POINT OF VIEW
By Jochen Schleese, CMS, CSFT, CSE
Swapping Dressage and Jumping Saddles – Is it Okay?
at least—presuming that these are not necessarily regu- lar activities but rather just occasional ones—there should be no problem and there are no long-term ramifications. However, if you plan to make a particular discipline a regu- lar activity, there are many good reasons to choose a sad- dle specific to that discipline, both for your benefit and your horse’s.
T
Understanding the Differences A saddle’s center of balance (deepest point) varies for each saddle type and is determined by discipline as well as gen- der of the rider. A jumping saddle will always have the deepest point further back than the dressage saddle be- cause this accommodates the ability of the rider to balance in a normal seated position with shorter length stirrups. In a dressage saddle, the rider must be able to sit constantly balanced with her center of gravity aligned with that of the horse with longer length stirrups. Besides offering comfort for the rider, the saddle’s seat has a huge influence on that rider’s ability to sit properly and in balance, to be able to give good aids to the horse and to become one with the horse so that the exercises are harmonious. Even jumper riders need to exercise their horses in basic dressage—and to do this properly, it should
Photos courtesy Schleese Saddlery
he question was put to me recently whether or not it was harmful to jump in your dressage saddle or ride dressage in your jumping saddle. Theoretically
be done in a dressage saddle. (Of course I do recognize that it is a bit of an annoyance to have to switch saddles if you then want to train over jumps.) There are various interpretations and expectations as
to the term ‘seat depth’ all across the industry and in the various disciplines. Some people think seat depth sim- ply indicates how tightly the rider is positioned between saddle pommel and cantle. Others think that seat depth is more an indication of how close the rider actually feels to the horse in his seat, while maintaining enough freedom to move in both the front and back of the saddle. Regard- less of the different definitions, the rider should never be wedged into the saddle so that absolutely no movement is possible. Obviously, because of the length of time spent actually
‘in’ the saddle (dressage) vs. ‘on’ the saddle (jumping), there are many more considerations on fit to the rider for dres- sage. If the saddle is not comfortable for the rider, this dis- comfort will translate down to the horse and generally im- pede his comfort and ability to perform. Many more saddle manufacturers are finally taking the horse’s needs into consideration in their dressage saddle
ABOVE: The rider needs to align her center of gravity with that of the horse—and depending on the discipline and situation this will change and is supported by the choice of saddle.
Warmbloods Today 59
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68