New dressage saddle causing me pain - any physios/doctors here?

Birker2020

Birker2020

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How long does it take to become used to a new saddle?

After all these years of riding in my event saddle and doing dressage to elementary in it (now I can't imagine how I managed) I finally got a new saddle (Isabelle Cair dressage saddle) Although I've had it over a year now, I had issues with the woman who sold it me, and never got it checked after the inital riding in, so have only just got it checked by a decent saddle fitter and it fits my horse really well now!

Trouble is it is causing me problems. The muscle on the outside of my left hip which I think is the gluteal medius is really sore, when I ress it slightly it feels like someone is cutting me with a knife. When I ride in the saddle it doesn't hurt but when I am lying down in bed (particularly on that side) I get a cramping type of pain which radiates along this muscle. It makes me feel sick (like when you hit your funny bone type of sick) and its very unpleasant, and its a consistent type of ache. I also have really tight hamstrings, and these can be excrutiating at times if I get cramp. I already take 8 co-codamol a day for my disc and 6 ibuprofen and 3 gabapentin which is for nerve pain so can't imagine why the gabapentin is not working. I have been referred to a physio but will not see them until the new year.

The inital injury to the gluteal maximus and hamstring was as a result of a fall when I sommersaulted in the air off my horse landing on my back with my left leg bent at the knee.

I think things will get better once I am used to the saddle. I would say I have only ridden in it for a total of about 12 hours so far so its a steep learning curve.

Does anyone else have problems with their saddle causing them issues? Any physios or doctors that can recommend some exercises to do in the meantime. I used to something exercise wise for my periformis muscle after my slipped disc, would this work?
 
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Years ago I bought a saddle it did not suit me at all I was uncomfortable all the time felt like I could not ride in sitting trot ( advanced horse so a big problem )but it fit the horse .
When the horse retired it went straight to be sold .
And I got another and discovered I could do sitting trot I did not need to be uncomfortable and I felt like I could ride .
I can never work out why looking back I did not get shot of it .
 
About 6 years ago, I had a Wintec Isabelle and had lower back/hip problems. At the time I was suffering from a slipped disc so assumed it was because of that and thought nothing of it but sold it not long after. A few years ago I tried a dressage saddle from Ideal that is supposed to be very similar to the Wintec Isabelle cut. It gave me terrible hip problems and tweaked my back needless to say I did not buy that particular model. A few weeks ago my best friend called and said she's just bought a Wintec Isabelle but she was struggling because she wasn't used to a dressage saddle and was having terrible hip problems...... Cue an *A HA* moment from me, I think for some people the cut of that particular saddle just does not work.

I hate to say it but I think you are one of those people and that saddle will not work for you, you need to be especially careful with your back history.....
 
It sounds like you need to see a good chiropractor. I know I'd be in a wheelchair if it weren't for mine.

The fall may have resulted in your pelvis being moved out of alignment. It will take many visits to get right so be patient.

A few weeks ago I was bent double after I braved sitting on the grass (work team meeting), got part way down, knee complained and Gravity took over! :D after a couple of visits to the chiropractor and sitting on a frozen hot water bottle several times a day we were sorted. I visit at least once a month to keep me sorted.
 
From your description, Imo it sounds like a combination of saddle/already tight muscles which have irritated your TFL - tensor fascia latae - a muscle that runs from from outer hip to knee. It's related to glut max as well as it works.

You could try some stretches, one is siting on floor, cross the sore leg over other and "hug" your knee to your chest.
To increase the amount of stretch you can also twist upper body towards the leg you are streching, but need to be careful if you already have back problems. Try googling tfl stretches online, hopefully will help :)
 
I have issues with my TFL that radiate down to my knee and spots can become untouchable (this is on the side that is slightly stretched from top to pelvis at least. I find doing some home pressure point therapy followed by stretching helps, oh and good manipulating physio, a few needles, the odd bit of ultrasound and a bit of unpicking from a pilates instructor who happens to ride a wonky older horse too which is why one side of me is stretched ;).
 
its probably actually your discs indirectly causing the pain ,ive had disc surgery and before hand i couldnt ride without excrutiating pain in my hip ,nothing i did made any difference ,once id had surgery (it was an emergency in the end) i found the hip pain lessened but can no longer ride in anything but a dressage saddle , i have to use a sheepskin seatsaver as ive discovered i tense my hips muscles without realising if the saddles cold. i can no longer feel one seatbone or my right leg from the knee down due to nerve damage because i ignored my disc problem .make sure you get an mri to see whats going on ,it may be you disc has degenerated more .
 
Are you hollowing your back on this saddle? Also are your thighs on about a 45 degree or are you riding a bit straight? Could be worth a good look in a mirror reflections somewhere as it can be really hard to tell on yourself! Hope you find a cure!!!
 
I had a Bates Isabel and found it really uncomfortable, it was suggested that the stirrup bar is positioned further back on some dressage saddles, Great for a highly trained and fit rider but not me.
 
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