HM WH easi-sit- Can't get used to it! Advice?

[HairyCob]

I have also posted this on the EE forum, but would be interested in views from owners of these saddles here too!

I bought a HM easisit WH saddle last november and have mainly been hacking out at a walk with small amounts of trot in it since I got it due to restricted riding at my old yard. It is very comfy for both me and the horse on one level, but I feel like my legs are too far back and like I am 'perched' on it, rather than sat in it!

I have recently moved yards and now have use of a schooling arena, which I have used a couple of times.... and have fallen off both times!

It seems like the saddle is tipping me forward when doing anything other than walking, and still my legs feel too far back and ineffective.

Today I asked my boy for canter for the first time with this saddle, and felt totally unbalanced- couldn't sit it at all and ended up tipping off over his shoulder whilst I was trying to get my legs in a position where they were comfortable and effective! Thank god for the easi-sit foam and low pommel or I think I would have done myself a mischief!

I'm sure the saddle fits OK- I think it is having my legs so far back that is tipping me forward. It doesn't look like it is tipping forward when it is on him, and doesn't feel like it is tipping me forward at walk.

I am trying to sit back more- feel like I am leaning far to far back- in the hope that I will get used to this saddle, but I am beginning to give up hope!

Anyone got any advice or suggestions..... or a HM easi sit GP they want to swap for a WH?!!

Cheers!

[Yann]

Oh dear, sorry to hear you're having problems with it.

I looked at one when I was saddle shopping but discounted it for the reason you mention, it looked like you'd sit perched on it rather than in it, no problem for me perhaps, but definitely for its other potential users.

Your main problem seems to be with the stirrup bar placement though, and I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions from those better qualified to comment. Sounds like some sort of position / balance issue, and a bit dramatic if you keep falling off as a result:(

[galadriel]

Have you gotten any feedback from someone on the ground, who could tell you if indeed you've got your leg too far back?

I've read of a couple of people who had an experience similar to yours. They got a HM saddle which had the stirrups hanging where they ought to be, and kept trying to ride like they had before: fighting the saddle, trying to get legs to hang "straight," which actually did put the legs too far back.

Just a thought :) I have never even seen a HM saddle, myself...just read what people say about them.

[Yann]

Just a thought, what's your wither clearance like? My Saddle Co had to be adjusted as the flocking settled too much at the front. If this has happened to you, then it might not be helping, especially if HC has lost any weight?

[ros]

I assume you've got the detachable knee rolls? Try taking them off. That way you won't feel as though your knees are being pushed back, which does tip you forward. And as Yann says, it would be worthwhile getting the flocking checked now, as that can make quite a big difference too.

[eml]

I bought a HM thoroughgood second hand and had similar problems. Although I love the leg position (never really got on with any other GP saddle) I feel isolated from the horse and have problems wrapping my legs around. Admittedly this is on a skinny TB so may be better on a cob. I thought it was my stiffness so I tried it on several customers who found similar problems.

The tipping forwards may as Yann said be made worse if it is not sitting level (mine went on top of a Flair namnah so we adjusted the pommel height until it felt comfortable) But I would love to hear from someone as to how to get my legs on when they feel they are being pushed away from the horse.

I am keen to get to grips with this as the saddle overall is ideal for my position.

[Ginger Thing]

I had problems with my hips with mine (Easisit Dressage) due to the width of the saddle and my inability to open my hip joints. However I persevered with it and now find it amazingly comfy.It's the first saddle I've ever been able to absorb canter in - although it's a flat seat, not a traditional dressage seat, the foam holds me in place.

As to the leg position thing - mine were instantly transformed to perfect position! (I love this saddle!) I used to really struggle to keep my legs back, but now the're just there without having to think about it!

But I can see how you could overcompensate and bring your legs too far back - maybe try consciously sitting in a 'chair' seat (I know it's wrong!) and they'll actually be in the right place, sort of the reverse of trying to get your legs in the right place in a badly designed saddle, if you know what I mean!

I would say keep tring for a bit longer, it does take some getting used to, but bear in mind that some people simply don't get along with these saddles, and if it keeps making you fall off, you may be better off without it, whether your legs are in the right position or not - one either side of the horse would be preferable
:D

[HairyCob]

Hi Guys!!

Thanks for your replies... I have taken your advice and taken the knee rolls off and tried to force my legs into a chair seat....... sadly made no difference at all!

My friend who has a good classical seat in any saddle (bitch!!;) ;) :D ) tried riding him in it today, after I had got off in fear of my life, and she said 'lovely saddle but bl**dy awful on your horse' and also said she wouldn't feel comfortable trying to canter him in it or want to have to try to stay on if he messed about too much!

Grrrr..... how I wish I'd moved him before I got this saddle so I had the chance to try it out properly when I first got it.... hey ho, these things are sent to try us.... anyone got any suggestions for a good GP saddle for a wide, flat backed cob?!:D

[Hyper]

I've seen your pic on EE - but they (or it - the IT world) won't let me reply.

Your saddle does seem to be FAR too small for HC (who looks SOOOOOOOOOOOOO gorgeous btw).

As you know I'm no expert at all but imo we plebs need some sensible responses from ordinary folk in order that we can maintain our trust in the few we've already selected out as real experts.

I don't think, if my opinion is worth anything at all, that the saddle design is the problem at all (you know that Kerry and I have derived so much benefit from ours after all) - I think, just from the look of it, it's the fit.

What a shame, you should have both enjoyed the change to the new saddle SO much.

[Yann]

I've seen the picture too, not sure if it's that small but it does look to be sat quite far back. Be interested to know what conclusions you come to regarding the fit. I'm not familiar with the saddle design, but the comment was that the front and back should be level, which clearly isn't the case, and might be causing the tipping effect. It looks like it's sitting very high at the front, which is a symptom of it being too narrow, but even higher at the back. A too narrow saddle is usually uphill rather than downhill, and from what you've said HC is more than happy with it so it's hard to say what's happening, unless the flocking is all wrong for his shape.

If you can't get on with the Easisit then maybe one of the standard Saddle Co saddles like mine would be an option. They have the same adjustable tree and serge panels but are more conventional in appearance and to ride in. Very comfy for horse and rider. That said it ain't a perfect world and I've got a couple of niggles to address when the fitter calls next week:D

[HairyCob]

Thanks for your replies Yann and S, I have to agree that the saddle does look too small in that photo, but the bl**dy thing was only fitted to his wither template in November..... and I am absolutley 100% sure he hasn't gained any weight or muscle since then!

Heather has suggested getting a close contact panel put on it and having it re-fitted, so I am considering my options at the moment..... I have to confes to being reluctant to spend more money on the saddle- if I still can't get on with it, I will have lost LOTS of money!

Hyper- I take it from what you have said that you don't feel 'perched' on Kerry in you HM- I just feel like I am sat on a foam covered plank of wood when riding in this saddle at the moment!

It doesn't help that I rode HC out today in BaldyCob's GP, (which fits HC rather better than the easi-sit!) and not only was he very well behaved and responsive, but I felt like I was able to control him more with my legs, really felt secure in the saddle again (with HM seatsaver of course!) and enjoyed riding him- I even had a couple of good long canters!. With the HM easi-sit I feel like I have no leg control at all, as I am struggling just to keep them in a position where I am not tipping off, and as I have said, when I try to 'up the pace' I do tip off!!

Maybe I need to get the tree adjusted to fit and try it again then, without going to the expense of the close contact panel, before I make a decision. In the meantime I am in the lucky position of being able to borrow Baldy's saddle any time I like!

(and before anyone says it, I am not planning to ride HC in Baldy's saddle too often, as I am aware that it is not fitted to him!:D ;) )

[Yann]

Just wondering, did you have someone come out to check it or was it just sent away for a wither alteration? There seems to be a lot more to saddle fitting than just having the right width at the wither - the flocking can make a lot of difference to the fit and sit as well.
What were the reasons given for using a close contact panel? I've not heard that suggested as a cob thing before.

[HairyCob]

Yann, I have to confess it was just sent away with a wither template and checked by a 'normal' saddler when it came back.... time to get an EE fitter out I think!

Not sure about the reasons for a close contact panel, not even really sure what one is, but am going to phone Heather and discuss it with her tomorrow or wednesday! Not sure that I want to go down the route of spending more and more money on the saddle anyway- I think I'll try getting it fitted 'properly' and if that doesn't work, back to the drawing board!

[ros]

Yeah - I had a look at the EE pics and I have to agree with Heather - it's sitting way too high, and no wonder you don't feel secure! It does seem to have an inordinate amount of flocking (not sure why).

Nice deep flocking is great for skinny or underdeveloped types, but flat-backed cobs (like mine) tend to have their own flocking ;) Heather's suggesting a "close contact" panel for that reason. The panels on any saddle should never be flocked hard, but at the same time the top sides of the panels (right next to the gullet) should sit slightly lower than the spine on either side, otherwise the saddle is indeed perched on the back and will roll about.

If you like the position the saddle affords you I do think it's worth sticking with it, as there aren't many others that allow you to balance correctly.

By the way, I don't think it's too far back at all - it just looks odd because it's sitting so high.

[Monty]

Are you putting your feet too far back because your thighs and knees are further back than usual?? If so, it's down to to your body shape....no I don't mean body shape....what do I mean?? I mean down to the structure of you physically and what your skeleton is capable of achieving. Are you getting back ache when or after riding in the saddle.
Please don't everybody assume that because I had these problems with my HM easi-sit on Rebel, that I'm now ignoring the fact that I have a disability that might have contributed to those problems. It's true, it will have made it a lot more difficult for me. The problem I have, that specifically made using that saddle difficult is called a fixed hip flexion deformity. In order to become an orthopaedic nurse I had to know a lot about the normal skeleton, and not just the abnormal......and there are more people walking wound with fixed hip flexion deformity, than will ever know about it. And it won't mean trouble for most of those. (Unless they all want to ride in a HM Easi-sit...and who wouldn't??) Most people don't even know about it. But HC, please PM me if you want me to explain. Bit long winded to do it here. If you have, I'm afraid you're probably wasting your time with the Easi-sit. If you haven't....then keep trying all the suggestions that others have for it. But mine all ended in tears and I had to sell it..... PM me if you want to. I could just save you time and further expense.

[Stella2]

if you decide to go for a regular GP, I can recommend the Bates Caprilli. It is a CAIR system saddle with adjustable gullets and adjustable knee rolls (£695). I've had mine for 7 months. I find it very comfortable (and my horse Patrick seems to too) and my position is good in it.

[MelanieD]

Saw this on ebay and thought you might be interested, a saddle comapany extra wide GP saddle!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3666894687&category=3170

I've got the wide version and its great, I was thinking of bidding on this one but decided not to bother as I think it'll be too big for my little fatty even when she is living up to her nickname :). Only problem is the person selling it only checks her email once a week (it's been listed before and I emailed her then) so difficult to ask extra questions before bidding.

[Maria]

Hi

Saw the piccie on the EE website. As Heather and others have said - the saddle isn't sitting correctly on your horse. No wonder you are struggling and feel as though you are being tipped forward. I don't think your problems have anything to do with the stirrup bar position.

Hope you can get your saddle adjusted or follow up one of the other options so that you can find a saddle that fits you and your horse and that you enjoy riding in.

[HAYLEY GITTOES]

Originally posted by HairyCob
I have also posted this on the EE forum, but would be interested in views from owners of these saddles here too!

I bought a HM easisit WH saddle last november and have mainly been hacking out at a walk with small amounts of trot in it since I got it due to restricted riding at my old yard. It is very comfy for both me and the horse on one level, but I feel like my legs are too far back and like I am 'perched' on it, rather than sat in it!



Well i brought a HM seat saver about a month ago, obviously ridden in it about 10 times and i just carnt get on with it, i find it hard, and bulky.

One advantage with it, is that it makes me feel balanced, as before i always felt 'wonky' but with this seat saver i dont!!

Its probably just me, as im the only person i know who has problems with HM Sear saver!! :rolleyes:

[Stella2]

Hayley, I didn't get along with the seatsaver either!

[HAYLEY GITTOES]

Originally posted by Stella2
Hayley, I didn't get along with the seatsaver either!

Im glad im not the only one then, as ive heard so much about them, i thort it would be fantastic, do wonders for my position! I think im going to try and sell it.

[Stella2]

I sold mine!

[Yann]

Not everyone gets on with seatsavers, I know one or two who can't, I'm sure the same goes for the easisit. If the saddler who came to check it wasn't familiar with the model that's probably why they didn't see the cantle being higher than the pommel as a problem.

The gullet width of the Saddle Co saddle on Ebay is adjustable in the same way as the easisit is, so it's not a problem if it's currently too wide or narrow. It's the model with a leather top and synthetic underneath, they're around £450 to £470 new.

Don't think a Bates would be an option for HC as he's wider than the wintec XW gullet if I'm not mistaken:)

[HairyCob]

Yann... You are very much NOT mistaken, he is wider than a wide thing and certainly none of the synthetics come near him, not even the XXW! Bless!

Stella.... see above re the bates.... I'd love one but doubt it would go wide enough! Will bear it in mind when I get the saddler out again tho!

Stella & Hayley- It's a real shock to me to hear of people not getting on with the SBS.... I absolutley love mine and won't ride in a 'normal' saddle without it! Which is partly why I bought the Easi-sit, cause it's built in!:rolleyes:

Maria- I'm not convinced that it isn't to do with the stirrup bars, I have dodgy hips....! I'm going to PM Monty and see what she has to say!! I am determined to get him a saddle that is comfy for both of us (especially him!) even if it takes a while! Thanks for your good wishes!

Melanie- thankyou for that, it looks like a lovely saddle, I will have to think about that one very carefully!! Never 100% sure about buying expensive things from e-Bay!

Monty.... back ache? check! dodgy hips? check! I'll PM you! Thanks!

Ros.. thankyou for explaining the close contact thingy, I appreciate that, especially as my phone phobia got the better of me today and I couldn't phone Heather! I have to say, I don't particularly like the position it gives me, although I do recognise it as a 'good' position from a classical riding perspective!

Still thinking about what to do, but am erring on the side of giving up on this saddle, especially after a fantastic schooling session in Baldy's GP today. Haven't ever got HC to really work before, but boy did he give me his all and some today in the arena!:D :D And, I didn't have back ache, didn't come off, don't have back or hip ache now..... all of which I get from riding for ten minutes in the Easi-sit! (I do recognise that some of this may be due to the fact that it doesn't fit him properly!)

Anyway, thanks for all your suggestions so far folks, I'm off to PM the lovely Monty now, to see if my hips are blocking my progress with this saddle....:rolleyes:

[HairyCob]

My dilemma has been sorted in the shape of Monty's advice!

It seems I do in fact have a hip flexion deformity, and therefore this saddle will never suit me....... so it is sadly for sale. If anyone is interested, please PM me! It is an immaculate 17.5" havanna WH easi-sit with suede seat and knee rolls. Currently very wide, but can be altered to your horse's wither template.

Back to the saddlers for me I think!:rolleyes: