english,,

darkhorserunning · Well Schooled

english,,

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Have you checked out any of the horse associations in Sask? that would be my first place to start. :)

darkhorserunning · Well Schooled

that is a great idea thankyou i never even thiught of going that way.

Emiry · Advanced

Before you get a saddle I would borrow an all purpose or get lessons on someone else's horse who has an english saddle. You will first need to figure out if you want to do dressage or general english before buying a saddle. Since you don't want to jump avoid close contact at all costs.

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

I second Emiry and Barb. You will want to figure out what kind of riding suits you best before you buy a saddle or any expensive tack really. Keep in mind also that it may take a while to decide you like something. Dressage may be very boring at first because all you get to do is walk about until you've built up a good enough seat/leg, and your horse has built the muscle up, but eventually you may decide you like it. If you enjoy riding on the flat and you build a very strong seat and leg, hunters may be for you. In any case, I would take lessons in someone else's saddle before you take the time and money to purchase something you may not want and would have to resale for less than you spent. :)

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

Sarah, the only way you can tell if the seat of an English saddle will fit you is to sit in it. Currently I'm using a 17", a 17 1/2" and a 18" seat English saddles, and all three fit me, though the 17" is a little tight. Different saddle makers do the webbing under the seat differently altering how well the saddle fits the rider.

You'd think there would be some standardization, but each company seems to do stuff a little differently!

Good luck finding a saddle and a good teacher. I love riding English, I ride Hunt Seat even though I can no longer jump, and I ride mostly in jumping saddles.

darkhorserunning · Well Schooled

thank you all for the advice i found an instuctor not far from here i would really like to get in to dressage, boring is a good thing for me lol, and i was also told it would improve my seat as i have picked up some bad habits in the last ten years due to riding with no muscle int he top of my leg, which is what i am working on right now as for boots and breeches where would a good place to look for good quailty and a decent price be? when i do something and spend the money to do it i do not go half way, that is not in my vocab, now off to check fences if you have any other thoughts let me know.

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

You could try Greenhawk, though there are none in Sask that I know of. You could order online?

Emiry · Advanced

I am sorry, while I love horseloverz.com prices due to complications I always buy local right now! I always run into problems and my tack store owner is happy to order me in a million different styles and brands till we find something that fits me since none of my body seems to be standard size for any of the equipment. (Like extra-wide calf's. Like, shouldn't they just be standard in every company?)

Edit: Oh and you might not find it so bad, but I always find shipping is a killer for me too.

-- Edited by Emiry on Tuesday 19th of April 2011 03:06:16 PM

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

Emiry makes a good point. Shipping can be a pain in the butt if you require special sizes. If there are any Tractor Supply Companies in Sask near you, perhaps they can get you started in the right direction. :)