Acavallo Seat Saver, Gel in or Gel out for lower back ache!!

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hayrm

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Hello, I am considering purchasing a Acavallo Seat Saver. I don't want it for grip or security in the saddle, I want one for the shock absorbency for low back ache/pains especially when doing a bouncy canter.
Do they work for this reason????
And would Gel in or Gel out be best???
Many Thanks in advance
 
Haven't tried acavallo but did try a Le Mieux gel one for lower back ache - inflamed joints and sciatica, it may have helped a little bit but no real noticeable improvement. I chose the le mieux one as it doesn't attach under the panels - I ride with just a thin cotton numnah & had concerns over straps under the panels being bad for horse and/or saddle. However the other reason was that it wasn't as thick as the acavallo - my saddle isn't very deep seated as it is and didn't want to be perched on top - so the acavallo may provide more cushioning :). I'd probably go for the non sticky seat one, but imagine thats a personal preference.
 
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Thanks for your replies, is the Gel out more for sticking on also??? I don't need it for that so I presume the Gel in would be my best option?
 
I had a Heather Moffatt seatbone saver as I have a wrecked sacro iliac joint, & it was like getting a new spine! Amazing! Now I have a WOW saddle which (for me) is even better. I know they're not for everyone, but for me they take all the jarring out of riding & I can do loads of stuff I couldn't do for ages like jump & not be stiff the next day, & do sitting trot. I used to be pretty well crippled & now I don't even think about my back any more & wouldn't class myself as having a bad back.

T x
 
Mmmm, TBH think there's more involved than just being able to "fix" a back problem with a gel pad or similar, tho' hey if it works for you, then fantastic.

It may well be the case that you need to get a saddle fitter out and check the flocking of the saddle and/or the tilt of your lower back and pelvis when you're riding; also it might help to get a physio out as well in fact!!! Seriously. Because a tiny amount of flocking not in the right place could make such a huge difference. If the saddle, for instance, is sitting up too high in front, i.e. is too narrow, it will raise the pommel and drop the cantle, and then you will have to strain your lower back muscles in order to maintain a correct position - you may not even realise you're doing this.

Whatever, if you are getting persistent low back ache when riding, it should act as a warning signal that you need to seek professional help IMO. Your first step (after your saddle etc has been checked and adjusted if needed) may be to ask an instructor what they can see concerning your position, asking them to particularly look at the way in which you are tilted in your tummy/lower back area specifically.

Also you may well have a musculature imbalance. A physio friend told me that horse riders frequently have really strong stomach muscles, which can act as a counter-pull as it were, to the back muscles, which is why you may need a chiropractor, physio, Bowen/McTimony practitioner or similar to firstly see what the situation is, and then help you to re-balance yourself so that your back problem is getting better not worse. You may need to be given some corrective exercises or whatever.

The other thing is (sorry to cause you more expense!) but your horse may very well need attention too; as all too often if the rider is unbalanced and/or has a problem somewhere, the horse's back will need attention too. So might be worth both of you having a session with the physio! If you can get a person that does equine as well as human, that's an added bonus as then he/she will be able to get the whole picture and treat accordingly.

Meantime, if you can, get yourself along to a Pilates class, or something which uses the "core group" of muscles, i.e. the pelvic/lower back & stomach areas. You may also find Yoga helpful, as the other thing which may help you is to be taught sustained retraction/core breathing, using the muscles of the diaphram and stomach area, which again will help your lower back area.
 
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