Horse or saddle prob?

[CurlyWurlyRach]

Im really struggling to sit correctly in my saddle for dressage.
Its a Wintec 2000 GP and i really like it, i havnt managed to fall out of it and i always feel so secure in it, its also good to jump in.

However, i really need to work on my horses flatwork and it turns out i have a slight chair seat and i just cant keep my hip, heel alignment unless i drop the stirrups so far that my legs hang past my horses belly and i struggle with leg aids.

Is it a problem with my GP saddle that i can remedy by saving for a Wintec 500 dressage saddle or am i just too tall on my 16.2 TBx (im 5ft10ish - or thats what i measured as last year, i slouch terribly tho)?

[KateWooten]

It's the saddle !

Of course, it might also be you :p but for sure, you could be PERFICK and you'll still be in a chair seat in that saddle. The Wintec Isabell is supposed to be ok. But a lot more money.

[Shadowlark]

Well my dear, the saddle line you are ridding is rather notorious for poor Stirrup bar placement.. so I highly doubt your long legs are to blame ;)

[kirstie]

Having had a quick peep at the wintec webiste to check out the Wintec 2000 GP, i think it could be you.

You could try someone lunging Curly while sit on her working on your lower leg.

From SL post and from the classical dressage website

There are so many little add-ons to each of these notes. If the stirrup bar on your saddle is placed too far forward -as many are- you may actually have to angle the stirrup leather backwards too. If you go by allowing the stirrup leather to hang vertically it will pull your leg too far forward! Have someone on the ground check your alignment

[Joyscarer]

I have the Wintec VSD which I replaced my old GP with and it's done my position wonders :)

Sadly Joy has changed shape so much I fear I need to buy another make to fit her now. Saddle fitter is out later in the month.

[poohsmate]

It's much more likely to be the saddle than you:D

[CurlyWurlyRach]

Aha! Its not my great big gangly legs that i can never get jeans long enough for (they always expose an attractive inch or two of ankle....). Ive been blaming my poor innocent parents for being so blimmin tall :o

I love my saddle but I the Wintec 500 dressage looks nice and almost affordable (i was saving for a close contact but i really do need to get out of my chair seat), £290 with CAIR from my saddler....I have about £100 so far.

Someone on my yard has the isabell, might ask nicely if i can have a sit in it as her horse is only a smidge smaller than curly.

Thanks :)

[Dooley]

Most likely to be saddle! The Isabell dressage saddle takes care of my leg position without me even having to think about. I'm a bit taller than you with loooooong legs and my horse is slightly smaller than Curly:eek:. I used to hate Wintec with a vengeance until I was introduced to the Isabell. I gave the saddlefitter a dirty look when she brought it out for us to try. ("What ?! a Wintec ? You must be joking! Not over my dead body !") But my horse showed me quite clearly that he liked the Isabell better than all the posh saddles I was willing to pay a fortune for and my RI was immediately sold on it when she saw my legposition - poor lass had been working on my legs for several months (at a RS in a variety of GPs) and as soon as she turned her back I used to be in a chair position again ! It's more expensive than their other saddles but a lot cheaper than most other dressage saddles and for flatwork (and hacking !!) it's great. Very comfy and secure.
But of course it has to fit the horse and just the fact that you can change the gullet doesn't mean it'll be right for Curly. Why don't you get a saddlefitter out with a variety of 2nd hand dressage saddles and listen to what Curly tells you. Good luck!

[Forever Fern]

I have a wintec 500, and its great but im not really a fan of riding glong but apart from that its great
xXx

[BeachRiding]

As you know, I have a wintec 2000 and have a horrid time trying to maintain proper postion. I hate the saddle now.

[Iron Maiden]

As you know, I have a wintec 2000 and have a horrid time trying to maintain proper postion. I hate the saddle now.

Hiya WL. Not heard from you for a bit. How have you been getting on with the lovely Gitcha? And why the change of heart about the saddle?? Good to hear from you - give us an update when you've got a mo!

[CurlyWurlyRach]

i was wondering where youd got to WL :)

I have discovered that with practise and a consious effort i can get my leg under me in the 2000, which is a relief. Im still after a dressage saddle and then a close contact saddle but im trying to sort an RI first and also put money aside for my gap year next year.
money money money.