Ideas for a saddle that can support a damaged spine and take pressure off the coccyx

[CarlungM]

Hi,
Given the huge experience on this forum I am hoping some of you may have discovered a saddle to ease spinal pain and take pressure of the sciatica nerves.

I have discovered that in addition to problems at C6&7 I have damage to T3 & 4. T4 may require spinal surgery and I am aware that is what is causing the nerve paid down my thighs and into my big toe. I also have stenosis at L5 and that is causing other toes to go numb and burning feet pain when riding.

I have played around with several saddles and seat savers to no avail. I have stopped riding my chunky Highland but still want to ride my Quarter Horse and Paint.

I have seen an interesting Prestige leisure saddle that seems to have a space cut off to relive the cocyx area but cannot see one in a shop to view it in the flesh.

Has anyone had similar issues and found a saddle that helps? I do have pregabalin, co-codamol and anti inflammatories to get through the day and I am keen not to give up riding.

Thanks

 

[Gloi]

I don't know if it will help you but when I damaged my coccyx I bought a Torsion treeless saddle which together with its thick pad was soft and allowed me to ride.

 

[planete]

Could this shape of saddle help?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/731272058231454233/

. I assume you have tried the Acavallo ortho coccyx seat saver?

 

[ozpoz]

Have a look at Smart saddles, they really help with back pain for many people and you can have a test ride and trial to see how you get on.

 

[KEK]

I have awful coccyx pain, too. Used to be couldn't sit without pain but now I can sit but riding hurts. The best seat saver I tried is the block the shock, but it only helps a little.
I, too looked into saddles but couldn't find anything that would fit my (chunky) Connie. I will be interested to hear how you get on!

 

[Flame_]

Flair air bags or Reactor Panel for your back. Sadly there's no guarantee that your horse will get on with them and it's an expensive experiment.

 

[scats]

Acavallo gel pads now have a coccyx one with a gap in it. Might be worth a look?

 

[Celtic Fringe]

You could consider something like the 'Total Contact' saddle with a good pad. My friend who fractured her back and damaged her coccyx could ride comfortably in mine. Another advantage is that they fit anything and are quite inexpensive - you might be able to get one second-hand. I have a friend who rides in nothing else and also competes in horseback archery to quite a high level.

 

[CarlungM]

Could this shape of saddle help?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/731272058231454233/

. I assume you have tried the Acavallo ortho coccyx seat saver?

Interesting shape- thank you for that

 

[CarlungM]

I have awful coccyx pain, too. Used to be couldn't sit without pain but now I can sit but riding hurts. The best seat saver I tried is the block the shock, but it only helps a little.
I, too looked into saddles but couldn't find anything that would fit my (chunky) Connie. I will be interested to hear how you get on!

I will let you know. I have tried western- including custom made but as the pain got worse that proved a bad option, I have tried Sensation treeless, comfy until about a year ago, I am currently in a South African one for trecking and have a Eurolight- unsure if either will give enough relief for me. I will let you know though

 

[CarlungM]

You could consider something like the 'Total Contact' saddle with a good pad. My friend who fractured her back and damaged her coccyx could ride comfortably in mine. Another advantage is that they fit anything and are quite inexpensive - you might be able to get one second-hand. I have a friend who rides in nothing else and also competes in horseback archery to quite a high level.

That's interesting as I would like to do horseback archery after this is all sorted out.

 

[maya2008]

Torsion - very comfy soft seat, and there is a seat saver available to make it even better.

On a normal saddle, there are lots of gel and memory foam seat savers that might help?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Don’t WOW do something designed for that?

 

[sbloom]

Squishy foam - can't support the skeleton and can lead to irritation of soft tissues as the bones sink in.

Cut outs - may or may not help, but a narrow or more curved seat, from side to side, is more likely to cause coccxyx pain than a wider, flatter seat.

You could throw a lot of money at this and just be guessing, are you working with off horse movement specialists alongside the medical people? Analysing your pelvis and hip hang would be the way to go (a handful of biomechanics coaches, bodyworkers and saddle fitters offer this) then choosing a saddle to suit - a stable base of support for the pelvis is a game changer for all sorts of issues of pain, comfort, effectiveness.

 

[Maddy]

I would recommend the acavallo coccyx seat saver. I started using one after getting a very bruised coccyx riding my big moving share horse. Worth a try as cheaper than buying a new saddle

 

[CarlungM]

Squishy foam - can't support the skeleton and can lead to irritation of soft tissues as the bones sink in.

Cut outs - may or may not help, but a narrow or more curved seat, from side to side, is more likely to cause coccxyx pain than a wider, flatter seat.

You could throw a lot of money at this and just be guessing, are you working with off horse movement specialists alongside the medical people? Analysing your pelvis and hip hang would be the way to go (a handful of biomechanics coaches, bodyworkers and saddle fitters offer this) then choosing a saddle to suit - a stable base of support for the pelvis is a game changer for all sorts of issues of pain, comfort, effectiveness.

Thanks- hadn't thought about a biomechanics coach/saddle fitter