Seat savers

S

stimpy

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 February 2009
Messages
548
Visit site
I have finally found a saddle that is stable for my super, super wide pony but the twist is quite wide and after a ride yesterday I've figured out why it is making me sore and it's because my seat bones are directly over the seams in the seat. I'm wondering about a seat saver to make it better for me so but there seem to be absolutely loads to choose from these days so what do you recommend? Do you prefer gel/suede/memory foam/wool and why? Ideally I'd like one that has some structure to make the twist a little narrower too, I only know of the HM hip saver that does that but I'm not so keen on the fittings on the HM ones, I've ridden in one before and didn't find it very secure on the saddle and whatever I get will also be used for schooling so I do not want it moving.
 
Well....... there are the Acavello ones; either Gel Out or Gel In; I'd guess they are fairly secure.

I tried the HM one; OMFG it was the most uncomfortable thing I've ever sat on. Like sitting on sandpaper, my poor little winky-bits were not impressed with it at all, had to get off and walk after half-an-hour. Never again!

I do have a very nice real sheepskin one which is just the job.

The thing I do have an element of a question-mark about with your saddle currently is that it IS making you sore. My concern would be that if YOU are uncomfortable, then that can so easily translate down onto the horse's back, and you may be - unconsciously or otherwise - be making subtle adjustments to your own way of sitting in this saddle which will then impact your horse's way of going and possibly even cause a back issue in the future.

My advice would be to think again as to whether it is actually suitable for BOTH of you; and perhaps get an expert saddle fitter in to find something suitable for both horse AND rider. You both need to be comfortable, and if the rider isn't comfy the horse won't be either, and vice versa.

Good luck! It is a nightmare with a chubby, as I know well.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
My advice would be to think again as to whether it is actually suitable for BOTH of you; and perhaps get an expert saddle fitter in to find something suitable for both horse AND rider. You both need to be comfortable, and if the rider isn't comfy the horse won't be either, and vice versa.

Good luck! It is a nightmare with a chubby, as I know well.
Click to expand...

Fair point but my impression is that my horse does like it, her stride length is longer and she is storming down steep hills which has been an issue for us in our saddle quest. I'm a trained massage therapist so I can keep an eye on her back muscles too. But you are right, if I'm not comfy that will be an issue for her eventually. Sometimes it feels likes a saddle that fits both of us is like the Holy Grail 😩
 
I think there’s a difference here between structural discomfort (saddle just the wrong shape for your anatomy) and ‘skin’ discomfort - it’s rubbing you, perhaps because of the seams or where your underwear sits, or because it’s hard leather. The former won’t be helped by a seat saver that is essentially just padding but the latter might.

I have the acavallo gel in and it’s fabulous for longer hacks - all my saddles are structurally comfortable but a couple are a bit harder and I get saddle sores if out hunting all day, etc. it works well for those (word of warning; the patterned gel on the inside can mark the leather - it doesn’t bother me much, just a little hexagon pattern which does eventually polish out).
 
I used a sheepskin one after having to get another saddle, it fitted the horse well but I found the seat not as soft as my previous one and decided to look after my old bones. It really helped.
 
splashgirl45 said:
I used a sheepskin one after having to get another saddle, it fitted the horse well but I found the seat not as soft as my previous one and decided to look after my old bones. It really helped.
Click to expand...

I bought a Mattes sheepswool one off eBay recently and I am so pleased with myself! I used an Acavello gel out before that, and it was good, but the sheepy one is better.
 
I've used the Acavello Gel in one and it is very comfortable for me but wouldn't necessarily change the shape of the seat if that's the problem for you. Do you know of anyone that has one you can borrow for a ride?
 
If your seatbones are on the seams then the seat is too narrow for you, and that may be from it being too long too, the larger the seat size the narrower the area you sit on. It doesn't at all sound like a too wide twist issue. A seat saver may help but you may not get relief in this saddle and need a wider seat


See if you can find a fitter who can analyse and map your pelvic shape and hip conformation.
 
sbloom said:
If your seatbones are on the seams then the seat is too narrow for you, and that may be from it being too long too, the larger the seat size the narrower the area you sit on. It doesn't at all sound like a too wide twist issue. A seat saver may help but you may not get relief in this saddle and need a wider seat


See if you can find a fitter who can analyse and map your pelvic shape and hip conformation.
Click to expand...

Thanks @sbloom. How would I go about finding a fitter who can do that analysis and mapping? In 40 years of having saddles fitted I have never come across a fitter offering anything like that as a service.
 
stimpy said:
Thanks @sbloom. How would I go about finding a fitter who can do that analysis and mapping? In 40 years of having saddles fitted I have never come across a fitter offering anything like that as a service.
Click to expand...

It's a fairly new approach and not offered by many. The SMS don't include anything like it in their training and the same for the other saddle fitting organisations afaik. There is some CPD training in it offered by Caroline Lindsay, she might have a list, and there are a couple of us trained by the originator of this technique, Maria Hallring.

For anyone thinking that it might help them it looks like the HM hip saver is only for treeless saddles, I had been suggesting them to customers needing a narrower twist so need to stop that!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top