Saddle recommendations for an arthritis sufferer?

[Hatts24]

Hi all, I've been riding all my life but do suffer from Rheumatoid arthritis and a muscle weakening condition. I'm not the most balanced in the saddle and certainly not the most stylish!

I've had my Cob in a Wintec VSD for the past two years and have found it a comfy saddle but I do suffer with stability in the saddle and my knees often kill if I ride for more than 1/2 hours.

Has anybody had any experience with saddles that have helped them? (I also have the Compositi reflex stirrups which have helped my ankles and knees a lot.)

 

[Spotherisk]

I’m sorry you’re suffering with RA. I just have old back and hip damage and find my Ideal Grandee is great to ride in. Unfortunately the Ideal Jessica dressage is absolute agony as I’m unable to move about, so GP it is these days! I had a Thorowgood cob on a loan Highland and found it absolute agony for my hips and back, I think it’s cut meant I had to ride too long for my comfort.

 

[Winters100]

Have you tried a Western saddle? I am no expert, but I tried one recently and it was so super comfortable that I have ordered one to use for winter exercise. I eventually choose a Barefoot Arizona, but I have not received it yet so I don't know how it will be. But maybe you can try Western style to see if it suits you? Wishing you all the best.

 

[Hatts24]

I’m sorry you’re suffering with RA. I just have old back and hip damage and find my Ideal Grandee is great to ride in. Unfortunately the Ideal Jessica dressage is absolute agony as I’m unable to move about, so GP it is these days! I had a Thorowgood cob on a loan Highland and found it absolute agony for my hips and back, I think it’s cut meant I had to ride too long for my comfort.

That's interesting, I'm wondering if I'm riding too long as well because of the Saddle!

 

[Hatts24]

Have you tried a Western saddle? I am no expert, but I tried one recently and it was so super comfortable that I have ordered one to use for winter exercise. I eventually choose a Barefoot Arizona, but I have not received it yet so I don't know how it will be. But maybe you can try Western style to see if it suits you? Wishing you all the best.

I've never tried a Western saddle, thank you I might go down that route and see what it's like!

 

[sbloom]

There are so many possible answers to this, you really need to work with, ideally, both a biomechanics coach and a great saddle fitter, between them, working together especially, you should get to the bottom of it. Synthetic saddles are hard, full stop. I know so many people that swore their synthetic, or even just synthetic treed, saddle was the comfiest thing ever, until I get them into a well fitting leather saddle on a wooden tree, with soft padding on the knees etc.