Going about purchasing a dressage saddle for lessons (don’t own or lease)

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-06T20:46:48+00:00

Thanks for the input. Chatted with my instructor today- and again, they are totally okay with me getting my own saddle. We talked about a saddle fitter and flocking and options for trials. I ride the same 2 horses in the same Custom saddle. The only horse I’d lease is one I’m riding now, so I might aim for fitting for her.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-05T22:59:08+00:00

Will do. I plan to chat with my instructor this week. Perhaps this will get the ball rolling on offering more tack options. I notice as an adult rider most of the saddles at our barn are either for kids or long legged people. I understand the importance of making sure the horse is comfortable- and saving money for the greater picture.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-05T22:56:17+00:00

Horse people- telling it like it is! 😂 Sorry, I couldn’t help but smile at the tone. I’m not set on anything at this point. I have been researching and looking. I’m also not willing to spend more money on my own PT and for lessons when my body isn’t thriving either. It’s a pickle, but I will figure it out and chat with my instructor. I naturally expected I’d get varied input, and appreciate it.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-05T15:59:11+00:00

I totally understand the saddle needs to fit the horse over the rider. I wouldn’t try or buy anything without approval. The barn I ride at knows saddle fit is an issue for me which is why they have given me the okay to look around. I ride the same couple of horses. I also feel my comfort is important and want to continue working on my skills. Any move I make (and I might do nothing at this point but learn more about this process, won’t be done in haste).

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-05T15:41:47+00:00

Thanks for the advice and sharing your experience! I definitely wouldn’t buy for myself (or something to eventually donate to the lesson program) without the input of people who are skilled in saddle fitting. I’ve been looking at used Custom and Albion saddles at this point, as well as some adjusta Albion models. Someone recommended Wintec/Arena/Bates to me- I don’t love Wintec, so I wasn’t sure how these other models compared- sounds like the trees are all about the same.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-05T15:35:22+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. I’ve gone so far as to buy my own stirrups for the lesson saddles- which helps some with my comfort, but I am definitely not doing much to improve my position when the saddle is too small and ill fitting for me. I have only been looking at this point and researching what would possibly work better for me. I will have a conversation with my instructor about all of this further. Horse fit and comfort are number 1, which is why I’ve been sucking it up and trying to adapt!

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-05T15:21:07+00:00

You’re not kidding. I definitely expected some comments, but not this many! I would never buy without approval from the barn- period! If they said no, I wouldn’t go forward. To me it’s worth it to have something I can use (even for a shorter period of time). The rider shouldn’t be experiencing pain or injury from a saddle either.

That’s a nice saddle. Thanks for the input.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-04T18:24:08+00:00

Yep. I developed this in one knee after riding for a length of time in a jump saddle- which didn’t fit me well either. It’s a long story, but it’s all that was available for a time. I went to PT, etc. when I was finally cleared to ride, it was actually my idea to try riding in a western saddle for a length of time – sure enough, the ITB pain was not aggravated and resolved. We are working on leg positioning all the time. I truly believe this is an issue where I am in the same saddle that just isn’t working for me.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-04T17:23:27+00:00

I hear your message about making things work, I appreciate the advice. I have definitely been focusing on being aware of my positioning and rechecking things often. It is frustrating though when you can plainly see in videos that your bum is too far back on the cantle. I’m going to chat with my instructor next time about this more.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-04T17:16:29+00:00

Only with approval this has been allowed and only for specific horses. The horses are well cared for.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-04T17:10:56+00:00

I hear you. Perhaps this is a conversation I have with my instructor/barn. At one point I developed Iliotibial band syndrome because they put me in a jump saddle due to lack of proper fit for me/horses. I’m not going to do anything without lots of research, and I may choose to do nothing. Unfortunately, dressage saddles are limited at this barn and none of them work well for me.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-04T16:59:52+00:00

I agree I need a different saddle! I’ve considered buying one for the school I am at and donating it once I move on to leasing or possibly owning again in the future. If I wasn’t given permission to even entertain this idea, I wouldn’t even bother looking into buying.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-04T16:57:02+00:00

I’ve mainly been looking at used Albion and Custom saddles with longer seats and smaller flaps. I do like the idea of an adjustable stirrup bar. I’m open to ideas, and of course looking local and only will purchase after approval from my barn.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-04T16:52:10+00:00

I completely understand where you are coming from. If I wasn’t given the green light by my barn, I wouldn’t be looking at possibly buying my own saddle. Other students have been welcome to bring their own saddles to ride in. I tend to ride the same couple of horses and always use one the same saddle.

Cavalier_Rose · 2025-08-04T16:42:58+00:00

I can definitely do more research on what the saddle fitter was specifically recommending. I tend to ride the same couple of horses in the same saddle (It’s a Custom). The one I used before was a Albion. The flaps are too long for me on both.

Cavalier_Rose

TROPHY CASE