saddle fits horse but not rider...

S

snowstormII

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 December 2007
Messages
233
Visit site
15.2hh ID x cob wide tree, not much wither and slightly (very slightly) downhill. My saddler seems to have found a saddle to fit him (Kent an Masters flat-back GP), which wasn't as easy as I thought, BUT it makes my coccyx ache like mad, as did the same make dressage saddle I had for my TB. It is not a rubbing/chaffage problem, more like making the muscles around my coccyx/sacroilliac ache where they attach onto the bones. It only happens in walk and standing still, it is a relief to trot and canter. I guess I am a bit spoilt as my other saddle is a Heather Moffett Fhoenix, which is like riding on a cloud. However I need a saddle I can hunt in.

Anyone have a magic wand to make the saddle fit me too, or should I step away from this make?
 
no magic but Heather Moffett makes seat savers, so perhaps worth having a look. Perhaps some lessons with a dressage instructor to check you are not hollowing your back?
 
How about trying an avacallo gel seat saver? I've never ridden in a Heather Moffat one so can't comment but I have a gel out which has proven invaluable for my back aches and pains
 
Just as an after thought. I found Kent and Masters saddles tilted me forward slightly- too slightly to even notice at the fitting. On discussing this with a saddler he said the seats do slant up at the back more giving some riders problems and the way to rectify was a seat size bigger if your horse can cope with that? Different rider problem but could be worth looking at?
 
Step away. My friend tried to 'get on' with a saddle that didn't fit her, to spend a year of reguarly (as in at every competative ride) falling off for no apparent reason. Wrecked her confidence. However the day she fell off in a green, wet ditch and emerged looking like the creature from the black lagoon was hilarious!
 
I'd say step away, the trees aren't that flat, do have that long slope up and a very short flat spot for the rider (ie pretty much none). There are flat more open seated saddles out there.
 
if a saddle doesn't fit you then it's doing the horse no favours either - you need to be able to balance effortlessly in a saddle not fight it all the time. With a horse that is built downhill it's even more important as you've already got a task in getting them off their forehand. Riding well is not just about looking pretty - it has a profound effect on the horse's health and soundness.

If the saddle balance cannot be adjusted then you really need to find another saddle.
 
I had the same problem with the wintec . Went back to his old saddle (now freshly flocked ) and problem is gone. I don't think my pony can take a bigger seat, alas! I would step away or try bigger seat if you can.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top