Opinions please on dressage saddles

S

StellaArtois

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 February 2008
Messages
218
Visit site
Hi all
After thought that I had found my perfect match I had to sell my saddle as it just wasnt right. I thought I would then try an ideal as I am a small then my dressage instructor suggested a semi flex saddle by Barrie Swain any opinions on an of these saddles. Cheers
Anyone know who would fit a semi flex in Scotland
Thanks
 
I have a keiffer, lovely on my mare, sits me nicely and comfortable, but rode in my friends ideal jessica on her horse and that took comfortable to a whole new level!! I'll be looking at getting an ideal for my youngster in a few years once broken in! If you are petite ideal do the roella that is designed for petite riders, see link: http://www.idealsaddle.com/catalogue/saddle/19
 
With saddles, I really think that "one mans meat is another mans poison". if you are short in the thigh, and long in the calf then you would probably find a shorter knee roll more comfortable and if you are long in the thigh - prob like a longer knee roll, then there is the whole - do you like a high seat or prefer a flatter version. Finally, depending on your horse, then look at the panels and how wide they are. So (very sweeping) - I loved the Albion SLK and it fitted my wb/tb perfectly - put it onto my new ISH and the panels were too broad so had to switch to an SL - which I didn't like as much as I like to feel very secure in my dressage saddle. I ended up with a made to measure for myself and my horse which cost me £1200 - so not more than a mid range Albion and fits us perfectly (plus I got to move the knee rolls around, pad the seat etc etc!)
 
I have just bought a new dressage saddle. It was a process of elimination to find the one that fitted my horse and then which fitted/suited me the best. We narrowed it down to 3 saddles for me to try, one wasn't that comfy to ride in so then we were down to 2 - I was happy with either but on the advice of those watching me, my position etc I got one that we are both happy with.
smile.gif


I think you just need to find the right one for you and your horse rather than going by brand/name.
smile.gif
 
i agree with above, i was given a saddle that went round badminton with the rider adn loved it and i hated it.

Dr i have the roella on my little mare and the suzanne (almost the same) on my big warmblood, i love them and everyone that has sat in them loves them. Ideal do a lovely drop pannel and they sit lovely on the nags, but it is each to their own x
 
Ive been through more saddles than I care to think about (and all the money I've wasted
frown.gif
) and after giving up on finding a dressage saddle I am now I'm getting one made that fits me as well as my horse and which can be adjusted quite a lot to encompass any future changes. Its cheaper than any named brand and I can have it exactly how I want it.
smile.gif
Resale value might not be so good but I'm not paying through the nose for a named brand.
 
Another vote for Ideal here! And you can get some pretty good deal on them if youve got the time to wait, i got mine off ebay! Puts me in the perfect place and fits the horse beautifully. Its probs worth getting a saddle fitter out to have try on a few and see what suits even if you dont buy from them
wink.gif
 
I love my Ideal, but I'm 6'1'' . My wife rode on it and promptly had ot go to te osteopath!! she is 5ft on a tall day.

I went to an auction in Bristol to buy a Kieffer one. It was in amongst all kind of other things and thought i could get a deal. However it had come from a customs seizure and they had sliced every pad right open looking for contraband - criminal!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top