Any tips for riding in a too big saddle?

leflynn

leflynn

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Morning all :)

I'd just like a bit of advice please, I have been riding OH's horse in my own adjustable saddle while mine has been out of work so it's never been an issue till now when I am going to need mine back for my own horse.

Sadly I don't have enough cash to buy a 2nd saddle for me to ride OH's horse in so I need some top tips for riding in his lovely but HUGE 18inch Kent & masters saddle. I'm only 5ft 3 ish with average length legs so it feels like sitting in a very large armchair and I end up hiking my stirrups up to get my knee near the knee roll. I don't ride OH's horse a lot (about 4 times every 2 weeks) so any tips welcome and if the seat saver thingy are worth a look at trying?

Thanks in advance :)
 
only thing I would suggest is a big fluffy seat saver? my friend has got one and it defo takes up quite a bit of room on her saddle! :)
 
Eat more chips?

Or padded bottom underwear.

If the above don't appeal, have you tried experimenting with stirrup length? I can't figure out if longer or shorter might help keep you in the right spot but worth a go.
 
Ignore the knee roll and sit in the best position for you.

I have a le meiux seatsaver which is comfy but doesn't take up a lot of the seat, heather Moffat ones are more anti slip.
 
Seat saver.

If you are good with a needle you can also further modify with fybagee shims tacked on the underside until you find the best balance point for you (same principles as shimming for a horse in many respects)
 
Abacus said:
Eat more chips?

Or padded bottom underwear.

If the above don't appeal, have you tried experimenting with stirrup length? I can't figure out if longer or shorter might help keep you in the right spot but worth a go.
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Lol, trying to eat less chips atm!!! :D
 
Old Bat said:
Invest in a Heather Moffat seatsaver...its one of the best things I ever did....
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Awesome thank you! :D

I'm wondering if I can change or remove the knee blocks (they are removeable) and then twiddle my stirrups too - will have a play this weekend :)

Thanks for all tips, much appreciated!
 
No problem... I've got a scrawny b*m and its a real blessing when you float around in the saddle, only problem is you feel lost in a saddle without one!
 
My saddle is also too big for me, my knees don't sit on the knee rolls and it is a bit like an armchair too. My horse is only 6 and difficult to fit as she is built like a hippo so I am 'making do' until she stops changing shape. My saddle fitter suggested a seat save and I use an Acavallo gel out on which I wouldn't be without now.
 
Ignore knee rolls unless you feel you need them for confidence (or are jumping) my saddle is probably slightly too small if anything but I like a long leg position, I would feel very hoiked up with my knees on the knee rolls!
 
Knee rolls highly over-rated imho, except for high risk activities! Riding in a large or flat saddle is great for your balance & seat.

As long as nothing actually hurts I would carry on . . :-)
 
Because its too big when cantering xc my knees sit behind the knee rolls instead of on them and I get rubbed by the girth buckles under the flap. It isn't really helped that the saddle is xxw so pretty flat and I have short legs!!!
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
If you can afford to, have the girth straps replaced with long ones so you can use a dressage girth.
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Good idea, but think I will persevere until I can afford to buy a new one that fits both of us, hopefully in the next 18 months, and she may have grown some withers by then??. Being a roly poly I think I would worry about tightening the girth once mounted and if I could actually reach I think I may just slip round thelwell style!!
 
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