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| Moderated by: Brenda Im | Page: 1 2   |
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| Dressage Saddle question | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 11:51 am |
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1st Post |
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KentuckyMtnBo G.O.G Community Member
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Hi Everyone, I just bought a dressage saddle which I really like. I have a western for trail riding but my KMSH gaits better in the dressage and its so much lighter! I was wondering if anyone out there trail rides in a dressage saddle. I would like to but I'm just used to the western. Please let me know! Thanks a bunch! :o)
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 01:15 pm |
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2nd Post |
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TheBlaze G.O.G Community Member 
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I used to trail ride in my dressage saddle! It was so comfy! But, alas my horses have all outgrown it so I'm searching for a new one! Do you have a grab strap on it? That may help you to feel a little more comfortable on the trails if you have something to grab onto.
____________________ ~Tina Wishes are horses, and I fly! |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 01:30 pm |
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3rd Post |
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TessieBAgain G.O.G Community Member 
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Sure you can! Might not work well on extreme trail climbing but many folks find the dressage saddle easy on the knees and hips. And the horse enjoys the lighter weight and freedom of movement those ill fitting western saddles can prevent. Just be aware the saddle will not distibute the weight of a husky rider, and does not forgive a rider who lacks balance so some horses may exhibit back pain after a long trail ride in a dressage saddle. Lastly, the dressage saddle does lack all those fancy brass attachments long distance riders must have to attach gear. However, on those hour or two trail rides a nicely fitted dressage saddle is a dandy ride for sure!
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 03:11 pm |
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4th Post |
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KentuckyMtnBo G.O.G Community Member
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Thank you for your help. I only go on one or two hour rides. Most of my riding is on the roads around my house and no extreme trail riding. I've only ridden in a western so its like a security blanket. Comparing the two saddles though, I almost feel more secure in my dressage because I feel held in whereas my western is more slick and open. I would like to get away from my western saddle completely. I do know that my horse likes the dressage saddle better than the western; even though the western saddle fits him, he bobs his head up and down when I gently put the saddle on his back. With the dressage saddle, he stands quietly while I tack him up.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 03:28 pm |
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5th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member 
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Hey there, have you thought about Brenda's endurance saddle with skirts? It has the narrow stirrup leathers and dressage shaped flaps/skirts. It also gives you a secure feeling and a deep seat. I ride one and would consider little else. Of course we all know they aren't cheap & it may not be in the budget right now, but once you get one you'll wonder how you got along without it.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 10:04 pm |
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6th Post |
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karenlexsc G.O.G Community Member 
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I totally agree with Lakota. I love my 4 Beat endurance with stirrup leathers. My DH has the western 4 beat and he loves it. To me its heavy (for me) and the horn is in my way getting on and getting off! We all have our preferences, but thank goodness Brenda makes both styles plus the endurance with fenders. I wonder if she'd ever make a cutback or saddleseat saddle for us that show? Talk about uncomfortable (for me) !!!! Thank goodness I only have to be in it for a short time.
____________________ Karen No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill |
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20th, 2010 11:16 am |
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7th Post |
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TheBlaze G.O.G Community Member
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The endurance IS extremely comfortable! I ride my non-gaited horses in it too! I keep hoping GOG will make english saddles as well. Although I'm pushing for a dressage saddle!
____________________ ~Tina Wishes are horses, and I fly! |
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| Posted: Wed Oct 20th, 2010 05:26 pm |
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8th Post |
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SunnysMum G.O.G Community Member 
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I used to use my old English AP saddle all the time for trail before I sold it and moved onto a treeless, then I sold that mistake (should have kept the AP English Saddle) and got an Aussie. personally I love the Aussie the most of all the saddles I've had (And even went through couple western ones) but I am now going back to an English AP saddle and leaving my Aussie for Trail. But then I was jumping the other day in my Aussie and it worked just fine. I am waiting though with as they say "with baited breath" for Brenda to come out with her "English Saddle" for us.
____________________ Chi ha tegoli di vetro, non tiri sassi al vicino |
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21st, 2010 04:48 pm |
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9th Post |
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Equinas G.O.G Community Member 
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What I'd really love it a dressage saddle with the weight distributing properties of a western saddle. Brenda?
____________________ Linda |
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21st, 2010 08:40 pm |
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10th Post |
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KentuckyMtnBo G.O.G Community Member
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Ok, your comments bring me to another concern. Since dressage saddles don't distribute weight evenly, how can I make sure my horse doesn't get a sore back? There are many people who never ride in a western saddle, how do they keep their horses' backs from getting sore? Still learning about the English style of riding. Thank you! 
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22nd, 2010 01:31 am |
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11th Post |
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TheBlaze G.O.G Community Member
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A good dressage saddle will properly distribute a rider's weight. But, I think finding the saddle that fits both you and your horse is extremely difficult to do. I'm in the process of doing it now!
____________________ ~Tina Wishes are horses, and I fly! |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22nd, 2010 04:46 am |
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12th Post |
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SunnysMum G.O.G Community Member
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Equinas wrote: What I'd really love it a dressage saddle with the weight distributing properties of a western saddle. Brenda? Though I am sure some would dissagree, the closest you would get for a dressage saddle with the weight distribution of a western. It would be an Australian Saddle. Deep Seat and Flaps of a Dressage, with the Horn (or they also come hornless) and weight distribution etc of a western.
____________________ Chi ha tegoli di vetro, non tiri sassi al vicino |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22nd, 2010 12:44 pm |
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13th Post |
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KentuckyMtnBo G.O.G Community Member
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Ok, I bought a Marcel Tolouse dressage saddle. It fits me and my horse perfectly. I have good balance so can I assume its distributing my weight ok? I'm not riding treacherous trails with it (I'll save that for my western saddle) but will ride nice easy trails and do arena work. Another thing I like about the english saddles is that the saddle pads are so inexpensive - I can get one in every color! You all have been so very helpful. I need to visit this site more often. God bless all!
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22nd, 2010 04:35 pm |
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14th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member
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O.K. guys, a couple thoughts I have here... If you really want an english 4Beat all you need to do is get a couple good sized saddle rigging 'dees' and stitch and rivet down billets to them, run the 4Beat tie straps through them and tie off. You now have down billets on your 4Beat endurance saddle and all you need is the english girth of your choice. You can install your own irons if you want an english look and don't enjoy the comfort of the padded 4Beat stirrups. Wha la, you now have an english 4Beat. If you insist on riding inferior saddles (or can't afford the 4Beat) use a supracor pad under it. They are expensive, but way way cheaper than a new 4Beat and will help your horse have more freedom to move while still distributing your weight over a large surface area. It's just that simple.to1
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22nd, 2010 04:41 pm |
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15th Post |
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KentuckyMtnBo G.O.G Community Member
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There are a lot of good saddles out there that aren't 4Beat saddles; I wouldn't call all of them "inferior". I use a Classic Equine saddle pad under my Clinton Anderson saddle (made by Martin Saddlery) and in no way are these items inferior. Good suggestion otherwise.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22nd, 2010 04:53 pm |
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16th Post |
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TheBlaze G.O.G Community Member
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I'd be afraid to ruin the saddle by making those kind of adjustments to it. And it still wouldn't quite be the same. I use my 4beats on my non-gaited horses as well. And even in the endurance saddle, posting is not fun! Although, I find it easier to post in my newer endurance rather than my Amish endurance and they are the same seat size. Also, the 4beats are designed to be trail saddles. So the stirrups are set a little to far forward to put you in "correct" head, hip, heel alignment.
____________________ ~Tina Wishes are horses, and I fly! |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22nd, 2010 05:10 pm |
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17th Post |
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KentuckyMtnBo G.O.G Community Member
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I've never ridden in an endurance saddle. I know Brenda's saddles are excellent; I wish I would have known about them before I bought my CA saddle. Oh well, maybe that will be the next saddle I buy - or maybe sell the CA and get a 4Beat!
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22nd, 2010 08:46 pm |
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18th Post |
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Equinas G.O.G Community Member
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The endurance 4beat with English leathers is in my future, but if one wishes to do any showing in dressage, an actual dressage saddle (an all-purpose is acceptable for lower levels as well) is a necessity. It is certainly possible to get a well-fitted dressage saddle. My concerns with weight-bearing properties is due primarily to being a plus-sized rider, but in general, I still think a larger bearing surface would be a great improvement in English saddles. Unfortunately, the USDF rules disallow endurance and Aussie saddles specifically. Rats.
____________________ Linda |
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24th, 2010 03:23 am |
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19th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member
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I must remind everyone that we are not allowed to mention the brand names of other saddles on this board. That said, I'm not putting down any other make of saddle, but they are inferior in the fact that they lack all of the features that make the 4Beat the great piece that it is. Primarily the flexable bars, their shape that allows them to be on the shoulder & thus more forward to the horses center of gravity, the far superior Supracor padding under them, not to mention the web suspended leather ground that also has Supracor padding for the rider, and the forward stirrups that put you in the correct position to enhance the horses gait. No other saddle on the planet has every one of these features. Blaze, this english conversion doesn't make any adjustments to the saddle, you just run the tie straps through nothing more than a 'girth converter' on each side. Of course if you are showing they have all kinds of rules you have to play by or you can't show so you're stuck with using a different saddle. English rigging can be a whole lot faster to saddle up with than running each tie strap around and tieing off though so do what you like best. Just thought I'd share some ideas that I bet nobody thought to try.
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| Posted: Mon Oct 25th, 2010 01:01 pm |
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20th Post |
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KentuckyMtnBo G.O.G Community Member
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I apologize to Brenda and the Board for mentioning the brand of my saddles; I was unaware. I know the 4Beat is a wonderful saddle, hopefully one day I can buy one.
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