Is it okay to jump in a dressage saddle. I have the Wintec Issabella saddle. I have jumped my horse in it before and he seems fine with it and it's very comfortable for me. We only will be jumping 2 feet max. What do you think?
Also what are some fun things I can do with my horse. Like just little fun things that I don't have to buy anything for. Any games on horseback you like to do that you reccomend? I ride him english (as you can see for the above question). Thanks guys!
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I have the same saddle as you and I do a lot of jumping. It teaches you to have better balance anyways. I started jumping quite small and now jumping 90cm plus and it’s becoming annoying, I’m saving for a jumping saddle.
Jumping in a dressage saddle is fine, at 2 foot you will have no trouble.
As for things to do, why don’t you try mounted games and novelties? like bending etc.. or try barrel racing just for fun. I ride bareback a lot to keep entertained too.
To stop your horse getting bored don’t get stuck doing the exact same thing every time you ride. Keep it interesting for you and the horse. This way you can also work on certain things in different ways and learn what you and your horse are good at =]
ok,
if you are riding in a dressage saddle but doing jumping that is ok,
it is how good you feel up in the saddle.
but becareful when you compete at shows….that might see you riding in a dressage saddle but your doing jumping….
but again it is how good you feel….otherwise trade your saddle in for an all purpose saddle….they are really good to do any thing on…..
some games would be to try bareback riding and see how hard it is then do trotting and cantering bareback…it is fun but don’t loose your balance….
As long as you & your horse are comfortable in it – go for it! You may wish to shorten your stirrup length just a tad from the traditional dressage length however – it will help with stability over the fence.
As for games & such – sorry, this older trainer doesn’t have much advise! My idea of fun is reading a book out in the pasture with the horses all around me, just relaxing!! Or going on a nice trail ride – to look at the sights, not for training purposes!
well, i guess its OK. its not the safest thing in the world. i defiantly wouldnt go over 2 feet (maybe even one foot) because a dressage saddle is not meant for jumping. ask you trainer or your barn friends what they think too.
A dressage saddle usually doesn’t allow you to adjust your stirrups high enough to get your leg in the correct position for jumping. If you crank up the stirrups, your knee will stick out past the flap. Your horse probably doesn’t care which saddle is on him, but you would see a big difference in your position over jumps in an all purpose or jumping saddle.
But, if you’re just popping over a few small jumps now and then, it’s not really a problem.
For games, how about bending poles (use jump standards, cones, or just about anything), egg & spoon (use a golf ball), set up obstacle courses where you have to steer through things, change speed/direction, pick things up, drop things in buckets, etc. You can get more ideas like that if you watch a trail class at a horse show.
Jumping in a dressage saddle doesn’t set you up the best for jumping, but if you are only going 2 feet, it won’t be a problem.
As for fun things- my dressage mare loves doing barrels or any type of speed show event (she sucks- we do a collected canter everywhere, but she loves it). You can set up obstacles to go around- say a barrel or pole pattern using cones or even bales of hay. You can also jump hay bales, or just run, stop, spin, and run back (my mare loves it).
Another thing that is hard with an english trot- egg and spoon races with your friends- or see how long someone can hold on to it.
As long as you vary what you do, your horse will probably love it!
Jumping in a dressage saddle won’t do your horse any harm or anything if that’s what you’re asking. As long as you and your horse are comfortable, I see no problem with it. I am assuming you aren’t going to show over fences in it so if it’s just at home and for fun, go for it. You aren’t necessarily going to be in the best position for jumping without a jumping saddle but you’re having a good time so don’t worry about it, especially at such a low height.
Hmmm…fun games for you and your horse. Well there are alot of games you can play with your friends which will actually help you work on some riding skills too. For example, you can do egg and spoon races which work on coordination and balance along with having a quiet hand. Anything where you have to pick up objects off of something and bring them back…there are actually two really fantastic books that have loads of great ideas. one is called Games on Horseback and the other is 101 jumping exercises. The jumping exercise book has alot of patterns and things and you can replace all of the jumps with ground poles or cavelettis. They are cheap and at amazon.com or most bookstores. I’ve used them in lessons for my students and there are great ideas in there! A good buy for sure!