saddles on riding school ponies

[coverblown]

I wonder if anyone else has this problem.

I am quite short and ride ponies at my riding school. I have no problem with that, I love the ponies and they are my size.

I am quite heavy (9stone 12) to ride ponies but I am only 5'2". Hopefully not too heavy....

However I am just returning to riding after breaking my back (sorry if you already know that, I have bored for Scotland on the subject...) and am finding the RS pony saddles just too too small and hard for me and my big fat adult butt.... which I think is contributing to a bit of pain.

So I don't really know what to do. They won't swap saddles around. Is it stupid of me to think about buying a saddle to fit both me and my fave RS pony. What if they won't even put it on him?

Bit stuck... looking forward to your advice

Anne

[vimto92]

Hrm, thats a difficult one.

I can see them not swapping them around though, a saddle needs to fit if it doesn't it can cause a number of problems, and most of the time the horse will let you know!

Buying a saddle and having it fitted may set you back a few hundred quid!:eek: And I don't mean to sound rude but the saddles they have got on your fave ponies probably fit well; a longer saddle wouldn't be a solution for you both, because although it may fit you it won't fit the pony.

I really don't know what to suggest

[eml]

That is an eternal problem for schools, and also the other way, riders swimming in saddles on larger horses.

I am afraid we go fo the best fit for horse but on those ponies who adults ride (one particularly sharp 13hh NF in particular) go for older fashioned flatter saddles which grownups can fit into , sadly however they are also harder.

What about getting a gel seat saver, they can often just make the difference. Particularly as after a back imjury you ahould avoid 'shocks' to the spine they will provide some cushioning. Just a cautionary note however they do not suit everyone so perhaps try before buying, I had to rehome the one I bought for myself but then I am very funny about saddles!!!

[MrDCBags]

Eml do seat savers fit all saddles? I would love one but have wintec synthetic which doesn't seem to fit seat savers or am not I looking at right ones?

Sorry to hijack thread pepsimaxrocks- I know what you mean about saddles and comfort. i find most of the RS saddles uncomfortable because I am so used to and in love with my good all wintec that everything else feels wrong.
What about treeless or is this not an option due to your injury?

[eml]

A couple of my clients bring them and generally they fit. Most of my day to day horses and ponies are in Thorowgoods anyway so soft enough for clients to be happy, I only have leather saddles on the harder to fit ones (vast collection aquired over years!) and some of the older fashioned ones are admittedly hard ...and thats from someone who still prefers personally to use a 28yo saddle on anything it fits!!!

I don't know about pepsimax but my one try in a treeless left me very uncomfortable as it just was so wide in the twist, mind you I struggle with wide horses as well.

[Floob]

eml- hard saddles are ok if you just have to ride on them for an hour or so. We used to have an extremely hard saddle on Luna, you started to feel it after about 30mins, and then knowing you have 1 1/2hrs or more left is not very nice. We also used to have this saddle that was like sitting on a pile of bricks. But for me I just get a sore bum, if your back alsohurts more because of them then a seat saver might be a good option.

But yes I have had that problem. I used to ride 2 of the welsh As (the naughty ones) and I really did not fit into the saddle. I am generally ok on saddles above 16"

[Wally]

You could always invest in A Heather Moffett seat saver, they are very back friendly

[Jiouxles]

I am also 5'2" and weigh around 9 stone most of the time. I have a pseudo HM seat saver because it was CHEAPER (£19.99) and I have no problems with it. I bought it because I have a bad back and used to have to move it around on different saddles at the RS, most of which are too big for me at 18". I have used it nearly everyday for the last 2 years and it still pings back to shape. It is suede so is nice and non-slip (especially with my sticky bum jodhs). Last Friday I had to get on a horse during a lesson to demonstrate changing legs while cantering (girl riding cannot apply aids properly and blames horse for 'being naughty'). It took 5 minutes but the saddle was like sitting on cast iron - I had forgotten how uncomfortable saddles can be without SS!

[amandal]

I've got a HM seatsaver, on a Wintec Synthetic, it's really good. I'm quite amazed at how comfortable it is and how much more easy it is to sit to my mare's trot now, and my leg position's improved too, definitely recommend them. My saddler loves them too, she congratulated me on buying one when she saw it at the last fitting.

[coverblown]

[QUOTE=Jiouxles;1286774] I have a pseudo HM seat saver because it was CHEAPER (£19.99) and I have no problems with it. I bought it because I have a bad back....QUOTE]

- that sounds like a good idea, where did you get it? Online? Could you pm me?


Thanks for all your advice, and the SBS sounds as though it makes a much more comfy saddle. The gel pad an interesting idea too.. I am however unsure about buying a SBS - do they fit on top of the saddle? They sound great for hard saddles, which is a (more minor) problem for me, but the main problem I have is that the saddles on the ponies are too SMALL. I feel as though my back is really vulnerable and that I wouldn't feel like this in the big leather saddles they put on the larger horses. Would a SBS just make the saddle smaller?

Sorry to whinge, and looking forward I hope to more lovely great advice

Anne x

[eml]

I think it would make an already small saddle feel worse. I tried one...also heard they were great for backs, but it made me feel less in touch with the horse...does not mean it wouldn't work for you, I am a dinosaur who still can't adapt to the level of padding between me and horse in some modern saddles!!

I still can make the kids :eek: when I show then my old pony jumping saddle, hard flat 'plate' with thin leather flaps, no panel under legs, no knee or thigh rolls, and yes I would still prefer it for jumping!

[Wally]

Good grief, I used to endurance ride in one of those half panel, square cantle jobs.

Nothing but a sweat flap and a saddle flat between you and the horse!

Never had a penalty point for a sore back though!

[Laura+Phantom]

I am quite heavy (9stone 12) to ride ponies but I am only 5'2". Hopefully not too heavy...

That's not heavy! :eek: If it is I have problems as one of mine is 13.1hh :p

Lol that aside, I would suggest a HM seatbone saver but I am 5'2 and 10 stone 2lbs (and rapidly declining thank you weight watchers) and I ride Saphy in a 16" saddle and feel fine...

[poohsmate]

Hi,is there any reason why you ride ponies and not something slightly bigger, which will have a larger saddle. also most horses would have a longer stride which would be more comfy for your back than a short striding pony..:D

[coverblown]

Hi,is there any reason why you ride ponies and not something slightly bigger

Yep, there is a reason.

Most of my rides have to be on a Sunday morning - busiest time at my RS.. I am short, and bigger horses go to bigger people. Not great, but thats the way it is .... Can't think of a RS around here that wouldn't do the same.

But when I ride Fridays privately I can have a reasonable pick - just feel that I shouldn't - for all sorts of reasons some down to me, some down to the YO (mainly availability for the competitions, small people using big horses etc..)

If only they charged me the same prices as pony riding children ......

[Skib]

I sympathise - I am a RS rider and it does happen occasionally. But usually if I am away from home. I hacked for 2 hours last week on a western saddle that was too small. I have a plump behind and don't need a seat saver. But if a saddle is too small from front to back, one cant sit back easily and securely.At the same time one gets pushed forward onto the cantle and gets sore in front.

But at the yards where I ride regularly the saddles on all the horses are fine. Because the YOs know which horses I can ride and which I cant. If a new horse comes, I don't refuse to try it (and its saddle). But if it hurts my back to ride it, I don't ride it again.

I am elderly and expect schools where we pay to ride to find horses (and tack) suitable for clients with physical limitations. This to me sounds like a riding school problem and not a saddle problem at all.

If you or anyone else has a problem with anything (saddles or anything) at your regular riding school, you should discuss it with the YO. Usually a medical problem, like having broken your back, should be enough to persuade them to find you a suitable horse and saddle?
I can understand them not wanting to change saddles round, each horse has its saddle. But they should move you onto another horse.

Have you tried to discuss it with the YO. I mean the person at the top rather than one of the staff? It seems to me that you are trying to feel your way round a problem that a good, responsible riding school should handle on behalf of a client. Don't be self effacing, or tactful, or obliging to the school.

This is a physical medical problem and must be solved as such. You could even soften your request by asking for their help in finding a temporary solution just until your back is fully healed.
Your continuing to ride depends on them finding you the right horse and saddle combination to make it possible - not just this week or next, but so that you can enjoy riding in the long term.

I personally don't use a seat saver. I already take in my own safety stirrups and leathers. And I don't need a seat saver if the saddle fits.
In your place I would arrange to ride on a saddle that is OK for your back, and then, if there are problems with a saddle that is the right size, you could buy a seat saver. I agree that they might make a small saddle smaller. They are intended to cushion the base of your spine, but are not intended to help you ride in a saddle that was the wrong size to start with.

[coverblown]

Wise words and many thanks Skib, as always.

And (I know I have said this before) but I do admire your championing of the RS rider, and the well organised properly run school with instructors who behave properly and professionally.

I will ask for a solution. And there are small-ish horses that I can ride. B, is 14.3 and has a lovely substantial leather saddle. I have ridden him before (for jumping) and although a little unpredictable he has a comfortable gait. Pepsi, who I am currently riding, has a flattish saddle not the most comfy, but P also has a comfortable gait. M, bigger mare than I am used to, at around 15.3 and a solid cob, also has a substantial saddle - no reason why I shouldn't ride her.... and that takes me on to the other 15 handers (about another 2, some horrid saddles - poor horses! - and some good ones. Then there is B, from whom I was unceremoniously dumped and ended up with the broken back - his saddles (yes, he has two!) are just the best.

Max - another favourite pony - is one I cannot ride due to the saddles issue. But I don't NEED to ride Max, I can manage.

Thanks everyone for all your help.

Anne

[Alfies-slave]

Ditto the seat saver advice. Also, you could try some of theose bouncing stirrup irons, the onse swith chain links enclosed in rubber, the Sprenger ones are expensive, but the copies are about 25 quid and just as good. They take the stress out of your knees and help bad backs! I know, I busted up my back years sinces and they have done wonders for the pain!

[coverblown]

Now, I am a wee bit reluctant to spend 50 pounds (near enough) on a seat saver of questionable benefit. Asked about it at the yard, they concurred with your view, eml, that it would probably make the saddle even smaller...

And both RI's I spoke to were quite sceptical about the benefit a SBS may bring. Thought it would make me feel perched. I hate this feeling. And if, like me, you have no length of leg, then you don't need to lose it at the top of the saddle.

So back to the drawing board. Skib's solution seems to be the best - talk to the YO and get the opportunity to ride the horses with the comfy substantial saddles...

[eml]

Talk to your RI but not just about horses with saddles you can sit in but about good horses for you to ride and available saddles. Most RS will have a 'bank' of saddles to allow for horses changing condition or unexpected new arrivals. Some will have dressage and jumping saddles for many horses.

To be honest in your position as an RI I would be really doing my best to accomodate you on a suitable horse in a comfortable saddle...not just giving you a pony because you are smallish and they need the bigger ones. Your needs are just as important as those of height and weight

As a fellow ( albeit 40 years ago) spinal injury sufferer I am well aware how vital the correct horse and correct saddle are to your comfort and wellbeing. Your RI needs to understand this.

[coverblown]

Thanks E, and I will. YO passes everything with RS clients on to head girl who has been on holiday for 2 weeks (since I started again) and to whom I have not managed to talk. I will be able to speak to her next week

There are plenty saddles around, mostly "allocated" to horses but certainly some are interchangeable, and have been swapped in my experience. I know that Pepsi, who I ride, has worn B's dressage saddle several times with no problem. New RI is unaware of this and refused to do it (probably because head girl was away).

But even though I am small, there is no way that I am too small to ride a 15.2 horse (after all thats what I was thrown from!!!).

Thanks tons as ever.

A. x