Is a dressage saddle really worth it??

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showpony

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Invested in a Custom Albion K2 couple mths ago & havent looked back.! Position greatly improved & love the security of the big knee rolls :p

Now we are going to head out do do some baby dressage over the next couple of mths as schooling going great - Does a Dressage saddle make a huge overall difference to position etc - is it worth investing in one ?
 
For me its a definate yes and yes! I have the pessoa pds aldea showtime- it puts me in a fantastic position and the huge thigh blocks are super supportive! It is a rather expensive saddle, even more so when you consider i only use it on a 14hh homebred welshy nothing special type- but ive got health problems etc and it now means i can ride without instant pain in my hips and knees so its definately worth it for me!! :D
 
For me it made a big difference. I ride in an Ideal Suzannah and an Albion Ultima Platinum and I love them both. I don't feel like I'm fighting my saddle anymore (stirrup bars are set far enough back) and I have a much more secure seat, which is quite handy as my mare has huge elevated paces! :-)

I tried to ride my OH's gelding in his GP (which is specifically made for a male shaped pelvis and I struggled.
 
A dressage saddle per se, even if it fits your horse, may not make a difference, the right saddle that fits you both may well make a difference. I find that many of my customers get on plenty well enough in GPs or WHs, but I know for me that my dressage saddle helps me a lot, though it is shallow seated and has small knee/thigh blocks.
 
mmm my position is pretty good in my albion ( no criticism from instructor in couple wks:D ).. will ask her what she thinks as what ure saying makes sence!

sbloom said:
A dressage saddle per se, even if it fits your horse, may not make a difference, the right saddle that fits you both may well make a difference. I find that many of my customers get on plenty well enough in GPs or WHs, but I know for me that my dressage saddle helps me a lot, though it is shallow seated and has small knee/thigh blocks.
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Yes! I takes me ages to get used to a GP which I need for fast work out on hacks. So much so I ride in a show saddle or a dressage saddle. I've also jumped 3ft in a dressage saddle lol
 
I was shocked how much difference my dressage saddle has made! Wish I had got one years ago... Realise now how much harder dressage is in a jumping saddle!
 
I'm really glad I stumbled upon this thread, I have been having the same inner battle for a few weeks... Mind is now made up - look out Dressage World, here we come ;)
 
I'm going to go against the grain here. I find it makes no difference whatsoever in the horse's way of going (as long as the GP is not interfering with the horse's shoulder). All horses here go just as well for me in their flat work in a GP as they do in a dressage saddle. However, a dressage saddle does help with rider's position.

So I would say, that if you are doing low level dressage up to novice level, there is no need to invest in a dressage saddle. Anything above this and yes, I would.
 
I really really struggle to do flat work in a GP now! Its like a have no control over my limbs in a GP but dressage puts me in so much better position. Couldn't be without one now!
 
rowy said:
I really really struggle to do flat work in a GP now! Its like a have no control over my limbs in a GP but dressage puts me in so much better position. Couldn't be without one now!
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This ^^ I look like a spider on a bicycle when I try and ride dressage in a jump saddle!
 
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