Whether you’re a professional equestrian aiming for an Olympic gold medal or an amateur horse rider, choosing a high-quality saddle is indispensable. Opting for the best dressage saddle is critical if you want to hone your dressage, hacking, general, or Western riding skills. The dressage saddle for a short-backed horse can be identified by its acutely straight-cut flap that helps the dressage rider firmly lodge his lower leg.
A dressage saddle that tends to be lengthier than a jumping horseback saddle enables the rider to perform by working exclusively on the flat without hop-over fences. Dressage saddles allow riders to park themselves comfortably and ride or perform tricks and feats effectively, thanks to the intense seat. Additionally, the minimal wadding of the flaps contributes to a better understanding and rapport with the horse.
You’ll invariably need a heavy-duty dressage saddle for optimal support and poise, whether a pro or a novice. On the other hand, selecting the top dressage saddle goes a long way in keeping the horse comfortable and relaxed.
In a hurry? This is our Winner!
Breyer Traditional Stoneleigh II Dressage Saddle
- Brand: Breyer
- Color: Black
- Weight: 3.2 ounces
- Style: Stoneleigh II Dressage Saddle
Why Opt for a Dressage Saddle?
All veteran horse riders, jockeys, and equestrians know that the right dressage saddle is the most vital link between horse and rider. So, it makes sense to want a saddle that fits perfectly, making you and your steed comfortable. Do not be fooled into buying a one-size-fits-all horseback saddle that, more often than not, could cause irreversible damage to the horse’s cartilage and backbone.
When you’re mounted on an ill-fitting saddle, the horse feels uneasy and uncomfortable, adversely affecting your riding experience. Continuing with an incompatible saddle can ultimately cause contracture of the horse’s muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Riding a horse with a mismatched saddle is like walking or jogging in incorrectly sized sneakers — optimal performance is compromised, you don’t feel right, and it can lead to injuries.
Always opt for a sturdy dressage saddle that gives you a pleasant riding experience and makes your mount feel safe and comfortable.
Best Dressage Saddles Comparing
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OUR TOP PICK
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Breyer Traditional Stoneleigh II Dressage Saddle |
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EquiRoyal Newport Dressage Saddle |
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SilverFox Dressage Saddle Set |
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Wintec Isabell Dressage Saddle |
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Henri de Rivel HDR Ventura Dressage Covered Saddle |
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Henri de Rivel Dortmund Dressage English Saddle |
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Thornhill Shannon Junior Dressage Saddle |
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7 Dressage Saddles Reviews for 2022
You have numerous options to choose from when it comes to dressage saddles. Reading the following reviews should help you to understand your options.
1. Henri de Rivel HDR Ventura Dressage Saddle
Henri de Rivel HDR Ventura Dressage Saddle has been ergonomically designed, keeping in mind the equestrian’s needs and comfort level.
This dressage saddle from Henri de Rivel has everything going for it, making it the top choice among all dressage saddles. This saddle has been made of genuine leather for a start, ensuring long-lasting performance and service. The flocked panels with synthetic wool enhance steadiness, check to slip, and boost rider comfort.
The reasonably deep seat enables the rider to accommodate their lower leg with more stability, thereby facilitating more comfortable riding. The Y Billets and the elegantly pronounced stitching keep the girth points in perfect alignment. The seat is layered with delicate, soft black leather and the masked knee blocks furnish steady support.
Features:
- High-quality leather covering
- Extended billet strips reinforced with nylon
- Broadened tree
- Masked knee block
- Soft black leather
- Excellent knee rolls
- Designed to fit
2. Breyer Traditional Stoneleigh II Dressage Saddle
The Traditional Stoneleigh II Dressage Saddle from Breyer is extremely popular with dressage riders and equestrians, thanks to its elegance and intense seat.
Professional horse riders appreciate this Breyer dressage saddle owing to its robustly stitched woolly padding. Moreover, this dressage saddle’s USP is crafted from high-quality leather that is 100% natural. This saddle pairs perfectly with mares and stallions, having a throat size of 7 inches, which provides stable bridle maneuverability.
Conversely, this saddle’s flap measures approximately 15 inches, which implies that the rider has more leeway in perching more steadily and comfortably. Breyer has firmly established and entrenched its goodwill in the market for equestrian supplies as it has been manufacturing for over 70 years. Breyer is also renowned worldwide for making top-notch model horses, and the Traditional Series of dressage saddles reflects the firm’s impeccable craftsmanship.
Features:
- Good knee rolls facilitate comfortable positioning of legs
- Very flexible
- Extremely versatile
- Highly resistant to wear and tear
3. EquiRoyal Newport Dressage Saddle
Corded and jointed bridle, quilted padding, good girth web, and stirrup pads are some unbeatable features that make the EquiRoyal Newport Dressage Saddle a good buy.
This Newport dressage saddle from EquiRoyal is very pocket-friendly, offering you another practical reason to choose this product. EquiRoyal has a reputation for manufacturing saddles that are pretty affordable and performance-oriented at the same time. The saddle’s classic appeal will surely attract your attention, and its deep seat ensures you never lose your equilibrium or control.
The built-in flexible girth points on the tree facilitate your steed’s shoulders’ free and unhindered movement. This Newport dressage saddle comes with U-shaped long billets, guaranteeing a customized fit. The saddle’s innovative and ergonomic design will surely enable the equestrian to hone their dressage skills, regardless of their experience level.
Features:
- Saddle with a very recessed seat
- Flexible girth points
- U-shaped billets
- Quilted cotton padding
- Girth-web
- Close-contact saddle
4. Silver Fox Dressage Saddle Set
Shaped out of premium-grade black leather, the Silver Fox Dressage Saddle sports a deep seat, cutback head, and extended flaps with moderate padding for enhanced support control.
This dressage saddle set by Silver Fox comes with a quilted cotton pad, stirrup pads, leathers and irons, laced snaffle reins, and dressage girth. So, you do not need to buy any accessories separately to use this saddle fairly. If you’re still learning the ropes (of dressage), you don’t need to look any further.
This Silver Fox Dressage Saddle package includes a padded flap, knee rolls, medium tree, D-rings on the pommel, two nylon billets, billet guards, and safety stirrup bars. You can bet that this saddle will sit nicely on your horse owing to its standardized seat and 16-inch flaps. The glossy black leather adds to its aesthetics and imparts a luxurious look.
Features:
- Intuitive knee rolls
- Cushioned flaps
- Sinuous leather saddle
- Safety stirrup bars
- D rings on the pommel
- Medium tree
5. Wintec Isabell Dressage Saddle CAIR
With more than four decades of expertise in promoting premium saddles, Wintec is one of the most recognized saddle manufacturers in the US.
The Isabell dressage saddle features an ultra-soft flocked panel meticulously designed to match your horse’s backbone profile. The deep-seated saddle, together with the soft and flexible panel, offers excellent leeway in movement. This CAIR dressage saddle from Wintec has been designed conscientiously to cater to beginners’ needs willing to specialize in dressage.
Features:
- Shaped out of quality synthetic materials; incredibly hardy
- The ergonomic design of the flaps and stirrup bar enables smooth movement
- Wide seat and girth points offer sufficient horse leeway during galloping and gaiting
- Medium tree
6. Henri de Rivel Dortmund Dressage English Saddle
The Henri de Rivel Dortmund Dressage Saddle is ideal for all levels of horses and riders.
The flocked panel is smooth and breathable, providing comfort for you and your horse. It also aids in the reduction of bumps and pressure spots on your horse’s back. For your convenience, you can be certain that the saddle will stay in position.
The medium-deep seat gives an intimate touch to the horse’s back. The knee rolls also provide additional comfort, allowing you to control your horse better. The spacious seat, along with the smooth leather, guarantees that you are always comfortable.
You may choose between standard and broad trees, so you’ll be able to choose one that’s just right for your horse. It’s also available in four different sizes to accommodate most riders. The dressage saddle is made from real leather and is extremely durable. As a result, you can count on years of outstanding performance and service.
It has reinforcements at the bottom of the flaps to prevent them from wearing out over time. In addition, the billet straps are strengthened with nylon for a personalized fit.
Technical Specification:
- Brand: Henri de Rivel
- Color: Black
- Sizes:5, 17, 17.5, 18
- Saddle Type: Dressage
- Weight: 24
- Knee rolls offer leg stability
- 100% leather cover
- Nylon reinforced long billet straps
- Soft black leather
- Close-contact saddle
7. Thornhill Shannon Junior Dressage Saddle
The Thornhill Shannon Junior Dressage Saddle is designed for young riders who are starting to ride or are new to dressage.
The saddle is available in six sizes, ensuring that it will fit a wide range of horses and keep most riders comfortable. For normal horses, conventional tree diameters are available; broad tree choices are available for larger horses.
The smooth leather knee pads will provide solid support. In addition, the balanced tree design allows you to position yourself for improved performance.
The grained leather seat is soft to guarantee comfort while providing the necessary traction to avoid slippage. The semi-deep seat also offers leg stability for comfortable riding, making it excellent for dressage.
The Thornhill Shannon Junior Dressage saddle is exceptionally light and maneuverable. Long billets are included in the saddle to ensure a proper fit.
Technical Specification:
- Brand: Thornhill
- Color: Black
- Sizes: 14, 14W, 15S, 15W, 16S, 16W
- Saddle Type: Dressage
- Weight: 12 lbs.
- Close-contact saddle
- Long billets
- Stuffed panels
- Black grained cowhide
- Semi-deep seat
- Versatile
- Smooth leather knee pads
Things to Consider Before Buying Dressage Saddles
There’s no downplaying the importance of choosing a good quality dressage saddle that fits correctly on your horse’s back. A saddle that settles perfectly on horseback allows you to perch stably without compromising comfort, thus offering you better control. Similarly, the right-size dressage saddle will keep the horse’s cartilage, ligaments, and tendons around the backbone in perfect shape.
Take the following aspects into consideration to make sure that you’ve chosen the correct size of dressage saddle:
Treewidth
The treewidth refers to the broadness of the saddle’s front, flanked by the seat’s panels. The tree should be positioned wide on both sides of the wither but not so much so that it hangs down.
Tree angle
The tree angle is the gradient or the inclination closest to the scapula or the shoulder blade. The tree angle should feel smooth when you place your hand on the paneling.
Channel width
The tunnel underneath the saddle’s fork should be sufficiently wide to not get in the way of the horse’s backbone. However, no standardized metric exists for a perfect or ideal gullet size. Nevertheless, one rule of thumb is maintaining a width of 2-4 fingers between the gullet and the withers.
Wither clearance
Maintain a spacing of 2-3 fingers around the saddle’s withers.
Panel length
The panel’s farthest end should align with the horse’s last rib — a telltale sign that the seat is correctly positioned.
Panel Contact
The saddle’s panels should maintain uniform contact throughout the horse’s back. The flaps on either side of the saddle must exert even pressure all across the back.
Alignment of girth points
You’ll know that your dressage saddle has been fitted appropriately when its girth points are positioned vertically with the ground. The saddle could keep sliding backward or forwards if it is not placed correctly.
Saddle steadiness
Finally, see that the saddle has adequate wadding or filling on the lighter side to thwart slippage and imbalance. Nevertheless, remember that excessive padding could come in the way of your rapport with your horse.
Following are some of the attributes to bear in mind when selecting the right dressage saddle:
A perfectly integrated knee roll
Check whether the knee lock offers you enough space to position your leg without sacrificing support comfortably.
The middle of the saddle should be its lowest point
If it is not so, you’ll keep falling forward or backward, preventing you from determining the sweet spot of your riding position.
The span and twist of the saddle
The saddle’s twist is where the seat tapers the most, and the extent of your hips will determine where the twist will lie.
FAQs
What exactly is a dressage saddle?
As the expression indicates, a dressage saddle is a specialized seat that jockeys and equestrians use for excelling in dressage feats. A dressage saddle’s versatility lies in its erect flaps, a deep seat, knee rolls, a pommel (for attachments), and so on.
How to choose the right side of the dressage saddle?
The saddle size that’ll work for you depends on your horse’s profile and the purposes for which you’ll use the seat. You should maintain a gap of at least four inches between your waist and the swells. Additionally, see that your lower back does not brush against the saddle’s cantle (the elevated curved section at the end of the seat).
Should you opt for a dressage saddle crafted from leather or synthetic materials?
Both leather and synthetics have their benefits and drawbacks. Your personal needs and preferences will determine your choice.
Final Words
So you are — the five best dressage saddle brands you can choose from. While brands like Henri de Rivel, Breyer, and Wintec have cemented their goodwill in the market for equestrian or jockeying accessories, Silver Fox and EquiRoyal are also gaining popularity. Choosing the dressage saddle doesn’t have to be challenging. It can be easy to know what you need and are looking for.
