For dressage can i use an all purpose saddle?

Question

i ride dressage and i ride school horses but i was just wondering for the future when i get my own horse (after all this begging and pleading that im doing right now pays off) if i can use an all purpose english saddle for dressage, because dressage is all i ride. the all purpose saddles seem to be a lot cheaper than the dressage ones, so i was just wondering. thanks

Answer 1

yes. i have 2 periesions.

Answer 2

Ya, you can use all purposes for dressage, but since you are doing strictly dressage, I would recommend just getting a dressage saddle.  It will cost more, but you can get them used.  =D

Answer 3

Yes, you can use an all-purpose or C/C saddle for dressage up to 4th level.

I would actually just spend the extra money and get a dressage saddle if thats all you ride. Just buy a used one or a Wintec/Toulouse/Kincade or something. There cheap but still OK quality.

Answer 4

yes you could, but in the long run it would be better to buy a dressage saddle. right now when i am in horse shows, i use an all-purpose saddle, only because i do not have enough money to buy my own right now

Answer 5

Yes, you can but it depends on the level of dressage. If your doing Grand Prix then I wouldn't do it in a general purpose, but for lower levels it doesn't really matter. General purpose are not necessarily cheaper but your better off buying a general purpose saddle because the if you decide you want to do jumping, Pony Club or sporting one day its really hard and impractical to do it in a dressage saddle and then you would either have to put up with the inconvenience or buy another saddle which can be expensive. What really matters in dressage is the way you move with your horse, how obvious your aids (signals) are but most importantly is how you sit in whatever you have. I do dressage at a medium level and i have never been marked down because I use a general purpose saddle.

Good luck getting your own horse!

Answer 6

You can, it's been done for AGES, however it does limit what you can do with the horse's use of their forearms.  It limit's their movements.  I used my old Stubben Siegfried back in the 1970's to start my then 7-8 yr old AQHA gelding, with Maxine Clarke.  I never realized the difference until I got into a dressage saddle (Stubben Parzival VSD), as to who much more movement I could get out of my then 20's year old QH gelding and a couple of other horses.

Answer 7

Not to do a good job of dressage with.

Instead of begging and pleading for your own horse, why not do odd jobs, and lease one part time - you'd get the joy of having your 'own' horse, without the whole responsibility.

Having a horse is a LOT of work and money, and you'd be surprised how little time you actually have to ride if you're taking care of one, and then going to school, too.  It makes a lot of sense to share with someone else, in which case then the horse gets enough exercise and care, and you don't have to worry about your horse being bored or out of shape.

  And then, with the money you've saved by not buying a whole horse of your own, you can get a Wintec Isabelle, which is only about a thousand dollars new, and very popular.  Betcha could even find a used one...

Answer 8

I would definitely recommend a dressage saddle.  all purpose saddles do not provide the "deep" seat and support the long leg that dressage saddles do!

Of course it's not that you can't ride your horse with an emphasis on dressage in any saddle, it's just that you will become frustrated as your training continues when you have to fight against your saddle to ride ideally instead of it supporting you!

If price is an issue, look into a wintec!  They get a lot of flack for not being "real" but the last two horses i've worked with have both had a wintec dressage saddle and really i've got no issue with them - and the price is surely right!

Answer 9

Well, if all you're ever going to do is dressage, I would say save up and invest in a dressage saddle. If you think your interests might shift, go for an all purpose. If you're planning on advancing in Dressage, an all purpose saddle may not put your leg in the right place for the intended style.

I did dressage in an all purpose saddle though, but I wasn't very serious about it.

Answer 10

you can but not if you get into REALLY big shows..then you have to use a dressage saddle

Answer 11

well it's called an all purpose saddle. . . meaning you can use it for basically all purposes. so the answer is yes.

i rode dressage in my all purpose.  

Answer 12

You can for now, and in the lower levels of dressage competitions. However, if you are keen on dressage, and want to advance further with your future horse in dressage competitions, it will benefit you greatly to have a dressage saddle. However, for the time being, on the school horses and in the early days of your own horse, the all-purpose saddle will do.

Answer 13

Unless you are now verging on entering your olympic trials, the all purpose is fine.  the minor difference it makes at early levels is totally insignificant.  

Answer 14

well i guess you can but if you only ride dressage then you are probably better off saving up and getting a dressage saddle. maybe to save money buy second hand.

hope this helps! :-)

(keep up the begging! lol)