Seatbone savers...do they work?

[NVA]

Hi all
Haven't posted in this section of the board for a while, but where better than NR to go with a problem. Quick question; I am (fairly) happy with my riding, position etc (on a good day) in walk, rising trot and canter, but my sitting trot is embarrassing. I have had lesson after lesson and just can't get it on any but the smoothest horse, and tense up completely as soon as I take my stirrups away. I've read all the theory, but can't seem to put it into practice.
So, in desperation, I've just ordered a Heather Moffatt seatbone saver. I should probably have put this post up before ordering it (a bit too impulsive), but does any one else use one, and do they help? Failing that, does anyone have any miracle tips for sitting trot. My instructor says it's not as bad as I think, and I've almost got it, but I feel as though I am bouncing 3 metres above the horse with every stride. I've having a lunge lesson next week but am running out of ideas.

Any advice/comments gratefully received
N

[KarinUS]

I was looking into getting one not too long ago and posted a thread about them. Some of the replies may be helpful to you as well. My thread is here:
http://77.72.200.82/forum/showthread.php?t=109461

I have no idea if they work. After emailing Heather I found out that they were not a good match for my saddle (very deep dressage saddle) so I ended up not buying one.

Good Luck!

[martini55]

I haven't used one but was going to order one (haven't yet because there's no point as I can't ride at the mo) and there are many people on this site that swear by them :) I don't have any advice to offer regarding the sitting trot other than try and relax as the more you worry about it, the more you will tense up and the more you will bounce around. Perhaps getting Heather Moffatt's book might help as I am sure there's quite a bit on sitting trot in there.

[Kadi]

I have one!

Don't use it that often, tend to dig it out when my lower back is playing up or if I'm going on a really long hack.

Did find that on my saddle it tipped me slightly forward so didn't do my position any favours, because of this I wouldn't use it for a lesson, but for hacking it's great.

xxx

Ps also give you a bit more stickability being suede.

[Virago]

Have you seen yourself on video? It may not be as bad as you think. I felt similar to you about sitting trot, until I saw myself on vid. It didn't look anywhere near as bouncy as it felt. I actually looked quite secure, which is what my RI had been saying to me.

Consequently, having seen that I was doing sitting trot OK, I felt more confident and relaxed about doing it, and so got even more secure! The same thing happened with canter. I had a mental block about allowing the horse to canter (long story... bad fall years ago... etc etc) However, once I had seen myself in canter on a lunge, when I looked incredibly secure and relaxed, this has given me the confidence boost to work on my canter!

Oh, one more thing, try not to do too much sitting trot without stippurs at one go. My RI worked me up from just three or four strides at a time. As you build up the amount of time you trot, you get used to it without giving yourself time to feel insecure.

[carrimclaren]

I love my seat saver. Well worth the money. I think i paid £35 for mine but it is by heather moffatt, just the less expensive ones which were £45-50 i think.

I ride someone elses horse sometimes and used to hunt it a little towards the end of last season and they have a really uncomfortable saddle which fits the horse but doesn't agree with my bum :D So i worked out that spending 3/4 hours riding and jumping in a hard saddle was not going to improve my day so i got a seatsaver and felt much more secure and happier.

[Yann]

I swear by mine too, it does make you more secure and hacking for hours on end is a breeze :)

[coverblown]

I was thinking of gettin one as I am recovering from a back injury but have had more people advise against them than for...

reasons - make you perched, alter position for the worse, make (already quite small) saddle even smaller...

I think at the price then HM enterprises should give you a trial, or offer a money back guarantee; after all they make some spectacular claims for the product.

[KarinUS]

reasons - make you perched, alter position for the worse, make (already quite small) saddle even smaller...


I think it really depends on the saddle. Heather is the one answering their customer service email and she is pretty honest about what saddle might not be a good match.
I agree on the trial thing though. A trial would be great. Do they have a no-returns policy? Perhaps you can send it back if it doesn't work?

[puzzles]

i thinkt eh heather moffet one if supposed to be very good - it's comfy!

[horsey1]

I have a HM one its fantastic:D what a difference it makes :D

[old_woman]

I was thinking of gettin one as I am recovering from a back injury but have had more people advise against them than for...

reasons - make you perched, alter position for the worse, make (already quite small) saddle even smaller...

I think at the price then HM enterprises should give you a trial, or offer a money back guarantee; after all they make some spectacular claims for the product.

I can't imagine why ANYONE would advise against it unless it doesn't suit the style of saddle in which they ride. They are WONDERFUL, far far better than any sheepskin or other type of "padding". I simply do not believe that the HM seatbone saver would make you "perched" if the saddle was a good fit for the rider to start with or that they would alter your position for the worse! Neither do I believe they will make the saddle too small unless it was aalready lmost too small without it; it seems to make only a very slight difference to the size.

I believe that because they aid rider comfort, that they offer the opportunity for IMPROVING your position. I would not ride without mine and would certainly be "perched" - on tip-toes, avoiding bum contact with the seat - if I did not have one! You can ask them if it would be suitable for your saddle and they will tell you honestly.

[NVA]

Thanks for the replies, and a quick update. It arrived, I tried it yesterday and already wouldn't be parted from it for the world! It definitely didn't make me perch (which is my usual problem), and really let me sink into the saddle to deepen my seat. I'm sure they're not for everyone, but for me it is wonderful. I have a very curved spine ("duck bum", as my instructor calls it:)), and on a normal saddle find it very difficult to keep the seatbones tucked under in sitting trot as I slide quickly back to pushing the hips back. The SS really held me in position and my instructor said there was no change in my body position between the walk, trot and canter. Still a long way from perfect, but a good start. Virago, I am also going to take a video camera along next week; that's a really good idea.

Happy riding

N

[Libbyo]

I love mine. I feel very secure in it, as well as extremly comfy. Every one who borrows it loves it too.

[Rarah]

I've had mine a couple of months and bought it mainly for an impending sitting trot/lunge lesson.

I found mine a little strange for rising trot at first but soon got used to it. If nothing else, it improves stickability - I feel very secure! Sitting trot/ canter and jumping are a dream!

I must add though that my instructor does not like it and has requested I remove it for my lessons (I don't always listen though ;) ). She says it prevents me from sitting deep enough into the saddle.

If anyone is thinking of buying one Equestrian Clearance had a good deal on them recently.

[colettybetty]

The HM seatsaver is wonderful. I've had one for about 4 years and its so comfortable,especially if you're going to be in the saddle all day.I used to have a mare whose sway back made it difficult to sit in a good position, despite a custom made saddle, the seatsaver did seem to help especially as, like you,I have a slightly curved spine with a twist, that I never knew I had til a specialist pointed it out to me. Its one of my favourite pieces of tack... til I lent it to OH yesterday and now he's claimed his need as a novice male with 'bits' is greater than mine.