Is this normal for a new dressage saddle

[ann-jen]

or is it me?
I've only really rode in it a handful of times so far. It sits me in a beautiful position and Jenny seems very happy with it. Where I normally slouch in walk I seem suddenly able to sit up straight....but I feel (rightly or wrongly) that my leg is a million miles away from Jenny's side. I don't know whether its just that the leather is still a bit stiff and when it softens I'll be ok....or seeing as I've only ever ridden in jump/GP saddles before its just that I need time to adjust to a different position....or if there is something wrong with the way I'm sitting in it that is making my lower leg sit away from her side....or is it meant to and I'm just used to having a close lower leg from jumping.....

I'm having a lesson this week and so will see what my instructor thinks but any suggestions would be welcome - I've never had a dressage saddle before and so I'm probably being a bit of a numpty regarding this.

 

[connie1288]

mm not sure but i find in my dr saddle my legs are wrapped round?!? but i have only ridden in a close contact mono flap dressage saddle so may be different in other saddles, sorry not much help.

 

[ann-jen]

Well I am wondering if its just because its stiff from being new because the demo saddle I tried didn't feel like that but that had obviously been well worn in.
This is a monoflap too - the back of the flap lies close but the front sticks out a bit where it goes up over the block - maybe I should have my lower leg further back....

 

[jennystreek]

This sounds exactly how I felt when I first got my dressage saddle. I felt so far away from the horse!

It does get better as you ride more in it, although, its probably taken me 6 - 9 months to get used to it.

part of me still wonders though if I should ahve purchased a mono-flap one

Mine is an albion, and do find it quite chunky

 

[ann-jen]

Phew I'm glad its not just me and its encouraging to hear that I'll get used to it with time.
Jenny can be difficult to motivate on the flat and not giving effective leg aids is the last thing I need! It probably doesn't look the way that it feels if that makes sense .... but I'll see what my instructor thinks on my lesson. One positive is I'm having to make definite on/off leg aids so I suppose I should be communicating more clearly with Jenny.

Perhaps once we both get used to it this will be a good thing.

The new jump saddle is fab and I've had no teething problems with that at all but then I'm much more used to a jump saddle.

 

[sillygillyhorse]

Sounds to me very like it is the fact the saddle puts you in a dressage position which you will adapt to. It will feel strange at first but you will get used to it.

 

[ann-jen]

Thats what I wondered. All my friends said when they first got dressage saddles they were quite sore in their hips to start with after riding - and I'm not - but I'm pretty strong and supple through there so I think thats why as opposed to I'm not sitting with my hips in the correct position if you know what I mean.

 

[sillygillyhorse]

Know exactly what you mean, i have ridden on dressage saddles for years now but last year had a new one that really did put my leg under my hip, boy did my hips and inner thighs ache to start with!

 

[ann-jen]

It does feel different - Jenny feels so much wider - its like my little Anglo-arab x has disappeared and I'm riding a Clydesdale!

 

[icestationzebra]

Ditto Mrs T

When I got mine last year my hips killed me after each session in it....ooh for about 3 weeks and then it went. However if I don't ride in it for a couple of weeks I do feel a 'pull'. The leather will soften and you will feel closer - you just have to keep riding in it and treating it with a leather balsam will also help. Make sure you are not locking your knee into the block which will take your lower leg off. Almost think of turning your toes slightly out and opening the knee a little - this will help wrap your lower leg round. It is a very different feel from a jump saddle and will soon become intuitive

 

[ann-jen]

Thanks - thats really helpful - I think I might be doing that with my knee as my thigh fits so comfortably down the block. I will try the "toe out" position tomorrow.