Total contact saddle

[saskiahorsey]

Ok so having spent a fortune on saddles and saddle fitters and still having no saddle or a sore horse.... Having gone down the treeless route and spent a small fortune on the high end treeless im tempted to try one of these....now when iv searched my many saddles ( treed) iv found 50/50 posts... When i have searched treeless iv had 50/50 posts... Nearly every good reccommendation has been followed by a bad experience.... Yet iv searched these and found those who have not tried are dubious but those who have tried are pleased and i cannot find a single post stating that it gave pressure points caused a back prob etc etc.... Now im not totally convinced as have spent nearly 2000 on a solution saddle to still have a few probs etc .... I guess what im trying to say is is it poss a 200 quid piece of leather could be my answer and has anyone used one and had a bad experience...i dont mean as a rider but a detremental effect on your horse ??? Or can someone point me to one post that shows pressure issues etc .... Im not expecting miracles but im at last resort and need to ride her but im not confident without stirrups ! Thanks

 

[dollyanna]

I have one (not used much as for my youngsters who aren't riding yet), and like you did a HUGE amount of research over several years trying to find negatives from people who had actually had one and used it, not just those who looked and judged without trying. I think the UK distributor states that he has only had 1 returned over the years, and they are rare to find secondhand and those that I have found secondhand are often because the rider wanted a different colour! I'm sure you have seen the photos on the fb page but there are some interesting before and after pictures that are certainly thought-provoking.
So far I love mine. I tested it on 2 strange ponies I had never ridden, one small 13.2hh skinny welshy and one 15hhwelsh cob. Both had a bronc, the small one put her head down and tried to bolt, on neither of them did I feel unsafe but I have ridden the small one once before years ago and didn't feel secure in the saddle, I felt perched. With the TC I felt really safe, comfortable, surprisingly secure, and the only problem I had was with my lower leg which wasn't used to riding and therefore weak after a break of several years. Owners of both animals were impressed at how comfortable and free they looked, and expressed interest in trying it themselves. And best of all despite a 1.5hr hack after no riding for at least 5 yrs I had absolutely no saddle soreness or aching whatsoever! I know you are asking from the point of view of the horse, but it has really impressed me.
I think it is important to get the padding right though, which varies for each horse - they recommend gel pads, but my favourite so far was a good quality western pad and the horse certainly felt very happy in it.
I'd be really interested to hear how you get on if you do try one - and can recommend talking to the distributor, he is excellent at asking questions and does think about the answers instead of just giving you the publicity spiel.

 

[Spotsrock]

2 of my friends have them and swear by them.

 

[Spotsrock]

Search total contact saddle on here and you'll find an old post with pics of pingpongpony jumping well over a meter in hers

 

[saskiahorsey]

Thank you so much for your reply.... Yes that is very helpful.... These saddles seem to have been around for a few years .. I was worried like some by the pressure aspect but having searched and searched threads i still cant find one actual user who has had a pressure problem .... I guess il just order one and see for myself ... I have a very tricky mare my main concern was if i would feel secure as she can be very sharp....but im at the end of my tether and cannot afford to spend anymore huge amounts on saddles that i buy then make a loss on...iv spent far more on saddles than i have on her lol

 

[saskiahorsey]

Search total contact saddle on here and you'll find an old post with pics of pingpongpony jumping well over a meter in hers

I have seen all the threads on here with regards to this saddle lol...hence looking for more recent feedback that was maybe negative .... Im impressed there isnt any ��

 

[Spotsrock]

We went same rounds when PPP got hers and couldn't find any either

Enjoy your new saddle when it arrives!

 

[saskiahorsey]

Well iv bit the bullet and ordered one... Im guessing for the money if it doesnt work it wont break the bank.... But im hoping i have the same success as others .... I will def post a feedback once iv tried it...thanks for the info ��

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I'd be very interested to read your review. I hope it works out or you.

If you have time, it would also be informative to know what other saddles you tried and the positives/negatives of them.

 

[dollyanna]

You do need to rely on your seat and balance more I think, because you don't have the support of knee rolls, deep seats etc but most people with sharp ponies find that a lot of the sharpness reduces with the TC because they are aware of tension much much earlier and therefore can change or deal with it because it becomes a real "spook" or reaction. I did find it strange, it was as if I had become psychic, knowing there was a buck or spook coming without really knowing why, much sooner than a normal saddle!

 

[kez81]

I have tried a ridiculous amount of treed and treeless saddles over the years and in the end the only ones I have kept are my Heather Moffett, Dartmoor tree free, Lamfelle bareback saddle and Total Contact. It does take a bit of time to get used to riding in it as it doesn't give you the same security of seat that a traditional saddle does. That being said once you find your balance its great as you can feel every little change in movement. I have sat some pretty exuberant bucks without feeling like I was going to fly out side door. I have never had any issues with pressure ( i also use a thick western pad under it) but I don't ride in it all the time, mostly just for jumping practice or when riding the kids wizzy pony. I have mine in a lovely cognac red which looks really smart and it is good quality leather.

 

[Beausmate]

I had a small problem with mine on my little tb. As he has aged, his spine has become more prominent and he did get a bit grumpy. Two gel pads and a Premier Equine correction pad on top has solved the problem as he's as perky as ever now.
I backed the cob in it and have sat through a few 'bucky bucky wheee!' moments with no trouble at all. You do feel it on a wide beasty though, as there is no twist to stop you having to stretch. Cob has one gel pad and a Prolite wither pad under the TC. It's nice English leather and really well made too. One thing I will say, is get some buckle guards (Shires do a two-slot guard), as they don't (didn't?) come with them.

I think it could well be the only saddle in the world that can fit through a standard letterbox!

 

[saskiahorsey]

Thanks for the info on padding etc.... I have a gel pad and was thinking of a thick numnah and half pad ... Quite excited for it to arrive now

 

[Beausmate]

One other thing that I wasn't prepared for, was the fact my stirrup leathers would be far too long, due to the lower bar positioning on the TC. I also had to get a shorter girth.

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

Any issues with pressure anyone? And how laterally stable are they? (Horse spooks 4ft to the side then runs!)

 

[saskiahorsey]

One other thing that I wasn't prepared for, was the fact my stirrup leathers would be far too long, due to the lower bar positioning on the TC. I also had to get a shorter girth.

Yes i did read you would need shorter stirrups longer girth iv ordered the one with short straps so il def need a new girth .... Rode bareback yesterday and have to say shes quite comfy to ride but i do miss the security of my stirrups so im hoping this works .... Does anyone ride longer hacks in theirs ? As this would be used as main saddle thanks

 

[saskiahorsey]

Does anyone use a gel half pad or do you think the sticky would be a hindrance rather than a help ? I was thinking a gel pad numnah and then a shires half pad but they do a gel one .., do you think the gel would be too much against bum... Was hoping it might help me feel a bit less slippery and secure etc thanks

 

[dollyanna]

Best place to ask that would be on the fb page - he will flag it up and get some answers from current users I am sure!

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

I think the UK distributor states that he has only had 1 returned over the years

...that'll be me then! I tried it and just couldn't get on with it at all - I found it really threw my legs into an awkward position on my Exie and despite trying my hardest to keep them back and on, I admitted defeat!
I ride now in a Zoe Snape Shetland showing pad (with longer flaps to suit the Exie body) and for almost 2 years since swapping my saddle for the pad, I haven't had a single back issue with my pony - previously I needed a lot of work done to her due to saddles causing her a lot of discomfort despite being professionally fitted by people specialising in fitting ponies like mine with saddles.
I have done everything in the pad - county level showing, dressage, jumping, fun rides, hacking, wild pony gatherings across the moors of Exmoor...I occasionally find myself dreaming of knee rolls but then I remember how fantastically my little mare is going and those thoughts quickly leave my mind!
I use a mattes sheepskin half pad directly under the showing pad with a poly pad underneath that and have no pressure points at all - clean bill of health every time from my back lady!

 

[MagicMelon]

I saw these, surely you're not allowed to compete in them though (what ARE the rules regarding saddles)? I know some people claim to jump in them but I've always been led to believe jumping in a treeless saddle was bad because you needed the gullet of a "traditional" saddle over the spine, whereas these "saddles" are directly on the spine? When I saw a photo of one I actually thought it was just a fun way of sort of going bareback, I didn't think it was meant for riding properly or regularly in.

 

[saskiahorsey]

Its nice to know it wasnt a pressure issue and it was a riding one exmoor ...i have asked on his fb page but not sure hes updating it often etc.

Magic melon i think BS are ok not sure about BE but tbh i just need to be able to ride my mare so competeing affiliated is a long way off .... I think everyone who sees these saddle says the same as you about pressure but i am still yet to find one single person who has used one and had pressure issues etc ... Im hoping its not me ��

 

[[59668]]

Its nice to know it wasnt a pressure issue and it was a riding one exmoor ...i have asked on his fb page but not sure hes updating it often etc.

Magic melon i think BS are ok not sure about BE but tbh i just need to be able to ride my mare so competeing affiliated is a long way off .... I think everyone who sees these saddle says the same as you about pressure but i am still yet to find one single person who has used one and had pressure issues etc ... Im hoping its not me ��

I tried one and liked it, but not BE legal.

 

[MagicMelon]

I tried one and liked it, but not BE legal.

I'm not a BE member just now, what are the rules regarding this? Do they say that saddles must be "traditional" type or something? I just wonder how they actually rule out new things like this when I guess the only thing missing as such is a moulded seat to sit in!

OP, thing is I think I'd worry that the vast majority who have used these "saddles" haven't done so for much actual schooling or jumping etc. - wouldn't they be more used for hacking? In which case, maybe pressure points wouldn't be so obvious as when jumping or whatever.

 

[Beausmate]

I believe they were originally designed by an Italian showjumper.

 

[Wagtail]

I just cannot see how they don't cause pressure points. The weight of the rider through the stirrups is pressed directly onto the spinal ligaments. It's not something I would choose.

 

[Beausmate]

Not the designer in the vid, but a pro that uses it. Have a look near the end of the vid.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgAbkpeNrUk#t=295

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I just cannot see how they don't cause pressure points. The weight of the rider through the stirrups is pressed directly onto the spinal ligaments. It's not something I would choose.

But they don't have panels and a gullet, so you don't have the edge of the panel over the ligaments like you would with a badly fitted treed saddle. I would have thought that you would get more pressure on the area above the actual spine, rather than either side of it. The big question (if my theory is correct) is whether or not that is a problem/uncomfortable for the horse. I don't know the answer as I've never used a TC.

This is interesting reading though. http://www.total-contact.co.uk/index.php/total-contact-horse-riding-saddle-and-pressure/

 

[PingPongPony]

They're BS legal, not BE (because need tradtional english tack for dressage) and not BD legal (same thing again)
I used one as my only saddle for 2 years, competed at about 1.10m SJ, jumped up to 1.40m at home, been XC etc, no problems at all, and no pressure points, physio who has known horse for years has said she'd never seen this horses back be so straight and relaxed, horse was also a lot more relaxed to ride, quite a spooky mare usually, but in this, the spookiness reduced by at least 50%, and any spooks there were coming up, you could feel and correct before they escalated. I love love love this saddle, cannot recommend it enough!
It improves your feel and your seat, and your balance, you learn to stop relying on the saddle to hold you in place, but to actually ride and hold yourself on the horse!
Regarding, shires gel half pad to sit on, go for it OP, it is fabulous, that's what I had on my mare and OMG heaven for your bum
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have if you want to know more, just PM me

 

[Wagtail]

Oh definitely, badly fitting treed saddles without adequate gullet widths are going to cause soreness, and perhaps more so than the total contact due to the sideways pressure. And sadly, I think those horses that actually 'complain' about saddle fit are the very small tip of the iceberg. I wish they could talk. Sometimes I think we are just fumbling about in the dark.

 

[cobgoblin]

Z

But they don't have panels and a gullet, so you don't have the edge of the panel over the ligaments like you would with a badly fitted treed saddle. I would have thought that you would get more pressure on the area above the actual spine, rather than either side of it. The big question (if my theory is correct) is whether or not that is a problem/uncomfortable for the horse. I don't know the answer as I've never used a TC.

This is interesting reading though. http://www.total-contact.co.uk/index.php/total-contact-horse-riding-saddle-and-pressure/

I read through that , but even TSC admit that the pliance doesn't cover the area over the spine where the pressure from the stirrups must surely occur. I also looked for a pic of the underside of the saddle to see if there was any padding to relieve pressure in that area but I couldn't find one. Can anyone explain what the underside of the saddle looks like? Is all the weight taken on mini panels either side?