July 2008

I just want to know which dressage saddle is your favorite. I am looking at the wintec or bates isabell, and the bates innova. What are your experiences with these saddles? What is your favorite dressage saddle?

The best saddle depends on you and your horse. The Isabelle is basically the same whether leather or synthetic, although I prefer the synthetic as there is less bulk between you and the horse. One issue with the Isabelle is the width of the panels apart from each other. If your horse is a warmblood or other large boned horse, then the panels are too close together and can pinch. The Innova is a newer design, and fits the larger boned horses very well. Both of these saddles are very well designed for training to second level horses, and the Innova can make it up to third level with a little stuffing and adjustment by your saddler.

My personal favorite is a Sommer Athens. It is a monoflap saddle and designed for upper level horses. It's not so good for lower level horses due to the balance, but works well for my 3rd level guy. It does need to be maintained by the saddler a little more often than the others you have mentioned, but even those need to looked at and adjusted every 6-12 months as your horse changes muscling.

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