Heather Moffett HIPSAVER

[jlh]

Hi,
I’ve just started riding an overweight horse in the hope of helping him lose weight. He’s currently ridden in a Heather Moffett treeless saddle.
As our hacks are increasing in length, the pain in my hips and lower back is getting worse. It’s only when I ride and eases once I’m off.
I’ve seen a Heather Moffett HIPSAVER that’s supposed to narrow the twist (?) and help make the ride more comfortable. Has anyone ever used one? Are they worth the money? I’m reluctant to spend the money just yet as I’ve never really heard of one before, or known anyone that’s used it.
If anyone has any other suggestions or alternatives too, any help would be appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Equi]

It essentially raises you out of the saddle by putting a barrier between your foof and the seat making the saddle feel narrower. It does work but some people can’t tolerate the feeling of sitting up so high in the saddle.

 

[Irish-Only]

Foof

 

[Skib]

I started riding aged 61 with a bad lower back and in order to sit straight on the horse (rather than diagonally) I needed a narrow horse, not a broad backed cob.
I had the opportunity once as a beginner to ride on a Moffat seat saver on a friend's pony but found that the extra layer made the horse wider and my calves did not hang well. As for saving my seat, I have a plump bottom, so I have never needed additional padding.

However I dont ride treeless. A treeless saddle may offer less protection to the spine of the horse, so extra padding may compensate for that?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

On the subject of "foof". Mine was like it had been rubbed with bloomin' sandpaper after only 30mins riding in a HM hipsaver. By God I was glad to put that one on Ebay......... Jeez.

Horrid thing. Just my opinion/experience. I've heard others swear by the dang things tho'. Each to their own I guess.

 

[Gloi]

On the subject of "foof". Mine was like it had been rubbed with bloomin' sandpaper after only 30mins riding in a HM hipsaver. By God I was glad to put that one on Ebay......... Jeez.

Horrid thing. Just my opinion/experience. I've heard others swear by the dang things tho'. Each to their own I guess.

Must depend on foof confirmation

 

[soloequestrian]

I use the HM flexee saddles. I had a horse who had saddle issues and ended up with him using the widest gullet I could get which finally allowed him to be comfortable. I'm used to wide saddles but with that gullet it took me about three weeks for all my ligaments to stretch enough to be comfortable while riding! As with you, I was only sore while in the saddle, not afterwards. Maybe just give it a little more time for your body to adapt?

 

[jlh]

I use the HM flexee saddles. I had a horse who had saddle issues and ended up with him using the widest gullet I could get which finally allowed him to be comfortable. I'm used to wide saddles but with that gullet it took me about three weeks for all my ligaments to stretch enough to be comfortable while riding! As with you, I was only sore while in the saddle, not afterwards. Maybe just give it a little more time for your body to adapt?

Thank you. I think for a while I may just have to try and see it out, hopefully I will eventually get used to it.

 

[jlh]

Thank you everyone. It seems as though they aren’t as amazing as they are made out to be. I’m pleased I posted on here as I’d hate to waste the money on something that probably won’t help, and probably won’t sell on very well.
I guess for a while I’ll just have to ‘grin and bear it’ in the hope that my body adjusts to the saddle.

 

[spider]

I found I felt very perched and insecure when riding with a Hipsaver and the edge of it pinched my inner thighs.

 

[Nasicus]

Tried one, hated it, like being perched on high, and very uncomfortable.

 

[vhf]

Hi,
I’ve just started riding an overweight horse in the hope of helping him lose weight. He’s currently ridden in a Heather Moffett treeless saddle.
As our hacks are increasing in length, the pain in my hips and lower back is getting worse. It’s only when I ride and eases once I’m off.
I’ve seen a Heather Moffett HIPSAVER that’s supposed to narrow the twist (?) and help make the ride more comfortable. Has anyone ever used one? Are they worth the money? I’m reluctant to spend the money just yet as I’ve never really heard of one before, or known anyone that’s used it.
If anyone has any other suggestions or alternatives too, any help would be appreciated.
Thank you

I have hip issues and have found some relief using an acavello gel out seat saver. Got it 2nd hand so it's not sticky, but it does slightly reduce the twist, and being a bit more secure has allowed me to relax and sit a bit deeper, which has also helped. Now if I could just be dedicated in my hip exercises...

 

[Fransurrey]

I have one and love it on my Thorn Pad. Currently I'm riding in a treed saddle, so don't use it on that, as it does perch me a bit. On the Thorn, though, it's superb and moulds like an armchair.

 

[sbloom]

I started riding aged 61 with a bad lower back and in order to sit straight on the horse (rather than diagonally) I needed a narrow horse, not a broad backed cob.
I had the opportunity once as a beginner to ride on a Moffat seat saver on a friend's pony but found that the extra layer made the horse wider and my calves did not hang well. As for saving my seat, I have a plump bottom, so I have never needed additional padding.

However I dont ride treeless. A treeless saddle may offer less protection to the spine of the horse, so extra padding may compensate for that?

The hip saver and seat saver are different products .

Too wide a twist isn't the only thing that can cause back issues, might be worth contacting a ridden biomechanics coach that understands saddles, or a fitter that understands anatomically fitting the rider, perhaps someone who's completed the Horse-Saddle-Rider course offered by Caroline Lindsay which addresses some of the issues with rider saddle fit.

 

[jlh]

The hip saver and seat saver are different products .

Too wide a twist isn't the only thing that can cause back issues, might be worth contacting a ridden biomechanics coach that understands saddles, or a fitter that understands anatomically fitting the rider, perhaps someone who's completed the Horse-Saddle-Rider course offered by Caroline Lindsay which addresses some of the issues with rider saddle fit.

Thank you. I’ve never had these issues in a treed saddle before so I’m not sure if it’s just something I need to get used to, or if it really is that the saddle doesn’t suit me.
My issue is that as I don’t own or loan the horse, I do feel bad asking the owners to buy a saddle just to suit me. Likewise, I don’t really want to have to buy a saddle for a horse that will inevitably change shape, and that I don’t own.
I will see if someone can perhaps take a look at it for me while I’m on board.

 

[sbloom]

Thank you. I’ve never had these issues in a treed saddle before so I’m not sure if it’s just something I need to get used to, or if it really is that the saddle doesn’t suit me.
My issue is that as I don’t own or loan the horse, I do feel bad asking the owners to buy a saddle just to suit me. Likewise, I don’t really want to have to buy a saddle for a horse that will inevitably change shape, and that I don’t own.
I will see if someone can perhaps take a look at it for me while I’m on board.

There are things that can be done to help, though it's the hardest thing to make something narrower, we can usually add, for more support (which can actually make the very wide bits feel a bit less wide as the shape is nicer), but we can't take away. Do make sure any saddle pad under the flaps is as thin as possible, and look at reducing bulk under the upper thigh, if possible.