Dressage saddles

Is it possible to have a steady seat without deep seat and big kneeblocks?



Elevation Grained B3

Modern research in biomechanics shows that it is the rider's vertical position via the neutral pelvis with activated core that creates
optimal self carriage and balance in the horse.
Very few saddle manufacturers have taken this into account and have not made any research
regarding what affects the rider's ability to sit optimally. 

Therefor the most common demand is more support of the rider.
Rider's have difficulties to understand that a saddle without huge kneeblocks and deep seat actually can help and benefit their riding. 

They have been taught to sit between two forces, the support in the front of the saddle and the support in the back of the saddle.
Very few riders know that these supports negatively affects their ability to sit in balance and in neutral position with an activated core,
in other words, they cannot center themselves in a vertical position nor even activate their core. 



The front rider in a correct neutral position. The rider in the back is behind the vertical
 without an activated core. 

They are even less aware of the negative effect it has on the horse's back which constantly gets extra strain that forces the horse to tighten its back even more.
Horses naturally stretch their backs to increase their speed, but increased speed then gives them more power going forward.
In dressage, you want to increase the horse's ability to resist from the back and hindlegs to increase the front push upwards so that the horse ends up more uphill.
This in itself requires an increased stabilization phase, ie the moment when the hind legs land and bends in the hock need to be longer.
The front need the extra time to push upwards and not get too heavy via too much push from behind.

When we design our models and the details that you can choose, we do it based on your unique shape, your need for support combined with the shape of your horse. The support you receive then is based on what your pelvis looks like and what you need to sit completely relaxed in a neutral position with only your core turned on.

Today we offer 2 different type of trees with different kind of panels for the horse that we can vary for both horse and rider.
To choose the right one for you, you need to make a seat analysis.
Anyone who wants to learn even more can do a horse and rider analysis where we analyze both parts seperately and together.

Ref.
Research on the function of the back, rotation, stabilization and the rider's position. Jeffcot, Tucker, Holmström. Denoix, M T Engell.

You will find our dressage saddles in our webshop.