Saving Canadian Seats?

[Debutante]

Hi Heather,

I have recently been through an episode of lower back (sciatic) pain and am considering buying one of your highly recommended Seat Savers.

First of all, do you know of any way it would be possible to have one shipped to Toronto from the UK? I have searched to find one here, to no avail. My only other option here seems to be a contraption called the "Tush Cushion" made by Cashel? Have you heard of this?

Any information would be very much appreciated. :)

Cheers,
Debutante

[mikka]

Hi Debutante,

When I ordered my EE book and video from Feedmark in Florida, they did tell me that they also carried Heather's seat saver (wishing now that I'd ordered one). They were very accommodating and the parcel shipped within 10 days. I've just been back to their site but can't see any of Heather's products listed - maybe the distributorship has changed? You could try phoning them at 352 620 0805.

Cheers,

Mikka

[Mike]

You certainly can order a seatsaver from this site. See the shop page at

http://www.newrider.com/shop/erol.html#205x0

[Heather]

Thanks Mikka and Mike, and no, haven't heard of the 'Tush cushion' - sounds intriguing! Where do we see it?

Heather

[Debutante]

Hello Mikka, Mike and Heather,

Thanks for your responses to my Seat Saver question.

Heather, these "Tush Cushions" are made by Cashel, which I believe is an American company. They too are almost impossible to find in Canada. You can have a look by doing a web search using the words: cashel tush cushion. This will take you into the Cashel site which has descriptions and photos of these contraptions. Even though I’ve never seen one ‘in person’ my objection is that they look smooth and slippery, unlike your Seat Saver. The only advantage is that they retail for about $60. Canadian (24. GBP).
After Christmas (if I have any money left) :rolleyes: I think I’ll attempt to order a Seat Saver through the NR site as Mike suggested.

While we’re on the topic of contraptions, have a look at the website www.equinesimulators.com. I saw these Equine Simulators in action at the Royal Winter Fair and they’re quite amusing – mane and all. They’re billing them as "the horse that requires no mucking-out, vet or farrier". :D :D :D

Cheers,
Debutante

[galadriel]

The tush cushion looks, to me, like it has a smooth grippy surface--I have an old seat-saver with a surface like that, and it's nice :) My main reason for having it, though, is that I adore my saddle and it has an itty bitty tiny crack across the seat which I don't want exposed to the big, bad world so it might get worse ;) (It was there when I bought the saddle used over 8 yrs ago and hasn't gotten worse in that time...)

[Dressage_Luvr]

ooh ooh! we rode that thing! my friends dared me to! so i did, and she rode the other! i rode the cantering one, in the western saddle.

it was pretty cool, cept that i accidentally squeezed it too much, then tried to slow down, then it stopped, and the lady seemed mad! lol

[mikka]

Quick update, Debutante. I've just ordered the seat saver through Feedmark and they said it'll arive in 7 working days.

[Heather]

HI Debutante,


Looks like these are the ones made by Bill Greenwood of Racewood here in the UK. I helped him with them initially to get the movement right, as they originally had no side to side movement- only up and down and it was like sitting on a trotting pogo stick!!

Heather

[kelsey]

If you want a cashel tush cushion, you can order one from Apple Saddlery. I believe they are just outside Ottawa. (Very good mail order service.)

I was going to order one to protect my butt from the cold saddle in the winter but I have been forbidden to do so by my trainer, who is a traditionalist and decries the use of any tack beyond bridle and saddle with a very thin pad.

[mikka]

Debutante, I contacted the people at equisimulators.com for prices. They're both (one trot, the other canter/gallop) $25.5K CDN. I might actually have considered buying one that did all three gaits had it been a bit cheaper. Not sure, though, how effective it'd be as an on-going training tool as it, of course, could never provide the unexpected things - and advanced movements - that real horses offer! Wonder if I could lease it out to a school?? Uh-oh, always turning everything into a business!

[Debutante]

Happy New Year Everyone! I’ve been away from my email and Internet for almost 2 weeks and missed you all.

Yikes Mikka! I could buy one *heck* of a beautiful Canadian for 25.5K!!! :D It’d be fun to try one of the equisimulators (but not in a public place like the RWF – I’m much too shy for that.) You're right that they can't help prepare you for the unexpected (which seems to be about 80% of riding). The other day my horse went berserk over somebody brooming -- even though she'd probably seen it a zillion times. :rolleyes: No harm done.
Not sure about buying a seat saver yet -- my back's been fine (knock on wood) lately and I've been riding a lot. Need to be frugal for the onslaught of post-Christmas bills. :p

Cheers,
Debutante