I keep falling off!! Its the saddle...new one needed

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Muddy Mare

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I've had a couple of unnecessary falls next to gates recently. Its the blinking sheep/lambs getting up from the shady patches gates provide at the last minute and frightening the be-jesus out of her.

Apparently the saddle you have makes a huge difference. Im riding her in a Cheyenne Treeless, we go for miles and I find it very comfortable, but it doesnt keep me in. Maybe there is a sticky type seat saver I could add?

I may have to give up with it and get an expensive new one. I can spend up to £800, so what do people advise here please?
 
When my horse belonged to his old owners (I was his rider/groom) he had an Albion K2 Jump- The best saddle ever! Now he has an older GFS which is ok but not really a patch on the Albion... one day I will be able to afford one!
 
poiuytrewq said:
When my horse belonged to his old owners (I was his rider/groom) he had an Albion K2 Jump- The best saddle ever! Now he has an older GFS which is ok but not really a patch on the Albion... one day I will be able to afford one!
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I got mine second hand off ebay - and then my saddler came out and checked the fit etc.
 
As an after though because you'd be lucky to find one a Quattro event monoflap saddle- even more amazing but the company went bust and they are like hens teeth.
 
amymay said:
I got mine second hand off ebay - and then my saddler came out and checked the fit etc.
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That's what im thinking. Annoyingly the owner still has his sat in the tack room getting dusty but wont sell me it!- On the plus side it I will be able to get the exact size, less guesswork.
 
I guess it depends on what you want to do with your horse... also, daft question, but are you checking your girth after mounting and walking around for a few minutes, if it's not tight enough then your saddle will move or it could be that you're just unbalanced in yourself? It may be nothing to do with the saddle, it could be down to your own balance, in which case, speak with your instructor or get a friend to watch you ride and make sure that your stirrups are totally even and that you're not leaning to one side... don't rush out and spend a fortune on a saddle if the rider is at fault...
 
Not sure Id be blaming the saddle tbh, unless you have a tendency to go airborne at the slightest thing?!

Id recommend a FlexEE - leather treed so still flexible to the horses changing shape but much more structured than the average treeless so better at weight spreading. The suede seat also adds a lot of stickability - I get stuck to it if I wear my clarino seated jods!

http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/flexee_intro.htm
 
I think to an extent a saddle can be to blame tbh. Although I never actually fell off years back I had one horse who was the only horse I ever rode. He was difficult which didn't help but I felt so unsafe and insecure on him, this went on years! until I borrowed a saddle having damaged mine and my god, what a difference- I felt like I was glued to the horse who behaved so much better (probably due to my cant fall off attitude!?)- His own saddle was fitted to him and was a perfect fit so not due to that.
So whilst I agree falling off regularly may not be totally due to the saddle I do certainly think some give far more security than others and are easier to sit to any sudden moves!
 
I think saddles can make a difference. We recently bought a second hand stubben, my first comment about it was that it was slippery. I was hacking out one of the tb youngsters the other week, in the stubben, when she spooked and span 360 degrees in the blink of an eye. I just slid out the side door, no ifs no buts. The next time I rode her, I had to put the wintec back on her as the stubben was in use, and it really surprised me how much more secure I felt. Think it was the fake-suede knee patches. She's spooked in that since and my bum hasn't left the saddle. Maybe I'd have fallen off anyway, but I feel that bit of friction between me and the saddle makes a difference in stickability :D
 
Ha-ha! I only went out for a quick ride and look at all these replies!!

Well I know its the saddle..I should have said that Im using the barefoot as she is a little hefty atm and it fits anything. I have used the treeless on a number of horses, hunted in it, even jumped a car bonnet on a horse that I was breaking in...nasty moment that...in any case I can sit most things, am experienced and well balanced. she shys in the her normal saddle and i just get unseated, dont come off.

Albion has it, so it seems. Ill have a look on ebay.
Thanks everyone!
 
Another vote for the Albion :) I don't find it comfy for hacking though and have a Native Pony Saddle that is the comfiest ever. Suede panels give more grip. Wintec saddles that are not the leather look are also grippy. I hate treeless saddles. The ones I've tried have all been terrible for moving and rolling about on the horse. I'm sure it suits some but I've never got on with them.
 
this brought back memories, when I first bought my horse, he had a beautiful barry swain, semi flex made to measure saddle, totally flat no pommel, no cantal to speak of, no knee rolls. I fell off a lot, I sold the saddle for one with more of a seat, 5 years later, i'd love that saddle back but alas I can't afford one. At the time I was returning to riding after a long break, and my seat wasn't up to much, I'd like to think I'd be perfectly happy in it now
 
Thats a shame you don't get on with the cheyenne. I love mine, feel very secure in it, even when my boy spins.
 
I think it depends on the horse as to whether you get on with the barefoot. They do move on some horses, and as I say, I have had a couple of 'moments' with the saddle on other horses when I have stayed in. Maybe I sit more on Grace than in her, if you see what i mean. Also she tends to go sideways at speed, so grippy knee pads would be fabulous!!!!

We live up on Exmoor and the hacking is amazing. Miles and miles, coastal paths and moorland, so a comfy saddle is a must, and the barefoot is great for that. I use an ordinary breastplate to stop slipping, and love to feel the horse's back moving as we go. Thats why I was wondering about a seat saver. I might ring them and see what they say.
 
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