What Type of Saddle to Buy

MrsMozart

MrsMozart

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I need a new saddle for the Dizz.

I have a Penwood GP, which was very comfy. I have an old dressage saddle (no blocks at all), which I rode in through all the Silly Horse period. I was buying a new jump saddle when I came off, having borrowed a VSD at the time.

Now there is no point in having. Jump saddle as the Dizz isn't allowed to jump. We won't be able to do high level dressage, so is there any point in having a dressage saddle? A GP..., well all we can do is flat work, so what point anything but a flat work saddle.

I realise I'm making little sense (I blame The Cold!), but its getting to the stage where a decision will have to be made as I've had the current saddle on loan for six months!

Oh, forgot to say - D1 has snaffled the Penwood as it fits Grey Mare very well. I have promised her a jump saddle if they go affiliated, but she would prob keep the Penwood for general riding. I think the Dizz has outgrown the dressage saddle, plus I'm thinking blocks of some sort would be helpful :rolleyes:. She seems to suit Baines saddles.

If there is anything left that we could compete in, I would get a discipline specific saddle then. For now I want something comfy for me that fits the Dizz well (she's very fussy/ sensitive!).

I'm thinking that it will probably be a dressage saddle as I need to be in the optimum position for Dizzy to carry me, at least that was my reasoning when I got the dressage saddle when I first got Dizz.

Yikes. That was a long waffle! Sorry :eek:
 
Cheiro1 said:
you could get a VSD, so you have a sort of GP, but more flatwork based than jumping? :)
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If one is going to go for a VSD, given that we can't jump (and I could not sit well for jumping in the VSD I was using when I came off :eek::rolleyes:), what would the benefit of the VSD be over a pure dressage saddle?

It's either confusing, or my brain is addled.

Need more tablets!
 
you can shorten your stirrups more for hacking/going for a canter etc in a VSD, which you can't in a dressage, but that may be pure preference??
Also I know your looking at the trec and you may struggle riding quite that long over such a long period/not really being able to get up into light seat?

think its personal though :)
 
Cheiro1 said:
you can shorten your stirrups more for hacking/going for a canter etc in a VSD, which you can't in a dressage, but that may be pure preference??
Also I know your looking at the trec and you may struggle riding quite that long over such a long period/not really being able to get up into light seat?

think its personal though :)
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Ah, good thinking re. stirrup lengths, etc. When I was riding in the dressage saddle, I came close to bailing out a couple of times (nothing to help hold me), but I may well not have thought of putting them up for hacking - we had faster hacks than I'd been expecting at the time!

Re. the trec and endurance..., don't really know at this stage if the Dizz will be up to either of those at any level. Lots of getting on and off in le trec and ground conditions in the endurance may be an issue :(. If we were to do it, I'd get a specific saddle anyway :). For now, it's something comfy that I can hack for miles in and still have the Dizz (and me!) feel comfortable :)

I can get back on this Tuesday :D :D :D. The saddle I have for her at the moment is a Baines VSD (can't remember the rest of the name :rolleyes:), so will see how it goes :D.
 
We need lots of piccies when you get back on :D:D:D
Just go with what you will be most comfortable in, I have a jumping saddle, not because I do lots of jumping, but because its what G and I work best in at the moment :)
 
Please just get the most secure one you can find, you can't afford to collect many more injuries! Buffalo skin leather is great for grip, knee blocks great for security and deep seats are harder to fall out of. Otherwise, you can do any competition up to a decent affiliated level in an all purpose saddle.
 
Try lots but ultimately ignore the make/type and go for the one that fits you best. I always hacked Jesper in his dressage saddle - some thought I was mad (he did have a tendency to rear/spin/buck everytime something moved in the hedge) but I always felt secure in my saddle and felt it held me in place. Make sure if you intend to go for long hacks it's very comfortable!! ;)
 
Good thinking MT :D

People used to think I was daft for riding the Dizz (spining, backwards, etc. etc. etc.), in a plain dressage saddle, but I felt perfectly safe on her - think of a peg on a washing line type effect lol.
 
Have you ever sat on a Wintec Isabell Werth dressage saddle? I borrow a friend's when she's not using it and its the most comfortable, secure saddle I've ever sat on.
 
No, not tried one of those... Do they suit a horse that suits the Baines? I ask because we've tried lots of different ones and the Dizz being the Dizz, she certainly lets the rider know if she's not happy with the fit! :eek::rolleyes::cool:
 
I find the wintecs have a very curved tree and only fit select horses.

They tend to fit well withered, short coupled horses best due to their shape in my experience
 
Ideal have brought out a new version of their Jessica, the Jessica Professional, which is designed to give a large baering surface on the panel, and a nice wide gullet.

I am looking at it for G as her jumping saddle is designed to do similar and she loves it.

Maybe Dizz might like something along the same idea?
 
Cheiro1 said:
Ideal have brought out a new version of their Jessica, the Jessica Professional, which is designed to give a large baering surface on the panel, and a nice wide gullet.

I am looking at it for G as her jumping saddle is designed to do similar and she loves it.

Maybe Dizz might like something along the same idea?
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I'm trying to remember which ones we tried on the Dizz back at the start of July... There were a few I liked, but Dizz didn't. The saddler will remember 'cos she's good like that :D

Dizz has changed shape since then, so maybe we'll be onto something different anyway.
 
The dressage I hacked out in was an Ideal Jessica - I loved it :D It is sitting in the spare bedroom waiting for the next little devil to grow up and be backed, it better fit him!!!
 
wellsat said:
Have you ever sat on a Wintec Isabell Werth dressage saddle? I borrow a friend's when she's not using it and its the most comfortable, secure saddle I've ever sat on.
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YES amazingly comfortable and secure!!


Cheiro1 said:
I find the wintecs have a very curved tree and only fit select horses.

They tend to fit well withered, short coupled horses best due to their shape in my experience
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I have a wintec dr on a low withered flat backed WB and it fits a treat :D

Also don't forget your chicken strap!! either breast plate or flash strap between d rings (I have both :D) Then where ever my hands are I have something to grab
 
Whether a VSD or a GP suits you best depends on the length of your leg from Hip to Thigh tbh. I am very short hip to thigh and found a even a gp too forward cut for me. I had a VSD that I used for hacking and jumping, even evented up to PN in it! My first love was my dressage saddle though, it was sooooo comfy but as my old boy was an absolute little toad to hack I needed to jack up my stirrups a few holes for security so the VSD was perfect.
 
soulfull said:
oh good and we expect to see a huge :D :D or two
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Okay, I'll try....


d040.gif
 
MrsMozart said:
Okay, I'll try....


d040.gif
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Good!! To be honest if your like I was the first few mins will be :eek: then a tentative :) shortly followed by loads of :D

I've been back riding 12 weeks now :D Still not back to where I started from and don't know to be honest if I ever will, but I have on going problems with my RA New horse is great though so much more forward it makes like easier (well when he keeps all 4 feet on the floor it is lol)
 
MrsMozart said:
Twelve weeks huh :D. Are you enjoying it?

I'm such a bundle of something or other. It will be so strange! Longest I've been off her has been six weeks :)
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Mostly loving it. I can't believe how quickly it was that I felt like I had never been off. I have even had a few times when I really couldn't be bothered to ride :eek: I'm at the end of giving him a week off right now. I thought it would do us both the world of good and physically I needed a break

Yeah I hear ya about the bundle of something, I had forgotten but you reminded me I remember the feeling well now. That continues for a week or so, then the first time you do something for the first time again

I also forgot how much hard work it can be sometimes bringing on a young horse. Oh well we will get there (eventually and 'where' who knows lol)
 
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