Close Contact Saddle

[Elvengirl]

I'm in the process of purchasing a saddle. I was just wondering what others opinions would be on the varying seat depths. I am interested in a saddle labelled as having a flat seat. I am currently jumping about .90 at shows 1.10 at home, is a flat seat better for me than say, the same model in a medium or deep seat? I would also like to hack in this saddle a bit, but I do have my other saddle with a deeper seat for flatwork, if needed. It's all very confusing to me! Just wondering what others ride in when showjumping/hunting. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum btw!

[casey]

It depends on 2 things, Comfort and your size.

1. You have to feel comfortabel in it.

2. My close contact, has a deep seat. This gives me more security, and because I have a big ass :D feels comfortable.

Some people such as your self like the flat seat. I cant get along with them.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

Personally i like to have a little deeper of a seat... mostly because the saddle would be used for flatwork, hacking and jumping though.

[cvb]

Casey - isn't a close contact with a deep seat a contradiction in terms ? My understanding of the concept of close contact was that it was about keeping the rider as close to the horse as possible, hence the "flat" seat with very little padding to it.

I've ridden in close contact (flat) saddles and found that you do get much more of a feel of the horse. I have, however, decided that for my mare (my) security is more of a priority. She's really green in terms of jumping, and very cautious. Oh - and also very fast ;) - so I think I might spend more time out of a close contact than in it :rolleyes:

But for a horse with more knowledge and experience, and a rider with good independent seat and good feel - I'd certainly take a good look at close contact.

[casey]

cvb, I have ridden in both the flat and deep seat, and have found no difference in how 'close' to the horse I feel. I just find the deep seat supports me a little better.:)

[cvb]

Casey - i think you missed the point ? "Close contact" is a specific style of saddle. And by definition I think it has to be a "flat" seat.

I have ridden in a close contact saddle and it was a lovely ride and I could see the reason for the design. Just not with my mare :eek:

[Elvengirl]

Thanks for the feedback. I do feel more comfortable in a flat seat over fences etc. and I do have my older saddle to use for flatwork if needed. I just hope I don't fall off easier, but I guess I will find that out soon enough ;)

[casey]

Originally posted by cvb
Casey - i think you missed the point ? "Close contact" is a specific style of saddle. And by definition I think it has to be a "flat" seat.

What point? Make a point and i'll see if its been missed. I have copied a link to the saddle I ride in.http://www.sederholmselected.co.uk/pages/saddles1set.htm

You can see for yourself;)

[cvb]

er... as per my (two) previous posts, the point is that "Close contact" is a specific style of saddle. And by definition I think it has to be a "flat" seat."

Your link pretty much shows that - the "half deep seat" saddle is effectively a hybrid. But even then it is pretty flat compared to a lot of saddle designs.

Though interestingly Horse and Hound (http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/products/330/57392.html) talk about a design where the close contact is from the panel and the example there has even deeper seat !

I'm struggling with the concept of having "close contact" panels but with deep seat - how on earth do you get one without compromising the other ? And none of the sites I can found actually have a decent explanation - they just use the phrase and expect you to accept it is so.:mad:

There is a story about how Rodrigo Pessoa tried a sopping wet saddle (from a fall the day before) and it conformed to his seat and so his close contact design was born... very romantic but low on detail....

[kedwards]

Here is a definition from the Andean Import site:

Close Contact
English close contact saddles are so named because in general, they allow riders to feel a closer contact with the horse moving under them. Close contact saddles are designed with minimal padding so that the rider's leg is always in contact with the horse. The forward flap allows the rider to have more of a bend in their leg to accommodate the position used over fences. Typically, these saddles are not meant for long periods of sitting deep. They are instead mainly used in sports involving jumping and other movements where the rider wants to sit lightly if at all to free the horses back for maximum effect.

Today's close contact saddles often feature wider seats and panels for greater comfort for horse and rider, along with subtle padding and knee or thigh rolls to increase security over fences.

[lucy badham]

Ill tell you one thing 6they make you feel much safer jumping! A horse i just sold had one and she made me feel unsafe as she threw herself about but when we got the new saddle it felt much better. There not very good for flat work as you tend to sit queit far back in the saddle and length of stirrups etc need to be different because of the shape. But i deffinatley recommend one!