The Dressage Saddle

The Dressage saddle is designed differently than other English saddles. It has a deeper seat for close contact. The billets on a Dressage saddle are longer, usually, than on other English saddle. This keeps the buckles out of the way of the rider's leg for better contact with the horse when using leg aids. The appropriate stirrups are called Fillis Irons. They are heavier than most other irons. The stirrup pads are white, as is the pad (other colors are not usually used in upper levels). The thin, quilted cotton pad used under the Dressage saddle is called a numnah, it is traditionally square with rounded corners and shaped to fit the horse's back. The idea is to eliminate bulk.

Look at the illustration below to see all the parts. Compare to the forward seat English saddle below it. You can see that the seat is deeper, the billets much longer. The Dressage saddle also has a straight flap with knee rolls in the front under the flap to keep the leg in a straighter position. The stirrups are used longer, not short like for jumping. The leg should have a long, lean line when mounted.

Dressage at Sport-Pony

• Main Dressage Page
• The Dressage Saddle
• Dressage Tests
• Dressage Terms
• Dressage Levels

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