saddles are for the show ring only and are difficult to jump in at the best of times.

Agree with this I have one for one of my Arabs and don't even use it anymore as his really sharp and I really don't feel secure in it at all, I much prefer a gp or dressage saddle they have a deeper seat.

 

[SpeedyPony]

I hunt in a WH saddle and find it much more comfortable than the GP, but it has reasonably large velcro knee rolls and I tend to feel more secure riding with long stirrups than short. The GP I am comparing it too is an uncomfortable saddle all round though, so not the fairest comparison.