Total contact saddle

[pistolpete]

Anyone ridden in one? They do look strange. So odd that they leave the numnah/padding to the individual. Can’t help thinking the pressure from stirrups would be pretty sore after a while for the horse. A friend is getting one for her TB.

 

[Fransurrey]

The people I've known with one loved it (n=2). I know the company did some pressure testing and it was positive (in that there was no more than treed), but there must be anomalies. I did toy with the idea but I need a bit more security in my old age, so decided against!

 

[Peglo]

I’m really intrigued by them but have no idea how there isn’t pressure points. I can’t recall reading any negative feedback though. I’ve not ridden in one but I’ve been in lessons with someone who does and her horse went well.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I think if they suit the horse and rider, they can brilliant. I know a couple of people that do quite a lot in them - one does low level endurance - and they get a clean bill of health from the physio/vet etc every time.

I think it's probably an advantage they leave the padding to the individual as every horse/rider will be different.

 

[pistolpete]

Interesting isn’t it? I really hope it works for my friend as her wow saddle is heavy and he’s had a lot of time off so needs gently returning to work.

 

[webble]

I have read loads of really positive reviews on them from people who have used them but like you I would worry about pressure

 

[planete]

There are three TCS FB groups, the normal one, an endurance one and the second hand TCS one. They have a wealth of ideas on how to optimise the padding for the horse and rider in case your friend needs any help with her TCS set up.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I used one for a while, and rode in it for 5 days consecutively before a routine physio appointment. My physio found no soreness, and was happy with it's usage, and had other clients who had used them when between saddles.

I did use it with serious treeless padding - a shimmed, gulleted christ lamfelle sheepskin saddle cloth and an equitex half pad.

I however found it put me in a chair seat and I didnt really like it.

My horse didnt prefer it enough to persevere with it.

But despite being a scientist by training and not seeing how it works, I have to concede IMO it is a functional option for some horses.

 

[SEL]

I borrowed one from a friend.

Gave me a sore back despite trying to shim / pad etc and the pony was getting decidedly grumpy with me around day 3.

Try before you buy! They delete any non favourable reviews I found.

 

[planete]

I gave myself a bit of a twist and a slightly raised rear section by using a shimmed Prolite as part of my set up which helped a lot with position and comfort.

 

[maya2008]

My kids have ridden in them daily, on multiple ponies, since last summer when we finally gave up trying to make a Thorn pad fit. I ensure no pressure on the spine (as we did with the Thorn pads) and they’re fine. No chair seat with the right padding either.

Limitations we have found: Jumping (low heights are ok). Going up steep hills. Padding can be a faff - needs to suit the conformation of the pony or you will end up all out of balance/something won’t be right for them. You can’t compete in them.

I have played with it - you can pad appropriately for an adult (treeless pad minimum). Happy to hack in one (I tend to sit a lot for trot anyway so can’t see it’s much different than a bareback pad for her at that point), and little NF really likes it for dressage schooling.

I see it as a slightly sturdier, more laterally stable Thorn pad variant. Essentially, the front and back has been cut off so there’s not an issue with it pulling on the wither and you can adjust the seat size with whatever you use for padding.

 

[Landcruiser]

I had one for xmas, planning to ride my youngster away in it later in the year, and currently using it (to get used to it)on my semi retired western trained horse, who has been in an American western saddle for 15 yrs.
I'm still at the experimenting with pads stage and for the moment have dispensed with the TCS seat pad as it tips me forward.
I ride long, and don't find it puts me in a chair seat. The first couple of rides I felt a bit wobbly (quite a change from my western!) but I'm more used to it now and happy to trot and canter although don't feel I'd sit a major spook at the moment. That said, I'm not very riding fit as my old boy does so little and my youngster isn't backed.
My horse goes very nicely and freely in it, and interestingly has done some lovely stretches down that he never does in the western.
You need to really engage your core, and spread your weight under your thighs. I barely put any weight in the stirrups, and rising trot is as much from my thighs as my calves/ankles, I don't feel there is any pressure from the bars. There is definitely spine clearance if your padding is right. I'm using (currently) a Mattes Western pad with shims, with a basic hi viz polypad type numnah on top, which seems to suit. I can get my whole hand down the gullet when the girth is done up.

I know people who have used them for years for TREC including up to Level 4, and horseback archery.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I ride in one; I'm an older rider and my pony (profile pic) is short-backed, bum-high & low withered. I've had her since just-backed at 4yo and have tried various treeless saddles - all of which put me uncomfortably wide and I was getting back & hip pain because of it.

Went to the Total Contact Saddle - and I have to be honest - I disliked it intensely at first. I'd put it with a Christ Lamfelle sheepskin which was putting me too wide. However after a drastic reduction with the sheepskin, AND the addition of the TCS padded seat, I found that actually I was doing OK in it. Pony has regular physio and all is good.

You can trial the TCS. Tip: you may find that if you don't have the TCS padded seat then you may find a rear-riser helps a LOT.

Wouldn't ride in anything else now. Just can't!! A TB at my yard plus a Connemara are also ridden in one.

 

[Jambarissa]

I've ridden in one for 4 years on my 2 horses and my friend has had hers for 2 years. Plus another one on our yard. Never had any issues at all.

I think the people on the FB group over engineer it, they often try to recreate a saddle, in particular spinal clearance. The saddle was designed to be in contact all the way round and those who've ridden in it forever mainly used sheepskin pads and thin gel pads so I'm interested to see whether we start to see more issues.

There us a FB group of those who do endurance in the TCS, that is a proper test imo.

Obviously all horses and riders are different, etc, etc. My horse is wide and I really struggled with not having a twist in the saddle but once I'd stretched a bit I never get hip ache like I did in my saddle.

 

[pistolpete]

So interesting. I have never been any good at saddle free riding always need my stirrups and can’t imagine not having a saddle so I’d be really interested to try it on a safe horse!

 

[Caol Ila]

I’ve found out the hard way that Hermosa really, really likes either/spinal clearance, so that’s probably a no for us.

 

[motherof2beasts!]

I was a bit apprehensive about them but have a very hard to fit horse, tried 4/5 different saddles , 1 being a made to measure Fiona cork, all made him sore. I got a second hand TCS and it’s been amazing , physio is shocked how much better he is, he’s keener in his work, being tacked up etc and never had any issues with it slipping. I have the equitex TCS pad but usually just use that for long hacks and just use a poly pad for schooling. Jumping in it is also surprisingly easy as is sitting the spooks! Only issue for me is can’t do BD in it , can do everything else, so just written off BD as his comfort is more important.

 

[GemmaRuby]

The company remove any negative posts so be careful if relying on those.
I had one for about 6 months for my TB, despite numerous shims/pads as others have said it puts you in a chair seat which isn't favourable. For her it did cause pressure (and white hair started to appear), so I got rid. Partly because after contacting the company for advice they refused to believe I had any problem. Mare went beautifully after Lavinia Mitchell came to us and her muscles and profile improved hugely - which didn't happen in the TCS

 

[pistolpete]

Well she’s managed to acquire one second hand so time will tell. I too had a Lavinia Mitchell. Nicest saddle in the world!

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Interesting to read all these, was actually going to start a thread on these myself as my friend is interested in getting one. I've even thought bought using one on mine but I'm not keen on the position it puts you in?? I'm a bit sceptical about the pressure too...I simply cannot work out how it doesn't cause an issue??

 

[Jambarissa]

Interesting to read all these, was actually going to start a thread on these myself as my friend is interested in getting one. I've even thought bought using one on mine but I'm not keen on the position it puts you in?? I'm a bit sceptical about the pressure too...I simply cannot work out how it doesn't cause an issue??

Agree, it looks wrong.

I made my own pressure pad from playdoh in big zip lock bags. You can hire real ones.

Obviously not scientific but very interesting. In my treed saddle (made for her and recently adjusted) all pressure was under the panels and concentrated on the points of the tree. I compared it to pics online and it certainly wasn't 'bad', my weight has to go somewhere.

Under the TCS the pressure was spread over a huge area - my bum and thighs and the whole top half of the TCS. The worst pressure points were under my seat bones so I've added additional padding there.

I think every horse and rider is different but all of mine much prefer it. I know my horses well so just listen to them and the physio and ignore the comments even though I understand where they're coming from.

The chair seat can be an issue and I go on the FB to say no, it isn't just about looks and it is not OK even if you think you are both comfortable. If you are in chair seat then most of your weight is on your seat bones and your back can't act as a shock absorber and your legs can't work properly. It is easily solved with proper padding, I use an acavallo gel rear riser on my high withered one.

If anyone is interested I suggest buying a used one and reselling if it doesn't work for you, I bet you lose £20 at worst.

 

[Jambarissa]

I should add that I myself did not like it! I put it on and thought 'nope, this is awful' then my horse took off in the longest loosest walk ever and I actually got her to canter in the arena which is generally not her thing.

It took me weeks to get used to it but now traditional saddles feel very confining after 10 minutes.

 

[Tarragon]

I haven't tried a TCS, but I do have an old Barefoot treeless saddle, which I use when I haven't got a suitable treed saddle, e.g. for backing, or for a very fat pony that doesn't have a saddle. It was bought probably 15 years ago, and I imagine that treeless saddles have come along way. I always used a proper Grandeur saddle pad for it that was designed to be used with a treeless saddle. It took some getting used to as it does put you in a different position, but I love that feeling of contact you have with the horse.
However, I have been persuaded that a properly fitting treed saddle is better that a treeless saddle, even though a treeless saddle is useful to have.
I once took my pony on a fast hunt ride. He had been clipped the day before. A day or two after the ride he developed vertical white pressure marks on both sides that followed the line of the stirrups and I know that I did a LOT of trotting that day. These marks did disappear when his new coat grew back. I had previously ridden the Mary Towneley Loop with that saddle, which was mainly at walk, and I think it was fine for that, so I am convinced it was the trotting that made the difference. Are these new saddle pads so much improved that the pressure from the stirrups is not concentrated in one area?

 

[Pinkvboots]

Well she’s managed to acquire one second hand so time will tell. I too had a Lavinia Mitchell. Nicest saddle in the world!

I only have Lavinia Mitchell Dressage saddles now for both of mine I love them so comfortable.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I've just had a look at them and I'm sorry but isnt a saddle its a strip of leather with stirrup leathers attached, I can't see how just padding stops pressure points occurring they wouldn't be for me.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

I’ve ridden in one a few times my mare has always seemed happy and relaxed she does enjoy me riding her bare back though however I use a memory foam numnah underneath & a sheepskin one sounds odd but works well for us. Cantering in it felt really nice aswell my mare would let me know if she wasn’t happy. Not sure I’d have one as her actual saddle but nice for if your waiting for a new saddle etc

 

[isabellea]

It is quite interesting to see all the different experiences. I have been owning one for 3 years now, and it wasn't making much difference with my former horse, but now I have a quite round and flat back Lusitano so I gave it another try and I'm pleasantly surprised.
It definitely requires more effort from the rider to have and maintain a proper riding position, and not find yourself in the chair position, but I find it pretty nice after some time getting used to it (and also getting in a better shape myself), because you can really feel the horse balance and movements, plus my horse definitely loves it so currently I am using it much more than my saddle.

I woud really be interested in anyone who has done pressure measures, as I really don't understand how it manages to avoid any pressure on the horse back.
And it seems to be doing so, as my horse is very sensitive and will get cysts on his back if any friction is present and tensions under pressure areas (I have tried so many saddles even some validated by a saddle fitter...).

 

[Jambarissa]

It doesn't avoid pressure on the back, it has to go somewhere but instead of being mainly on the panels of the saddle and points of the tree it's your butt and thighs and only pressure you put in the stirrups is under the saddle area.

I created my own pressure pads, just play doh in large clear bags rolled flat. I tried it under standard wool numnah and my usual set up of sheepskin numnah with felt and poron shims. Pressure spread well on both but with just the numnah there was a bit more under my seat bones. Everyone on the yard had a go with the bags under various saddles , it's an interesting experiment.

You can hire the proper pressure pads (is it port Lewis pad?) if you like. I think there are also findings on the Facebook site but not sure you could consider them independent.

As with everything it'll work well for some and not others so proceed with caution but I find it annoying when people just write them off due to lack of spinal clearance when there are endurance riders who have used them for 10+ years with no issues. Critical thinking is required!

 

[tb gal]

I thought I would contribute my belated mite of info. Have had at least 10 saddles for my pony including ideal, wintec chunky monkey and solution . Fylde was only thing that fitted till it didn't. So I plucked up courage and borrowed a friends tcs.its very stable. I don't think my seats any more or less chair-ish in this but I'm actually straight. It doesn't move up or down steep slopes and pony has hone from tottering along and reluctant to canter to jolly bouncy pony of old. Physio checked it thus morning n so far so good. I'm having pony rechecked in 1 month which will have included several trec comps so will update this again in case it helps anyone.

 

[tb gal]

I thought I would add some pictures from the PTV phase of last weeks trec. I took my Fylde Ray and TCS with me. I did the orienterirng on my supposedly fits Fylde saddle, it moved to the right and I am pony felt sore afterwards. I used the TCS for the control of the paces and obstacle phase the following day. it didnt move once despite a massive shy and spin pre course due to helpful competitor charging out of control up are asses. A friend who also does trec commented that she had never seen pony look so relaxed, look at the neck stretch. Also its great low branches as no pommel or cantle so you can lean lower. just need to sort out stirrups as need webber types.