This forces the rider's pelvis to tilt forwards onto the pubic bone, positioning the seat-bones against the forwards flow of the horse's movement, and forcing the lumbar back - of both human and, as a consequence, horse - to become hollow and compressed.
These two pictures show the difference between the deep-seated saddle that forces the rider into a fork seat with a hollow lumbar back top photo , and a well-designed Strada dressage saddle bottom photo which allows the rider to correctly touch the pelvis, achieving the right alignment with the horse's back and connection with the movement.
In terms of security in the saddle, the only thing that can give you that is a truly independent seat which is gymnastically engaged with the horse's movement. This comes as a result of patient strengthening and suppling of your body through correct riding.
It has absolutely nothing to do with sitting in a deep trough of a saddle which, as described above, in fact only prevents you from developing a good seat. Incidentally, a horse who is calm and happy as a result of a healthy lifestyle is also a lot less challenging to the rider in terms of security in the saddle.
Another product of the same philosophy of dressage saddles fixing the rider into place are over-sized knee or thigh blocks, sometimes of gargantuan proportions photo, right , meant to hold the rider's thigh back in position. If, when you ride, your leg is only kept in place because it is pushed up against the knee block, then its position is serving absolutely no purpose in gymnastic terms, because it is not your own muscles that are keeping it in place and it therefore has no independence.
Your leg only gains independence and effectiveness when you make the physical effort to keep it in position yourself. We spent many years trying different dressage saddles in the quest for one that we felt truly fitted both our horses and our way of riding, until by great good fortune we discovered Strada Saddles. The first time we tried them we couldn't believe the amount connection and transmission with the horse compared to other saddles.
We only recommend them on our site because they truly are a great asset to both good riding and horse comfort. We have used only these saddles on our horses, of many shapes and sizes, for well over ten years with not one saddle-related problem. Not only do Stradas have a seat design that is basically flat, allowing the correct seat position, but their unique tree design, using carbon fiber and wood, gives unsurpassed fit to the horse.
This is because the tree is not 'bent' into a hollow banana-like shape as so many dressage saddles are, but instead it sits flat onto the horse's back, with the thermo-reactive panels perfectly molding to the horse's shape. This is in fact one of the great disadvantages of traditional wool flocking in saddle panels: over time the flocking takes on the unevennesses of the horse who wears it, making it all the harder for the rider to address both their own and the horse's crookedness.
Even with periodic re-flocking it is very difficult to ensure symmetry. Strada saddles have panels made of a specialist high-density foam that softens to a muscle-like consistency with the body heat of the horse, moulding to its shape, but always returning to their original symmetry. In the same way that in Holistic Equitation, everything fits together to create a positive circle that supports a fundamentally caring intention, a similar negative cycle happens when the underlying intention is ego-based.
When dressage is about creating a superficial 'picture' in order to gain ever-higher scores and greater approval, then all of the equipment associated with it becomes tailored to that one purpose - including double bridles, spurs, and deep-seated dressage saddles.
The rider who blocks the movement with a powerful bit also needs to block their seat against against it, because there is no transmission coming from behind to 'feed' and support the correct seat position. If instead you put your own feeling of balance, connection and unity first then you will instinctively know what equipment will support you in that instead of hindering you, and your horse will appreciate the difference too.
The pages on HHT are so wide-ranging and interrelated that we strongly recommend you look at the site plan to find other subjects that may interest you, however here are some pages directly related to Dressage Saddles: Help or Hindrance? This saddle can be made to measure and is also possible to personalise. More info and stockists at albionengland. Colours: Black or brown Seat sizes: You can upgrade to a Pinerolo luxury calfskin soft leather covering on the saddle flaps and skirts.
Made on a hand-crafted wooden spring tree, this wool and felt panel system. The design promotes freedom of shoulder movement and allows the horse to stretch over his topline, lift his back and move the shoulders away from the saddle tree area.
The shape of the tree and the padded seat allow both male and female riders to find a comfortable and ergonomically correct position. The new soft knee roll provides support while allowing for a relaxed, free and efficient leg position. More info and stockists at amerigo-saddles.
Colours: Black, brown, tan or chestnut Seat sizes: This classically designed deep-seated dressage saddle is designed to promote a close contact feel, with seats at the centre point of gravity. It has a triple-padded seat and a large built-in knee roll that offers stability and promotes the correct position.
It is available on a range of wooden spring trees to cater for different builds of horses and maximise their shoulder movement.
The Avicii is available as a monoflap or dual flap saddle and is adjustable to ensure the optimal fit. It is also available in choice of five different leathers with optional coloured welting, stitching and an array of personalisation.
More info and stockists at amzsaddles. Colours: Black or brown Seat sizes: 0 This monoflap saddle is designed to allow you to transmit your aids cleanly and directly. It has a low profile shock-absorbing panel and a monoflap design that allows you to feel your horse, while the shape of the flap is designed to allow you to transmit your aids cleanly and directly. The moveable FlexiContourbloc provides support to stabilise your leg and eliminate lift and it has an adjustable ergonomic stirrup bar allows you to customise the saddle even further to complement your individual riding position.
More info and stockists at batessaddles. This saddle is made from fine full-grain leathers, with a wool-flocked panel and external knee blocks.
It has a classic deep seat, Y-system three-point girthing, and is also available with cantle and stirrup keeper badges to customise your look. For more info, stockists or to buy, visit cavaletticollection. This saddle is hand-crafted from high quality double leather, with calf skin-covered knee blocks. Higher at the front or back? Do they have an unusual dip in the front, middle or back?
Some saddles are not designed to sit on certain horses. A straighter panelled saddle would be more suitable to a horse with a flatter back, to ensure even pressure from the panelling the whole way down the back.
A severely incorrectly fitting saddle can cause major pain throughout your horse, resulting in abnormal and dangerous behaviour, such as bucking, rearing, bolting or napping.
Spinal pressure, shoulder restriction, balance issues, uneven musculature and nerve damage are all possible side effects of an incorrectly fitting saddle. Some of these side effects can lead to long term damage and many of them will result in an irregularly gated, stiff and uncooperative horse. The most knowledge people when it comes to saddles are saddle fitters, making them the best group of people to contact. Unfortunately, it is difficult these days to find a trustworthy saddle fitter, so it is important to ask people you know and trust, such as your coach or horsey friends, for their recommendations on the best saddles or saddle fitters.
Once you have received the recommendations, it is then in your best interest to complete some research on the recommendation you have been given, to gauge the suitability for your purposes. Just like horses, we are all built in different shapes and sizes. Dressage saddles are designed to place a rider in the general riding position: ear, shoulder, hip and heel all in line. Hence, why it is so crucial to understand what sort of saddle your body shape requires.
However differences will come with the build of the flap which could potentially need to be longer, shorter, straighter or more forward. I will come back to more details on flap options later. The saddle seat itself ultimately needs to be comfortable for you. That is something only you can decide no one else knows what you are feeling.
Riders need to find a seat that will allow them to find a natural balance some prefer more open and free, others prefer the reassurance and comfort of a closed seat for extra support.
For example and obvious reasons the gents tend to prefer a little more room too! Try different seat options and talk to your saddle fitter about it. Whether it a dressage, jump or GP you are likely to need the same seat size in each model, but as again with clothes, different brands can vary slightly so this is not a set in stone measurement.
And of course if you choose to lose or gain weight this is going to change the dynamics of how the saddle fits and feels as well. So the same seat size is not going to give the same feel or support in different models and sometimes these can be changed or mixed. It is not uncommon to make dressage saddles with GP cantles, many classical riders prefer a shallower seat and we have made these in the past to help Para riders with difficulty get on with high cantles.
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