Saddle Seat

[4everSaddleSeat]

Hi everyone. I posted this a long time ago and left for a while so I forgot if anyone does saddle seat. Do any of you guys do saddle seat out there? Thanks!

[galadriel]

jkcavanaugh has mentioned using cutback saddles, which it seems to me are for saddleseat--but I know nothing about the style, so :)

[4everSaddleSeat]

Not a lot of people ride saddle seat anymore. *sigh* It used to be very popular, but with almost everything it came and it is going, but I think will pick up in a couple years time. Hopefully. I am not the best saddle seat rider because the stable that I ride at aren't all that good. I am trying to find another, because you can only go so far at that one. :-)

[gottaridearacer]

I don't ride saddle seat, but I used to board at a barn that was really into it. Sadly, in my area, it has really been looked down upon. A lot of the trainers around here are very old school-- that is to say, they use harsh training methods. They have lost a lot of respect from others in the industry. Another thing is that the shows have very few competitors (the ones these trainers go to) and they boast about their success... reserve champion out of three riders for example. Though I don't ride saddle seat, I would like to see it earn back its respect in this area of the country. I guess there wasn't really a point to this post, but good luck to you.

[artemis]

I didn't even know what it was! Had to look it up in an equine dictionary.

[Melody]

what is it? lol

[Appaloosa]

Yeah what is it? I have never heard of it and i now quite a diverse lot of horsemen/women?
;) :p

[jwrcgc]

I have a 5 y.o. ASB that we showed lightly last year in country pleasure at the end of the season. We just put his show shoes on and will be taking a shot at the novice show pleasure division! First show is in about a month and I can't wait!!!! We show mostly at B rated shows, but may try out a couple of A shows this year, depending on how my boy does.
If anybody is interested in learning about saddleseat, do a websearch for american saddlebreds and there is tons of info out there.
Typically we ride in a cutback saddle and a full bridle, the clothes are different and no, we don't cut our horses tails, we don't chain or tie their legs together and we don't sit on their kidneys. there are a ton of myths out there about the training that goes on with the ASB and show horses in general. I beg you to please educate yourselves properly about this absolutely wonderful breed of horse and a really fun and exciting way to ride. Once you try an ASB, you may never go back!!!
Jenn

[grayarabgirl]

Hi, was reading previous posts about saddleseat and just wanted to comment that I have been taking saddleseat lessons and love it. I have been riding hunt seat and learned the balanced seat so it isn't much different to me except that when the horse is 'in gait' the reins may be held slightly higher. I don't know if you guys ride saddleseat that way, it depends on how high the horse's head is carried (referring to the American Saddlebred). I am seriously thinking of riding my future Arabian offspring in saddleseat equitation, and since I'm a novice, will only show here locally until I improve enough to go to a higher level. It is quite fun, and there are those myths about training methods that give it a bad rap.

[Katie_85]

I ride gaited Saddleseat and love it! Soooo comfy! And no, we do not sit on the kidneys, quite the contrary. Cutback saddles allow you to sit almost perfectly in the rider's groove. I have recently taken up trying to master Walking Seat Equitation, and lemme tell ya', it ain't easy! No knee rolls, no pommel, barley a cantle, basically bareback with stirrups! ;)

[grayarabgirl]

Hi Katie_85; are you referring to walking horses? If so, I just bought an 11 year old walking horse gelding 2 weeks ago to ride here in my indoor arena and on my farm. It's quite a relief from the posting I must say!! My boy is a gentleman, and is very smooth. I will be using the saddleseat on him also. Do you show? I am training for a local upcoming show; just walk, trot, but it will be my first!! I'm 38 and am very encouraged as my instructor is in her late 50's and you would think she is 20. Anyway, we are moving south in a few years when my hubby retires. I've been to Pensacola and love it. Also heard there are lots of horses in Florida.

[Katie_85]

grayarabgirl: Congratulations! As they say: "Ride With Pride. On A Tennessee Walking Horse. So yes, I am definitely referring to Walking Horses. Yes, I do show. On a lovely six year old gelding. Remember, in walking horses there is no walk/trot. I would be interested to know exactly what the class you are showing in. I usually compete in English pleasure classes on Goober (the horse I referred to) or trail pleasure, or racking, depending on what horse I'm riding. Yes, there are indeed lots of horses here. Lots of variety, although I will admit it sometimes seems that the HJ people are taking over! :D

[grayarabgirl]

Katie_85, I need to clarify myself. I do not show walking horses. I am going to show my instructor's saddlebred. I only ride my walking horse here on the farm to give me stress relief from the posting done on the saddlebreds and Arabians!! Sorry not to clarify. I am going to show possibly June 7th depending on work schedules and if I don't chicken out!! I am only going to show the saddlebred in an academy adult class show to prepare me for the years to come when I hope to be able to show my Arabs.

[Katie_85]

Sounds like good fun, the show and all. Have you considered showing your Walker? Depending on where you are at there might be some sort of local club that holds shows for fun. And yes, they are a great relief from a trotty horse! :)

[grayarabgirl]

I actually hadn't ridden anything other than a trotting horse until recently and I was hooked. My gelding is REAL laid back; he is not a fast horse, and he doesn't get his head up really high in his running walk. As far as I understand, don't the judges want that animated, high head? He is a very good horse to gain confidence on though, which is why I bought him. I have thought about showing him locally, but you have to understand that it is walking horse central here in Kentucky. Actually, I would love to show my walking horse, lol; want to do too many things!! But I am really preparing for, as I mentioned earlier, showing my future Arabs. My mares were too old, greenbroke, and set in their ways to send back to the trainer, and were only used as broodmares, but they are gentle enough to ride in my arena for practice. They are my favorite breed although I think I'm getting hooked on my new gelding since he is such a gentleman. By the way, what type of bit are you using on your walker, a walking horse bit?

[Katie_85]

Oh believe me, I've heard how that Walking Horse thing goes up there! Not all classes want animation. Actually trail pleasure classes do not want animation at all. Just a nice, smooth gait that is a pleasure to ride on the trail . Or maybe just a class for fun. The gelding I ride is not mine unfortunately, he belongs to the barn. Here's a shot of us: Goober (http://gloverenterprises.com/images/A_Campaign_Promise.JPG) I know my postion was horrible, but I didn't know she was taking the picture at that particular second! lol His bit is like a Walking Horse bit, it has I think a 5 inch shank but the mouthpiece itself is broken into three pieces with a copper roller in the middle. I do love that bit because I can always feels his mouth without worrying about a curb effect.

[grayarabgirl]

I will send you a pic of my walker when I can get the size reduced. The horse you ride is lovely! My horse carries himself somewhat like that in your picture. I have been using only a snaffle bit with a cavesson on him because he had not been ridden in about 3 years, although his previous owner told me he accepts a curb. I have a walking bit here but it has 9 1/2" shanks, but I am going to begin using the double bridle on him since I have to use it on the saddlebred, and it will be good practice. I understand in walking horse shows, a double bridle isn't allowed. I think my horse definitely needs to have a curb bit to bring his head up slightly while gaiting; a snaffle is fine for the arena, but I need a little more control out in the open, just in case he gets too excited. I haven't ridden with curb bits a lot, because in hunt seat I always used a snaffle with contact.

[Katie_85]

9 1/2 seems like way too much. Try a search for different walking horse bits and see if you can find a compromise. Don't get me wrong, I'm an amateur, and I've not dealt with the horse to know, but in general I hate to see big bits like that. There are many bits that have a shank, but a broken mouthpiece, just go with what works. I've never seen a double bridle on a walking horse. I'm curious, what does your instructor say? :)

[grayarabgirl]

The bit isn't mine, it belonged to someone who came over and rode their own walker. I think it's too much also, that's why I'm not using it. Right now, I think we're going to go with a pelham bit either with straight or broken mouthpiece. Since we're only going to an academy show, she says it will be fine. Also, I could use a pelham on my Arabs so I will find out for sure this week which bit she wants me to use. She has so many different bits.

[grayarabgirl]

Katie_85 Just spoke with my instructor via e-mail and she says we will use a Weymouth with a curb chain.

[Katie_85]

That sounds like it would work. And has to be better than shanks that you could steer with!