SLK Albion saddle. Problem with position??

[Peanot]

Hi, I have recently managed to buy a lovely SLK albion at a bargain price. It wasnt a planned purchase, (I was after a K2 jump) and was offered this. It was only used for 6 months but I had my local saddler to come and fit it to my horse as he has done over the last 2 years. Now my problem is that I feel like I am slightly sitting forwards onto my front bit, not on my seatbones! My jump saddle doesnt do this to me so I wondered if I could ask people who ride in dressage saddles if this is the case.
I had her back checked about 3 weeks ago and I was asked to ride in the saddle as it was newly fitted to see if there was any pressure points. There was only a couple of little issues with her back so I couldnt see the point but obliged anyway due to curiosity about the newly fitted saddle. I had a red clay saddle pad put on and we rode on it for 20 minutes. This proved that there was no pressure points or uneveness at all, and that it was a good fit for her. So why do I feel like I am sitting forward. It is a lovely comfortable saddle and when I first rode in it, I was aware that although the tree fit, the stuffing needed altering, so sat back and I thought that it was lovely. But at the minute I am back to riding in my jump saddle???
Thanks in advance.

 

[Dovorian]

Does the SLK have stirrup bars positioned quite far back in a more 'advanced' position? I had a Bates Isabell and exactly the same happened to me, the choice was to either improve my position enormously (ha ha...), or, change the saddle to one with a more forward bar. I did the latter!

 

[milliepup]

I think they do a couple of different seats on the SLK and it sounds as though the one you have bought maybe the narrow seat version which as it says is narrower at the front than a normal seat which would make you sit more down/forward on, excuse the saying, girlie bits!
If you don't feel really comfortable in it I would make a decision as to whether to sell it or not as it could really affect your riding position and posture.
By the way if you do decide to sell let me know!

 

[CSYMolly]

Also had the same with the wintec isabell, saddler told me it wasn't suited to my horse as she is ever so slightly croup high. I have the albion legend now and it is fine. I was told that some very deep seated saddles do this too you as they are higher at the back. I thought it was me at first and I'd get used to it but I never did.

 

[Tierra]

Its really hard to say without seeing either the saddle OR your normal riding position.

Do you think you're being tipped forward because your leg is being pushed back?. The whole point of a dressage saddle, is to press your leg back from the thigh.. its possible if you're purely used to jumping, that your hip, heel alignment is out and you're now feeling like you're tipping. Alternatively, you're struggling physically to cope with the new angle of your leg and hip which is causing you to tilt forward.

How do you feel when sat in it? Can you still feel your seat bones? Remember that a "correct" classical position should have you feeling both seat bones and the pubic bone creating a supportive "triangle".

Have you lengthened your stirrups too much in the albion? People often buy dressage saddles and then whack their stirrups right down. As a result, they feel insecure and their lower leg tends to creep upwards in an effort to either "grip" on or apply the leg aids in an incorrect way... as a result, you can end up tipping forwards to much.

Do you feel any different if you take your stirrups away and ride without?

Lastly, do you have dressage lessons at all? Has there ever been a problem with your position on the flat? And what does your trainer think of the saddle?

Has the saddle changed in feel since having the flocking altered? Are you sure its not that too much has been put in the back and the whole thing is actually tipping forwards (although that would give a slightly different sensation).

SLKs are a very "fixed" saddle. They have a deep seat designed to lock you into place, combined with massive knee rolls to whack your leg back into position. While they will "help", they won't instantly fix any position issues you have and im wondering if perhaps, you're just very very used to riding in a jumping saddle, which allows a completly different position.

Just some ideas to consider before you start thinking of selling the saddle

 

[Tempi]

are you used to riding in a dressage saddle? its whole different feeling to a jump saddle......i find jumping saddles tip me forwards, and dressage saddles are much easier for me to ride in and sit into the saddle. I ride in mine for everything (including jumping!) and prefer it to my jumping saddle.