Dressage saddles

Well my horse has grown out of his dressage saddle, it is just an Agrentine leather saddle, comfy, with a spring tree that alas is not adjustable. He is a typical TB with a high wither and muscle wastage (that is reducing over time ). He would need a medium to medium wide gullet. I have my eye on an Albion. Has anyone got one or ridden in one? Any other thoughts on good dressage saddles?
Cheers[8D]

Buy a jumping saddle or a close contact one? Sorry, don't do dressage saddles, altho' we have a number of extra GP saddles.

Diane

I've long liked the Collegiate, changable gullet like the Bates and apparently fits TBs well.

What fun - new saddles are exciting.

Why would I buy a jumping saddle for dressage? My GP is just fine for jumping in.

Cheers, Wino.

Have just been looking at the Kieffer saddles in the UK, and comparing the prices to new here. I think it's actually cheaper to buy an air ticket and fly to the UK, buy your saddle and bring it back than it is to buy one here. Might try and find out how much they are in Germany, no doubt plenty cheaper again!

Cuz I much prefer jumping to dressage, hence my recommendation My absolute fave type of saddle is a close contact, no knee roll, and from what I see, becoming rarer than hen's teeth

Diane

But you have to do flat work to jump well! Of course you don't have to do it in a dressage saddle..... I was thinking that I was doing fine in just a GP, but find that a dressage saddle just makes it much easier when you need to be more precise with your aids.

KN's are comfy & seem to fit withered horses OK. I've heard good things about Anke's. I have an Isobel but the horses don't seem to like the cair much, but it is very easy on the backside

How about trying a Citori,9they have a good website and there are a few around second hand now,personally i would never ever buy a bates or cair type saddle again, albions are lovely but verry expensive. They would be my pick anyway

My GP is a citori and whilst it is a lovely saddle, it has been a nightmare - due mainly to sales process. I like a deeper dressage saddle, something you can really sit into. Not interested in Cair saddle, like spring tree's. Citori are hugely expensive too, esp when combined with the continual maintenance they need and the fitting etc etc.

oskatd;260612 wrote: But you have to do flat work to jump well! Of course you don't have to do it in a dressage saddle..... I was thinking that I was doing fine in just a GP, but find that a dressage saddle just makes it much easier when you need to be more precise with your aids.

That's actually why I like the flat-flapped, no-knee-roll close contacts of the days of yore.

I honestly have no clue as to what dressage saddles might be better than others. In general, I've always found Stuebbens to be comfortable, well made, and fit a variety of horses. I've used their GP, jumping and close contacts over the years. I rode, once, in a Wintec dressage (going back decades now, when Wintec was the new kid on the block)--wasn't overly thrilled with it.

One question--are you looking for a training saddle or a show saddle?

Diane

I have a lovely GP leather saddle I brought across from Aussie, both E & I enjoy riding in it, but it doesn't fit our nags. I haven't found a saddle since that fits me so well....

Fhoenix Treeless all the way now. We have both the GP and Dressage and it is bliss being able to change between horses and when the horses change their shape not having to change saddles. They are accepted for competing in as they look like a nornal treed saddle.

If you don't want treeless we were pretty happy with a Trainers Baron and a friend of ours has just got a County saddle fitted to her Hanoverian

Treeless only good for lightweight riders, I've heard....

As much as I like the idea of treeless, I've yet to see one which I believe won't do damage to the horse's spine. They all seem to have the stirrups attached one way or another, to a wide strip that sits right across the horse's back. NOT good!

As for dressage saddles, I ADORE Kieffer!!!! I have long legs & an ample backside & find that the Kieffers just put me exactly where I need to be & fit me like a glove. Unfortunately, my last one doesn't fit my young horse so I'm now on the hunt for a new dressage saddle too & preferably another Kieffer if the budget will allow.

I'd recommend getting a saddle fitter out & seeing what fits your horse.

Glopony, I can't believe the cost of Kieffers here. I found a UK saddlery selling them for around 700 quid. They are over 5k here! Thats more than double...

Anyone imported a saddle?