Riding Aids for back injuries?

Illusion100

Illusion100

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Hi,

Recently got back into the horsey world after a bad fall and my 3 yr old is ready for backing this spring.

Due to accident that lead to spinal surgery (and residual damage), I can't help but feel a seatsaver of some sort is in order!

Having ridden a few horses recently, furry seatsavers do nothing for me apart from fractionally minimise painful seat bones!

Having heard of these Gel out/Gel in seatsavers and am talking myself into buying one, mainly as they claim to reduce concussion to the spine. At the same time I don't want it to be a 3-person job to prise me out of the saddle again!

If anyone has experience with them I'm all ears or does anyone know of a suitable alternative?

Thanks!
 
Hi. I've got the gel out seatsaver and I've also got the heather moffet seat saver. For stick ability in the saddle the acavello is marginally better, but if like me, you tend to slide off went getting off, rather than a traditional leap off, you will probably find the pad coming with you. I actually prefer my heather moffet seat saver for comfort and it doesn't slide off with me. What is really wonderful, comfort wise is the heather moffet softetree fhoenix saddle which I've recently invested in (2nd hand) . Like riding on your favourite armchair.
 
Thanks everyone, never heard of the Heather Moffett one! Prefer the look of it. Never seen any seatsaver other than the usual ones in local tackstores, so thanks again for that.

The Heather Moffett one seems to be a one size fits all? Or am I reading description wrong? Have dressage and sj/xc saddles so very different seat shapes.
 
I had one on my dressage saddle (Jaguar) it fitted well and could not be seen because my axxe is too large for any of it to be on show unless I fell off.
 
For those of you that are interested Horse health have an offer of 10% off on all Acavallo gel products including the seat savers at the moment. Long history of back issues and wouldnt ride without mine.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Excellent ! I have just looked at the gel out pad and it is dressage legal. The read up and reviews are good and I am tempted, my poor old bones are not what they used to be and I need all the help I can get.
Click to expand...

I saw the Gel ones were Dressage legal, but I hope to event my boy. I feel for your old bones, I'm missing parts of mine (wish I could get them back). I just don't want to feel 'stuck' to the saddle but, like you, I need cushioning for past their sell by date bones!
 
Gel out. Rode daughters pony few months ago and of course cool teenagers wouldnt be seen dead with a seat saver on their saddle & boy did I know about it - made me realise what a difference it does make. Also have flexi stirrups which I think also help.
 
How do you dismount if you're using a Gel Out? I take my feet out of the stirrups, lean forward with my upper body and swing my right leg over the horse's back, then slither (probably rather inelegantly) slowly down until both feet touch the ground.

Bit worried that if I got a Gel Out, I would be stuck at the leaning across the saddle stage and be unable to slither down. My back is pretty knackered and stiff. Any advice from Gel Out users would be very welcome!

Oh yes, and another vote for flexi stirrups, I use Sprenger Bow Balance stirrups. We ladies of a certain age need every little aid to comfort that we can get!
 
I recently bought an Acavello gel out to hopefully alleviate my lower back pain and give a bit of extra 'hold' when he is being a bit spooky. I have only used it with ordinary jods so haven't had that 'stuck down' sensation and no probs getting off, although I can still swing over quickly rather than doing it slowly and carefully to dismount. Does feel nice and secure and gives a bit of cushioning - my back has felt better (although I have also made a point of cutting back on heavy lifting too And started wearing a back brace). That said I am in agony today but will put this down to having been bedridden for a couple of days this week. :(
 
Just a quick note for people about the gel out (from a physio). It is worth bearing in mind if your issue is compression (in which case this can help) or shearing (back to front movement hurts) in which case these can make things worse as obviously your pelvis is stuck and your spine 'shears' against it (it should flex but we don't all have perfect posture).

xx
 
I'm on the hunt for a seat saver and was thinking of getting a Gel Out one. Probably won't now - I slither off the side slowly due to back issues and didn't think about getting stuck! lol. My friend has a HM seat saver, I might try that a couple of times and see how I get on before forking out.

Anyone use the Gel In seat saver? Looks like it would help with "bumps" but without the sticking when you slide off problem?
 
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