Dressage saddle? worth it?

[BeachRiding]

I am selling off my really nice western endurance saddle, as I never use it, and was thinking if the right trade came along I would just buy a Dressage saddle. What are the benefits? I am currently riding in a HDR showjumping Pro, which I adore, its sooo comfy. But, was wondering what a dressage saddle does for you?:o:)

[Camyds]

Sorry I cant help re the dressage saddle but your American one sounds lovely. I will need to google it, is it similar to an Aussie Endurance/stock saddle, ? I have been looking at these, however, I dont know how the fit would go on a 16.2 middleweight warmblood? any advice BeachRiding, oops, sorry dont want to take away from your topic, any dressage users out there that can help???

[BeachRiding]

Sorry I cant help re the dressage saddle but your American one sounds lovely. I will need to google it, is it similar to an Aussie Endurance/stock saddle, ? I have been looking at these, however, I dont know how the fit would go on a 16.2 middleweight warmblood? any advice BeachRiding, oops, sorry dont want to take away from your topic, any dressage users out there that can help???
Hi, mines a Sharon Saare endurance. I don't know how it differs between the ones over there. I don't know about fit, but its an A tree built for narrower horses.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/willielove/DSC00008.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/willielove/DSC00015.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/willielove/DSC00013.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/willielove/DSC00018.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/willielove/DSC00024.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/willielove/DSC00006.jpg

[Camyds]

That looks sooo comfy.....rite, I am away to put my boy on a diet!!!:eek: Do they make tham in wider fittings??/:o


DRESSAGE SADDLE ADVICE STLL NEEDED GUYS!!!:cool:

[No_Angel]

I think that our conformation dictates the best saddle to use as well as the horses.

It could be that your conformation is suited to a jumping saddle, and you could find a dressage saddle uncomfortable, but you could then sit in a dressage saddle and say I can't believe I thought the jumping saddle was comfortable!

Other than that there is no real advantage to a dressage saddle unless you are doing a lot of schooling.

[andreaB]

if you are going to concebtratemainly on flatwork i would definately say a dressage saddle would be beneficial , a good dressage saddle can certainly help you achieve a good position & should free the horses shoulder

if you are a first time user some of the more exoensive types may seen too restrictive for you , eg big blocks , deep seats , however imo some of the cheaper ones are barely a dressage saddle & don't offer an awful lot of support, eg the wintec 500 dressage , i good budget option imo is the ideal jessica , depends on what level you ride to & how much you intend to spend really

ps , i happen to have a very nice albion legend 5000 that my horse has grown out of if you happen to be interested , 17.5" MW fit

second hand can be a good option if you are on a budget too , i recently bought a new saddle & the saddlery had albion slk's that cost £1500+ at about £1000 second hand

[BeachRiding]

That looks sooo comfy.....rite, I am away to put my boy on a diet!!!:eek: Do they make tham in wider fittings??/:o


DRESSAGE SADDLE ADVICE STLL NEEDED GUYS!!!:cool:
http://www.sharonsaaresaddles.com/ :)


thanks everyone! :D

[Gruntfuttock]

I thought you were into jumping, BR? Dressage saddles are lovely for flatwork and very comfortable for hacking, but pretty dire for jumping.

Another poster mentioned taking your own conformation into account when shopping for a dressage saddle - I have large thighs which makes some of the more "extreme" saddles on the market quite unsuitable as i simply don't fit into them !! I do like the more deep-seated ones, but the ones with huge knee and thigh blocks can be a nightmare.

These days i make do with a straighter-cut WH saddle !

[BeachRiding]

jumping? haha, no not really, I would love to some day but have no confidence in that! :o Main reason I have a jumper saddle is because it is VERY comfy and Roz is a jumper... :pInteresting what you say about dressage saddles not being suitable for you because of a large thigh, I am sure you are not as big as me, my thighs are huge so..... Guess it kinda rules that out! :) thanks!

Guess I will just try and sell my saddle and pocket the money to pay a couple months board! :)

[x x Summer x x]

I have just bought a thorowgood dressage saddle, its a good shape for those who are on the larger side, moveable knee rolls etc so can fit to shape.

It puts me right in position as well, I do want a GP for jumping but otherwise Im pleased I bought it, and it looks good too

[JustJas]

I love the dressage tree it really makes you sit straight and gives a great contact witgh your horse.
My saddle had to be custom made as no off the shelf fitted Jazz.
I had a VSD saddle created on a dressage tree.

OH has an endurance saddle on Kizzy but says my saddle is much comfier!