What is the best Dressage Saddle?

[Ivanka]

Soon I'll be in the market for a new dressage saddle. I currently ride in a Wintec Isabell Werth and really would like to get something that fits me and my horses better...

In your opinion:

WHAT IS THE BEST SADDLE??

[Helen Ward]

Hi Ivanka,

I think the best saddle to ride in is the Bates Maestro I have had mine now for 3 years and love riding in it..It puts you in the correct positon as soon as you mount the horse..Also it doesnt have the deep seat like the Isabell so it doesnt hit you in the back when you are riding..So that makes for a much more comfortable ride..
But I guess everyone is diffrent. I guess you just have to try before you buy which is the best way to get the correct fitting saddle for you and your horse.. I know that Horseland used to bring out the saddles for you to try on your horse I'm not sure if they still do that or not..
Cheers
Helen

[Equine Elegance]

Take a visit to Horseland Underwood, they have a massive range of saddles and will find a saddle that fits you and your horse. Because they are a superstore they carry stock that normal Horseland stores don't and Graham is an excellent saddle fitter!

I have a wintec Isabell and love it but we are looking at a new saddle for my boy and will give my wintec to my sister... We are even thinking about staying with the isabell but the leather version... it all depends on whats best for him. What ever it is, it'll have a deap seat and knee blocks.

[mig]

does anyone have an idea of how the precieux compares to the isabel? ive heard the isabel it like riding in an armchair and makes rising difficult so not the best for lower levels or young horses. i've ridden in a precieux, i liked it alot because of the deep seet but the isabel is similar in this aspect. (plus the precieux is cheaper!) thanks! (sorry to take over the thread muahaha)

[Sa]

I have an isabell and it is just beautiful..... I have a t'bred, and it fits him lovley. We had the saddle fitter out, and it was natually the best fit for my horse, make sure you get a saddle that is suited to your horse as a starting point, that will narrow your options down.

[Ivanka]

I have an isabell and it is just beautiful..... I have a t'bred, and it fits him lovley. We had the saddle fitter out, and it was natually the best fit for my horse, make sure you get a saddle that is suited to your horse as a starting point, that will narrow your options down.

Exactly.. my Isabell fits perfectly on my Thoroughbred! However, I bought 2 non-thoroughbred horses and the saddle doesn't fit them... that's the exact reason why I am looking for something else..
I dont' have issues with the saddle on my thoroughbred, it sits really well and I like how I sit in it on him.

I dont' like it on my other horses, it restraints the shoulders too much and it pinches in their back, I am being tilted forward slightly and it pushes me off-balance

[DO]

Keiffer have always been an excellent saddle, unfortunately Saddleworld have done it no favours since they have had it.
Bates arent bad but be aware some Horselands are very pro bates, due to Ron Bates involvement with the franchise.
There are many diiferent saddles available through the Horseland underwood store, some with some pretty impressive price tags too. Graham and Tarcy are both very competent and carry a large range of saddles wih them you can try.
As for recomendations, what works for one dose'nt always work for another, so the best thing is to just suck it and see, and try a few till you find one that works.

[Tracie Ellis]

Ivanka,

I have had a lot of luck with the Trainer Jessica saddle which is distributed through Saddleworld stores. They come in standard, wide and now I think are making extra wide gullet sizes. They fit both my warmbloods & thoroughbreds beautifully. Ray at Ipswich is very helpful.