Dressage Equipment: Precision & Elegance – Expert Guide 2026

2024-2026 regulations: what really changes

The period 2024-2026 sees more regulatory changes than the previous ten years. The direction is clear: greater freedom of choice on the bit, stricter control on fitting, and the gradual introduction of bitless riding into the official French circuit. For a detailed overview specifically on bridles, snaffle bits, and bitless, Consult our comprehensive analysis of the 2026 FFE and FEI regulations on the snaffle and bitless bridle..

Spurs finally optional: the end of dummy spurs

Since 1 January 2024, the FEI has made spurs optional In international dressage competitions. Riders who wished to ride without spurs previously had to wear «dummy spurs», which were spur-like attachments without branches. This requirement has now disappeared: riders can choose to use them or not, depending on their riding philosophy and their horse’s sensitivity.

If you choose to wear them, the specifications remain strict: metal spurs, with a curved or straight branch pointing backwards from the centre of the spur, with smooth, blunted edges. The maximum length depends on the category: 3.5 cm (35 mm) for Pony and Children's events, 4 cm (40 mm) For adults. Jigsaws are permitted if they are blunt and rounded.

Double bridle: at what level is it still mandatory?

The landscape has changed a lot. On the side FEI, the double bridle remains mandatory for the tests CDI4*, CDI5* and World Cup. However, in 2024 the FEI opened up the option of a snaffle bridle up to and including Grand Prix level for competitions CDI3* and CDIO3*, in a logic of evaluation and data collection. The choice belongs to the rider.

Side Fire, the 2026 Dressage Rules (applicable from 1 September 2025) mark a turning point: The single fence is now permitted in all preparatory events, up to and including the Grand Prix.. Better, a 2% bonus is awarded to riders who compete in a simple bridle without reins, if the total score from the judges qualifies. The regulations also open certain Club, Amateur and Pro events to bitless bridles (sidepull, side rope, side bridle bitless).

Whatever the chosen level, the dimensions of the jaws remain within limits: minimum diameter of 10 mm for the bridoon, and 12 mm for the main bridoon bit, measured at the level of the canons next to the rings or branches. The 2026 FEI regulations have also standardised the thickness between 10 and 16 mm to avoid both overly thin and overly bulky bits.

Curb bit check: goodbye to the «two-finger rule» in FEI

Since the 1 May 2025, the FEI is progressively implementing, across all its disciplines, a Standardised muzzle lock measurement device. The tool, which is approximately 1.5 fingers wide (1.7 cm high, 3 cm wide, 11.5 cm long), is inserted under the noseband above the nasal bone and pulled from top to bottom. If it does not pass through, the noseband is considered too tight.

The consequences are precise:

• Pre-takeover check The couple cannot leave until the bridle has been loosened.
• Follow-up after acquisition immediate elimination and Yellow Warning Card For the rider.

The traditional «two-finger rule» between the noseband and the jaw, still widely taught, remains a useful benchmark for training, but in FEI competition it has now been replaced by the official, and noticeably more demanding, rule.

Biomechanics and fit: what the research says

Equestrian biomechanical research over the last ten years has transformed our understanding of the interaction between rider, saddle and horse. Pressure sensors and motion capture video have replaced purely clinical observations. Three benchmark publications now guide best practice.

Saddle fitting remains the number one priority

The works of Sue Dyson and Line Greve (Animal Health Trust, Newmarket) form the benchmark regarding the relationship between saddle fit and back health. On their cohort of sport horses, 431 out of the 3,000 saddles examined were poorly fitted. Above all, the Saddle that consistently slides to one side was observed in 54%: horses with hind-limb lameness, compared with just 4% in horses with forelimb lameness. It is therefore not so much the saddle that causes the lameness as the fact that it reveals it, but the fit remains a key clinical indicator.

At the withers, the industry benchmark is 3 to 4 fingers of space Between the saddle and the top of the withers remains the standard. This area, corresponding to thoracic vertebrae T10 to T13, is particularly sensitive: this is where chronic pressure points cause muscle atrophy and long-lasting defensive behaviours.

Deformable thigh blocks: a real biomechanical effect

The study «Saddle Thigh Block Design Can Influence Rider and Horse Biomechanics» (MacKechnie-Guire et al., MDPI, 2023) compared two types of thigh blocks on 18 elite sport horses: a rigid block with a vertical face and a multi-layer deformable block. The results are clear:

• Larger rider/saddle contact surface with the deformable block.
• More vertical rider posture with a stable seat.
• Reduced axial thoracic rotation in the horse, increased lumbo-thoracic flexion, increased carpal flexion.

Put simply, a well-designed deformable saddle improves both the rider's stability and the horse's movement quality. The precise figures from the study are not just a marketing percentage, but the biomechanical trend is solid.

Mounting from the ground generates marked pressure asymmetries

The study of Geutjens et al. on the forces and pressures under the saddle during mounting remains the reference: In the 97% ground-level mounting tests, the area of maximum pressure is on the right-hand side of the withers. This asymmetry, measurable by a pressure mat, is significantly reduced when using a raised block (typically 35 cm in the study). In the long term, systematically mounting from the ground puts a strain on the symmetry of the saddle tree and the horse's withers.

2026 innovations: sorting genuine advances from marketing

The equestrian equipment market, estimated at around USD 12 billion, with annual growth of around 4.31% According to several sector studies, it attracts numerous technical innovations. Some are based on solid data, while others are more about commercial promise. Here's an honest breakdown.

Connected pads and stirrups: useful for whom?

The pressure sensor saddle pad commercially available (for example, the ECHO Smart Saddle Pad, equipped with 64 textile sensors). They allow for real-time visualisation of pressure distribution and the objective assessment of rider asymmetry or saddle tree defects. This is a valuable diagnostic tool for professional riders and saddle fitters, although its regular use in amateur training remains debatable.

The instrumented calipers or loadpads (loadpads from the Novel brand in particular) measure the normal force exerted by each foot in the stirrup, which allows for objective assessment of the rider's weight distribution symmetry. Again, this is a relevant coaching tool for those training at a high level or rehabilitating a chronic asymmetry, not a consumer gadget.

Materials: vegetable tanning vs synthetic leathers

The vegetable tanning traditional, using tannins extracted from chestnut, mimosa, oak or catechu, produces leather that is naturally supple, breathable, and capable of managing moisture. It develops a unique patina with use and has a remarkable lifespan, often 15 to 20 years with appropriate maintenance, where a low-end industrial chrome leather will struggle to last 5 to 10 years.

Side vegan leather, one must be clear-sighted. Standard synthetic leathers (PU, PVC) last on average 2 to 5 years with regular use, significantly less than full-grain leather. The new generation of plant-based vegan leathers (made from cactus, apple, pineapple) are improving in mechanical performance, but remain light-years away from high-end traditional leather in terms of long-term durability. The choice of vegan leather is now primarily justified by ethical considerations, not performance arguments.

Safety: release stirrups and airbag vests

The safety stirrups with lateral release (Ophena, Freejump, Acavallo, etc.) are now permitted in FEI competitions, including dressage and show jumping. Their mechanisms differ (magnets for Ophena, a pivoting arm for Freejump...) and their actual effectiveness depends on the model. They reduce the risk of being «dragged» behind the horse in the event of a fall, without eliminating it entirely.

On the Airbag vests, the most significant advance is the E-Twist'Air by Horse Pilot, developed in partnership with In&motion. This is the first fully electronic equestrian airbag system, with no cable connected to the saddle, approved according to the standard NF S72-800:2022. The total triggering time is less than 60 ms (25 ms detection plus 30 ms inflation). The actual effectiveness on severe injuries remains scientifically debated (the French prospective study 2013-2015 did not show a clear statistical benefit), but feedback from the field suggests significant protection against thoracic and spinal trauma.

Buying Guide by Level: Where to Put Your Budget

The investment in training equipment should follow your progress, not anticipate it. Here is a realistic framework, based on the orders of magnitude observed on the French market.

Club / Amateur 4: 800 to 1,500 euros

To get started properly, opt for a Used premium brand saddle (600 to 1000 euros) rather than a new entry-level saddle: they hold up better over time and retain their resale value. Supplement with a Quality bridle (70 to 150 euros), a technical carpet (25 to 40 euros) and a helmet approved EN 1384:2023 (€150 to €250).

For your outfit, basic technical trousers (60 to 100 euros) and boots with chaps (150 to 200 euros) are more than enough before investing in custom-made boots. Safety (helmet) and saddle fit are never negotiable.

Amateur 1-2 / Pro 3: 2,000 to 4,500 euros

At this level, the The saddle directly conditions your progress.. Allow €2000 to €3500 for a new saddle or a good, recent, custom-made second-hand saddle. Progress towards a anatomic bridle or a well-fitting combi-noseband bridle. The customisable SmartWag bridles cover this need: the Mont Blanc anatomical bridle et le Patent leather bridle Zurich are cut out for training work.

Complete with bespoke boots (500-1000 euros) which will significantly improve your leg position and comfort. A second set of reins and a grooming mitt will make maintenance easier.

Pro Elite / international: the non-negotiables

In elite-level competition, every detail counts. A custom saddle adapted to your morphology and that of your horse (3500 to 6000 euros) becomes essential. The high quality double clamp (400 to 800 euros) allows for the required finesse of communication from St. George's level and above, when you choose to ride in a double bridle rather than a snaffle.

The connected tools (instrumented mats, load cell stirrups) represent a relevant investment of 1500 to 3000 euros if you have a coach trained in their use: on their own, the sensors correct nothing.

Costly mistakes to avoid

Three families of errors systematically reappear in saddlers' workshops and equine veterinary practices. They are all avoidable.

Unsuitable saddle: the trap to avoid above all

The most costly mistake remains buying a saddle with a tree that isn't suited to the horse's back. A saddle that is too narrow creates localised pressure points which can lead to lasting muscle atrophy; a saddle that is too wide will slip and rub. Always have the fit checked by a Certified saddle fitter, even for a new saddle bought from a specialist shop.

Tight noseband to hide another problem

Tightening the noseband to «control» a horse that opens its mouth is a false economy. This opening almost always signals underlying discomfort: Dental problem (aiguilles, crochets, ulcères buccaux), Oversized bolt (too thin, too wide, misplaced), Too hard or Neck tension. Clinical studies on racehorses (Odelros & Wattle 2018, Tuomola et al. 2019) have shown very high rates of oral lesions in sport horses, ranging from 84% to 88% depending on the population, often linked to the combination of bit, noseband and dentition.

Before tightening the noseband, have a dental check performed (a horse should be seen annually by an equine dentist) and have your bit size verified.

Incompatible equipment combinations

Some partnerships create more problems than they solve. A jumping saddle with long dressage stirrup leathers alters the positioning of the flaps and creates pressure points on your thighs. A rug too thick under a saddle fitted too closely alters the balance of the saddle tree and can cause back pain. The rubber reins Fabric gloves slip dangerously: use leather gloves with this type of reins.

Investment priorities

If your budget is tight, allocate it in this order:

1. Tailored to fit (approximately half of the total equipment budget).
2. Helmet certified to EN 1384:2023.
3. Quality saddlery adjusted to the horse.
4. Boots or ankle boots + chaps comfortable and stable in the stirrup.
5. Presentation outfit and accessories.

Never sacrifice the quality of the saddle or that of the helmet, which protect your horse and your own integrity respectively.

Care: multiplying the lifespan of your equipment

A regular maintenance protocol can easily double the useful lifespan of your equipment. The correct actions are few but consistent.

Daily and weekly protocol

After each session, Wipe the sweat with a slightly damp cloth, then dry. This 5-minute habit prevents degradation of the seams and fading of the leather. Once a week, apply a Glycerine soap insisting on friction areas (stirrup leathers, girth straps, inside of the headpiece, bit mouthpiece).

Fat, on the other hand, should be used sparingly: Once or twice a year at most For most items. Excess fat weighs down the leather, attracts dust, and eventually blocks the pores, paradoxically accelerating aging. For quality full-grain leather, it's better to moisturise little and clean often.

Storage: the leading cause of damage

Storage temperature and humidity are crucial. The correct ranges are:

• Temperature between 15 and 20°C, as constant as possible.
• Relative humidity : between 40 and 50%; monitor using a hygrometer. Above 60%, the risk of mould becomes significant.

Never store a damp saddle or bridle in an airtight cover Mould can develop in under 48 hours in a confined environment. Use breathable fabric covers, place the saddle on a saddle stand that supports the saddle tree along its entire length (one that is too narrow will deform it over time), and place silica gel sachets in tack rooms prone to damp.

White saddle pads: washing without damaging

For white dressage rugs, pre-treat stains at the end of the session with a mild soap. Machine wash at 30°C maximum, without fabric softener (which would clog the technical fibres), and add a little white vinegar to the rinse cycle to brighten the white. Dry flat in the open air only The tumble dryer irreversibly warps technical padding and foams.

Tradition and innovation: what tech really changes

To help you choose between classic equipment and instrumented solutions, here is an honest reading of the actual differences.