Different Saddles for Different Disciplines

The most common are the dressage, general purpose, jump and cross- country saddles, but there are also endurance, showing, working hunter, VSD, Icelandic, polo, race exercise and race (both for the flat and for jump racing) and western, although I’ve probably still missed a few .

Why so many? Well, let’s concentrate on the most common ones listed at the start, says Master Saddler and Master Saddle Fitter Kay Hastilow.

Dressage saddles are usually manufactured with a deeper seat, straighter cut flaps and extended (longer) stirrup bars. This is so that the rider can sit in an upright position with a long stirrup leather that hangs straight down under their leg with their butt under them and legs back a little more than with most saddles, enabling a vertical line through shoulders, hips and heels. There is usually a large knee block to support the leg, but rarely a thigh block. Most dressage saddles have long girth straps which fasten to a short girth, so that the rider’s leg is close to the horse’s sides, unimpeded by girth buckles and the girth. The saddle encourages you to ride in an upright position with a strong leg contact to ride the horse forward into a good outline with the hocks really pushing the horse forward. That’s the plan, anyway!

The General Purpose is exactly that, something you could do most equestrian activities in without it impeding you, although you may find that this ‘jack of all trades’ is  ‘master of none‘ when you get beyond a certain level. However, a good G.P. saddle, perhaps with the emphasis on your favourite discipline is ideal for someone who hacks out and takes part in many activities at, say, Pony Club or Riding club level as you can lengthen or shorten your stirrups to suit the activity that you are taking part in and achieve some semblance of the position that you require. Some G.P.s these days have moveable knee and thigh blocks and these do help you to put the support where you need it, for which ever discipline you are taking part in at the time.  

Jump Saddles are designed for use mainly when show jumping, although there are as many different thoughts on what the design should be as there are days in the year. They allow you to shorten your stirrups without your knee going over the front of the flaps, which would alter your body position so that you are more ‘over the point of balance’ at all times. When I was jumping (okay, it was 40 years ago) I rode in something similar to the Pennwood lightweight. On a sloping head tree (the points were angled forward so that the rider’s leg wasn’t on them) These were a slightly dipped seat and the front of the panel had full length gussets to make a knee support, rather than an actual knee roll. Very comfortable and nice to jump in for the rider. Not so sure that the horses’ were so keen on the sloping head, as the ends of the tree points tended to hit the back of the horse’s shoulder. We knew no better then, but I wouldn’t be keen to use one now. Then came the Stubben Siegfried. A veritable bucket to sit in. Most top riders had something similar to this at one time or another.

Nowadays, the close contact is all the rage. Great for an experienced rider with good balance (and if your horse’s conformation will take such a saddle)  Not so good for a newbie showjumper without much balance or position. As they are unlikely to be jumping anything terribly big, they might want to stick with a more GP type saddle, but one with the emphasis on jumping, so that the flaps are a bit further forward to accommodate riding with shorter stirrups whilst having a bit more depth in the seat and larger knee blocks. Many close contact jumping saddles have foam or felt and foam in the panels. Whilst this is smooth and giving, it isn’t easy to adjust without major work (you can’t just add a little bit of flocking) and so, if they come down close to the withers (as often happens) you have to use a pad between saddle and horse to give clearance. Not always ideal !! 

Finally, the Cross-Country saddle. These tend to be on a flatter tree and further forward cut than a jump saddle as riders are encouraged to ride very short. This way, should the horse fall, especially a rotational fall, there is a good chance that the rider will be catapulted off and clear of trouble.  Often, these saddles have long girth straps to be used with a short girth, so that they can get closer to the horse’s sides. These saddles are lovely for riding at speed over the country, but you wouldn’t fancy doing a dressage test in one! As with the others, except the G.P, they are designed for a specific job and are best used for that. 

Whilst you are here, do watch the short trailer below for my two-part video series specifically for Riders and Trainers ...

Kay Hastilow’s Saddle Fitting Know How For Riders and Trainers is a two part video series, giving a fascinating, practical insight into saddles, correct fit and common problems.

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Available to stream and download anytime, each video costs just £35 and together, will provide a reference source that you’ll want to re-visit time and time again. Watch the short trailer above.