Dressage Saddle Saddles

Dressage saddles are generally designed with a straighter cut saddle flap, longer in length than a jumping saddle creating and assisting the rider in maintaining a more upgright posture and longer leg. The pommel is a little higher and the deepest point of the seat is a little more forward again aiding in a longer seat.

The seat is usually much deeper in a dressage saddle than a jumping saddle, and allows the rider to comfortably sit and relax to best influence the horse. The stuffing of the panels is often kept to a minimum in a dressage saddle, to allow a closer feel with the horse. It often has a wider bearing surface than a jumping saddle.

Some designs feature an exaggerated amount of padding in front of the knee, much more than in a jumping saddle, said to assist the rider in keeping the knee down and thigh back. However, there is usually little padding behind the calf, as the rider needs to be able to freely move the lower leg around to give aids to the horse.

The billets of most dressage saddles are very long, to allow the girth to be buckled near the horse's elbow rather than underneath the rider's leg (which would get in the way of giving effecting leg aids). However, some dessage saddles come with shorter billets.