Issue with stirrup buckle on new saddle...

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Christmas Crumpet

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Getting a new saddle is never ever easy. At least not for me!! If it fits me, it doesn't fit the horse. If it fits the horse, there is something wrong for me!!

New saddle made for horse came yesterday and fits her beautifully and she is ever so relaxed in it and happy. I felt a bit odd with a lump under my thigh and pointed it out to the saddler who said it might just take some getting used to.

Rode again this morning and its so uncomfy. I think it must be the buckle of my stirrup leathers which have never been a problem before but clearly are with this saddle. What can I do about it? Have left him a message to ring me back but just wondered what anyone else has done in a case like this? It felt like my thigh was being pushed away from the saddle and all I could feel was this lump under my thigh and couldn't get comfy at walk at all. Trot and canter were ok.

However I've bought this saddle to hunt in and I am not comfy at all!!!!
 
Either get those T-bar leathers or turn your existing leathers upside down (buckle by the stirrup iron) and put a stirrup leather sleeve on so that the end of the leather doesn't flap. You can get neoprene stirrup leather sleeves on ebay.
 
I will try with stirrup leathers the other way round this evening but am rather worried that the saddle is too wide for me and the bump is because of that. It does look very wide and flat on top and I'm only little. I am used to being able to put my entire leg round the horse as opposed to part of my thigh and then the rest of the leg being pushed outwards. I just couldn't get comfy at all. The horse loves it which is good. But I cannot go hunting feeling like that. It will hurt a lot.
 
Sounds like the stirrup bars are not recessed very far. What make is the saddle? Indian saddles often have this problem. I'd be talking to the saddler and get him to check the stirrup bar alignment

Or

Have you got short girth straps and the buckles are under your leg?
 
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Its a new saddle made by Rich & Sons (down here in the West country). Its a working hunter saddle with forward cut flaps as I ride short and horse has big shoulders. Horse went beautifully in it and so relaxed so great for her. Not great for me.

And yes I agree about the stirrup bar alignment - it is a big lump on both thighs that is all I can think about riding as its pushing my thigh out and is so uncomfy. I will try with stirrup leathers wrong way round but I think it might be more than that.

How long does it take to sort out stirrup bars then?!! I've got a lot planned for my pony now we have a saddle… I am utterly fed up. The girth straps are short yes but they aren't close to my thigh - its def. in the stirrup bar area that is causing the issue.
 
Not sure - will go home at lunchtime and have a look. Wish Mr Saddler would ring me back so we can get cracking with what to do. I'm not sure I can face riding and getting sore thighs again. I am sure my legs are still aching. My stirrups are the Bates ones http://www.batessaddles.com/index.php/mounts-accessories/bates-stirrup-leathers/
which are really slimline anyway. That makes me wonder whether it is more than the stirrup buckle causing the issue.

I am delighted though with how happy the pony seemed. She is quite a sensitive creature and she wasn't remotely stressy… well not until she thought she could hear hounds miles away and then got quite excited!!!
 
I have just spoken to the very nice saddler and I am off to see him with the saddle tomorrow. He thinks the stirrup bars need adjusting and probably not very much but it is a bit like the princess and the pea. Fingers crossed its that and not that the twist is too wide as well…

Will try stirrup leathers when I get home though.
 
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