Can you go hacking in a dressage saddle?

Question

I'm not sure what kind of saddle to get. I want to focus mainly on dressage and I don't want to do any jumping. However, I go on trail rides a lot.... Should I get a dressage saddle??

Answer 1

Yes you can. :] I've done it before. Very comfy in my opinion, i wouldn't use a like really expensive one to go hacking, or what you can do is buy a cheaper, used english saddle that ifts your horse and use that for trail rides, so that way you can use your dressage one for shows and such and your normal one for hacks.

Answer 2

Yes, you can use your dressage saddle because the cheap all purpose saddle is probably not as comfy for you and the conformation of the saddle may not be be good for your horse as your changing the feels on his back...i would just take a quick jog,then try a forward trot, try a slow canter,then a light seat canter if they all feel comfy  for you it will be a good fit. Before you make any real high decisions take the saddle off and walk your horse around check for rubbing marks ,scars or anything that he could of got  from the movement on the saddle when trying something new....if hes fine go put the saddle on and warm him up and maybe go for a short hack keep going on short hacks until you know that you want to stick with this saddle.K? I hope my answer helps as i have expierience with this question....email if it helps

Answer 3

Absolutely. A dressage seat  gives a very secure seat, I  trail ride in a synthetic one myself (easy to clean, cheap and I don't  scuff  my good one)  I do bush,  gallops and informal jumping  (not real high)