Seat Bone Savers

[Miriam]

One of the girls on my yard went to Burliegh the other week and bought herself a Seat Bone Saver. I just had to have a look at it as she says it is the most comfortablist thing to ride in. They look and feel absolutely beautiful. Once I get Rhi's saddle sorted out I think I will have to invest in one. She gave it a 10/10

[Cathy Reynolds]

Miriam They are BRILLIANT. The difference if I now ride without........

[Jo]

I ride every day and had begun to experience quite severe seatbone pains. I bought a seatbone saver and haven't looked back.

I find it helps to relax my back and ehlps me to absorb movement better.

[katie_did]

I believe that is you ride with a correct seat, you will not experience the pain, and thus has no use for a seat saver. The seat saver may be alleviating some of the discomfort, but it will not improve your position.

[Heather]

HI Katie,

Wrong! The Seatbone Saver can and does improve your position as well as greatly aiding your comfort! I invented the pad for my own use- not for commercial gain, not because I was sitting really badly, but because I was then in training with Capt. Desi Lorent, ex student of Nuno Oliveira's, and I was being made to sit in the correct truly Classical seat for the first time in my life.

So, 15 years ago, I ended up with bursal enlargements of the seatbones when trying to sit in the correct classical position, so painful that even sitting in an armchair was uncomfortable- and therefore designed the product which I called 'the Seatbone Saver', made from a special foam developed by NASA which moulds to your shape and doesn't spring back, and covered in suede. I hadn't been able to ride for six months prior to inventing it, and as a professional this was a disaster. Every time I rode, these painful enlargements and bruising reappeared. As soon as I invented the SS, I had no more problems. Other riders seeing it, wanted them and so it became a commercial product, but it came about through a case of 'needs must' not through commercial greed.

Because the Seatbone Saver permits you to sit closer to the pommel in the true centre of the saddle, it improves your ability to maintain the ear/shoulder/hip/heel line. Saddles are still being made in the hunting seat balalance- ie the chair seat, because saddlers in te UK at least, never go near a horse. They know nothing about riding and are merelyn there to stitch bits of leather together.

The stirrup bars are much to far forward, and the padded part of the saddle too far back. This pushes the rider's butt to the rear of the saddle, and pulls the thigh and lower leg forward- so instructors then scream at the student to 'get that lower leg back'- not thinking for one minute that it might just be the design of the saddle that is causing so many of their pupils to appear so inept!

The fact that the saddle has seams which attach the skirts to the seat, and which narrow down just where the rider should actually be sitting, is also one of the biggest problems, and which is solved immediately by fitting a Seatbone Saver.

Without it, if the rider sits as I did, if in the correct central balance which Desi Lorent was totally insistent on, directly on my seatbones, with them resting to either side of the seams on the hard slope of the tree, your seatbones will be sore and bruised. I was riding probably four hours a day like this and believe me- it hurt! At the Spanish Riding School, Col. Podhasky the great master, admitted that he used to come in from lessons with 'blood seeping through his breeches' - I am not a believer in suffering for Art!

So, the next step was to design a saddle that permitted a truly central balance, with the seatbone saver top built right into it, no seams in the seat, and the stirrup bars much further back so that the leather hangs perpendicularly under the rider's leg, and not having to be held back at a 45 degree angle.

Riders just cannot believe how comfortable the saddles and how easy it is to attain the ear/shoulder/hip/heel line. Other trainers sometimes condescendingly say to me- but a good rider should be able to compensate for any saddle' -Compensate? If you have to compensate for somthing, then there is a fault in the design.

The Metropolitan Mounted Police are buying the Thorowgood synthetic version to teach their recruits. I am now a consultant trainer to the Met and they have been astonished at the difference in the way their recruits sat and rode in my saddles. The chief instructor there said 'we realise now that we are spending at least the first ten weeks of the sixteen week recruit course, teaching them how to fight the balance of our current saddles. We have found that with yours we can get on with teaching them to ride from day one, instead of compensating for the very tool that is supposed to be assisting them'. Other mounted police branches have bought the Seatbone Saver for all of their saddles as they have found that it as well as comfort with spending long hours in the saddle, it also assists balance and security, something which is very important if controlling an unruly crowd of football hooligans for instance!

I have many testimonials from riders all over the world who have bought the pad and found it helps their position. So, hope you are a little more convinced!


Heather

[Miriam]

Sorry I have not replied earlier but computer has been down.

The one thing this girl on our yard comented on was the fact that she rode alot better and does not know how she ever managed without one. She said the difference in her position was unbelievable.

[katie_did]

If the only way to acheive a proper seat is with the seatbone saver, how come none of the equitation medal winners or grand prix dressage riders use them?

[Sarah]

hi Katie,

Heather doesn't say that the only way to achieve a proper seat is with a seatbone saver. In her first paragraph she says that it was designed to improve rider comfort and that she was already sitting correctly.

In paragraphs 6 and 8 of her reply she comments that you can sit correctly in a poorly designed saddle, but that she felt this was silly, why not design the saddle to help you sit correctly. As most of us can't afford to replace our saddles, the seatbone saver is a very valuable compromise - it is cheap and it greatly helps your comfort as well as helping your position if you are finding it hard to sit correctly in a badly designed saddle.

So ther you go, i hope Heather won't mind me trying to answer this one for her!

bye!

[Heather]

Thank you Sarah.


HI Katie,

The reason that GP dressage riders don't use them is that the Seatbone Saver is detachable and therefore not permitted for use in competition- the only discipline in which it is not. I think this is left over from the days of fluffy sheepskin seat savers which would not look right in a high level competition.

However, the chairman of the rule making committee of British Dressage, our national governing body of the sport rides on one and loves it, and rues the fact that those sort of rules are made by the FEI and not her committee.

I have several British GP dressage riders who have my saddles with the Seatbone Saver built in and we are currently making one for one of our Olympic dressage riders, who has ridden on several of mine belonging to his students and whose horses he competes at high level on their behalf.


Heather

[Jo]

Hi

Because I ride a variety of horses and ponies, I have to "adjust" to a variety of saddles. Some are comfortable and allow the rider to sit correctly without fighting against the stirrup position. Others are so badly designed that it is an achievement to sit in the correct position at all, let alone ride in balance for any length of time. The seat bone saver compensates a lot. It places you in the correct part of the saddle, no matter what the saddle design. I too have been badly bruised from hours of riding in the correct position. I have been in agony as soon as I sit down - the SS allowed me to ride when it seemed inevitable that I would have to stop for a while. I wouldn't be without it! (Maybe I couldn't be without it!)

[Bebe]

Dear Heather (apologies for butting in on someone elses thread!)

I have a thorowgood general purpose saddle which I am very happy with. However, my lower leg hangs just a tad too far forwards (about 2" in front of the shoulder-hip-heel alignment) and no matter what I do, I cannot get them farther back. I am making an effort to sit closer to the pommel than I am used to, which seems to be easily achievable in this saddle.

Would you recommend a seatbone saver for this problem? My instructor is happy with my position (she's an excellent classically minded teacher) as we have spent endless lessons working on it and it has improved tenfold. However, there is this one niggly fault that I would like to resolve.

Many thanks
Amanda
PS, I did wonder if part of the problem is that I am riding in dressage length stirrups and position in a GP saddle, could it be? I cannot afford to have two saddles and as I hack a lot I prefer the GP.

[KathyT]

how do you fit the Seatbone Saver? If I got one I would be using it on horses at the riding stables and taking it home with me afterwards. Would this be a problem?

[KathyT]

Also just noticed they come in two sizes? I normaly ride the ponies between 14hh and 15hh, although I occasionaly ride either of the two 16hh horses at the stables. Which would be better?

[Kathy C]

I imagine that the reason some people don't seem to suffer bruising or discomfort is due to differences in their anatomy, it stands to reason that there will be individual variation as with any other part of the body. I often used to get the most terrible bruising and found even walking was painful, so Heather's seatbone saver was a godsend. It made a big difference to my sitting trot because I was no longer tensing up in anticipation of the pain I was going to suffer. Kathy T, I use mine for riding school horses, it is quick and easy to put on and take off. I think there is a picture somewhere on this site.

Kathy C

[Tina J]

I swear by my seat bone saver. I travel a lot and try to ride wherever I go - and my seat bone saver always goes with me! I have even managed to put it onto a western saddle. My own horse is a rather fiesty ex-racehorse and quite frankly without the security that the sbs gives me I doubt if I could cope with him. Can't answer your question about which size to get Kathy T, but I would assume that if you are usually using 16" or larger saddles, then the larger size would be best. But it is most definitely easy to move from saddle to saddle and to cart around with you. The only person who has ever sat on my sbs who has not been impressed is a young kid who tips permanently forward on the front of her thighs. She doesn't see the point of riding in a more classical position because she wants to jump and event (non-riding mother who thinks her daughter has natural talent and is above most lessons - aaargh!) For anyone who aspires to a secure, classical seat, I really do recommend the sbs. Lets face it, we all want to be kinder to our horses, and if you are secure and comfortable in your seat then you are going to ride better, without the dreadful hanging onto the horses mouth that we see so often. As to "adjusting" to different saddles without the sbs., yes, I can do it, but it is a dreadful distraction, and I end up constantly making small wriggles and adjustments to my position, when all I want to do is think about how the horse is going and concentrate on riding to the horse, not riding to its saddle!

[KathyT]

Thanks Kathy C and Tina J I will order one now!! I bought Heather's book last week and could not believe the difference it made in just one lesson. I rode a pony called Smallie who can be a bit headstrong, it normaly takes 10 mins into a lesson for her to start listening to you (she lets you know this by very conveniently "grunting") however she started grunting during the warmup (5 minutes) after I tried to move in the way Heather describes and also did a few circles at walk (which were actually round instead of egg shaped!!). I did not manage to keep the movements up for very long and hope that the seatbone saver will help. You could almost hear the pony breath a sigh of relief when you got it right!! and then groan when you lost it!! Thank for your help.

[Cathy Reynolds]

Had to come back into this thread to explain it isn't just a 'comfort' thing for me, but that I actually sit so much better, with the correct leg alignment - and Heather is right about the dreadful shape of most of the saddles we ride on in the UK. In addition I find my seat is so much more stable when I am trotting and cantering without stirrups. My garnd-daughter is trying hard to put her legs back intot he correct alignment, so I must let her try my SS out too - but not when I'm riding with her she won't, until I can afford a 2nd one.

[Heather]

Seatbone Savers come in two sizes - kids- up to 16.5" saddles, and adult over 16.5". They also come in English and Western styles.

Bebe, it is very rare that they don't help your position, and the fact that you are more secure by dint of the suede and sinking into the foam, stops you wriggling or slipping which can destabilise your seat and leg position.

Hope this helps!


Heather

[Noblesteed]

Hi Heather and everyone,
I've just sent for one of your SBSs after reading your info on Enlightened Equitation. I'm buying it to help me and my handsome 15.1 cob gelding Ben. He is my first horse and I'm a mature rider of 2 years. He is ex-riding school and I am having real problems getting him to respond and go forward. He will do it for my 10 year old daughter and my trainer, but not me sadly. When I ride I feel I am not sitting on him correctly and I know I'm interfering too much. I slip back and forth in my saddle and end up slumped like a sack of potatoes. I really want to be able to work with him so he can move easily. Any suggestions on how to help Ben, and hints for using the SBS to it's best advantage.
Many thanks, Cathy.

[Gwenllian]

I think you will find that the SBS works fantastically! It has given me huge confidence.When Rosie decides she's going to mess around, adn perhaps take me home, or'be scared' of something for fun, and give me a sharpish ride, my relatively pathetic attempts at balancing are immediately assisted by the non-slip suede plus sticky bum jodpurs. The squishy seat is kind to my hip replacement.It has also helped me enormously in my learning to dismount differently.I met the SBS at the RDA. I was having dreadful problems dismounting conventionally.My right knee was getting stuck on the cantle of the saddle.Liz was getting somewhat concerned that this might happen when I was dismounting at home alone.Had my horse taken fright and bolted I would have been in deep trouble.So, I tried dismounting with right leg over the front.But the saddle was so slippery that I was parting company with the saddle before I had my legs organised.It was then that Liz introduced me to the SBS.And wow, what a difference.I could then sit sideways,until I had the landing gear out so to speak!
RDA use oodles of SBSs, every day.I have now found that the dismounting benefit, is probably the least of the benefits, and will not ride with out it.When I went to stay with Silvia in Austria, I had so much riding parafinalia, I couldn't BEAR the idea of customs unpicking the seams of my SBS, so I left it at home.Boy, did I know it.The first day I dismounted from Landardt (Silvia's friend's horse) I left that saddle with such speed that my knees buckled, because I wasn't ready for landing! So be warned; either take your SBS everywhere with you, or be prepared for a mega fast exit!! Heather has a lot to answer for,though she may not know it!!!!!

[Gwenllian]

I think you will find that the SBS works fantastically! It has given me huge confidence.When Rosie decides she's going to mess around, adn perhaps take me home, or'be scared' of something for fun, and give me a sharpish ride, my relatively pathetic attempts at balancing are immediately assisted by the non-slip suede plus sticky bum jodpurs. The squishy seat is kind to my hip replacement.It has also helped me enormously in my learning to dismount differently.I met the SBS at the RDA. I was having dreadful problems dismounting conventionally.My right knee was getting stuck on the cantle of the saddle.Liz was getting somewhat concerned that this might happen when I was dismounting at home alone.Had my horse taken fright and bolted I would have been in deep trouble.So, I tried dismounting with right leg over the front.But the saddle was so slippery that I was parting company with the saddle before I had my legs organised.It was then that Liz introduced me to the SBS.And wow, what a difference.I could then sit sideways,until I had the landing gear out so to speak!
RDA use oodles of SBSs, every day.I have now found that the dismounting benefit, is probably the least of the benefits, and will not ride with out it.When I went to stay with Silvia in Austria, I had so much riding parafinalia, I couldn't BEAR the idea of customs unpicking the seams of my SBS,looking for something I should have declared and didn't; so I left it at home!!.Boy, did I know it.The first day I dismounted from Landardt (Silvia's friend's horse) I left that saddle with such speed that my knees buckled, because I wasn't ready for landing! So be warned; either take your SBS everywhere with you, or be prepared for a mega fast exit!! Heather has a lot to answer for,though she may not know it!!!!!

[Dizzy]

I have found the SBS a great help with riding my newly backed youngster, I've had a long break out of the saddle and am unfit in a riding sense. I've found that when I first get on and I stand up in my stirrups and check my hips are straight and my legs feel equal, it helps to lock me into position when I sit down, not to mention the extra seat security it gives especially combined with sticky bum jods.

Its absolutely brilliant, given me, a totally unfit rider the confidence to just sit relaxed and ride my youngster forward.

As of Monday I'm giving Breeze a rest, she's had 2 weeks at my instructors having lessons (all inhand) and has been freeze branded today, so she's having a week or so off, and I've got the use of my friends Dales/x, which I can ride every day to fitten myself up. I look forward to riding properly if you know what I mean, on an older horse, using the SBS.

All I can say is that the people who knock it, quite obviously haven't ridden in it.

Lesley

[Noblesteed]

Dear Gwenllian and everyone,
I've had my seat bone saver a few weeks now, and it's been great. The non-slip nature of it has really helped me to stay in a good position and to sit still. Ben and I are making good progress with our riding and the SBS has been part of that. One question for you.....I am concerned that Ben can feel the plastic buckles that keep the SBS in place, they lie just under the rear part of the saddle flaps. I don't think I press on them in that position but wonder if he can feel them anyway. I would prefer the buckle to be on top of the flap but the strap it's attached to isn't long enough.
Comfy riding! Cathy.

[Nickie]

Hi all!

Thanks to your wonderful advice - although not actually asked for! I will be acquiring a SBS very soon - I have been riding for ages and have never come accross advice on riding quite like Heather's! Someone posted a reply saying you can hear the horses sigh with relief when you get it right and sign when you get it wrong! From some of the advice - my position has been greatly improved and my horse does almost literally sigh!

I can't wait to get the SBS - from what I have head it should mean I get a learning curve like no other!

Can wait to try it out for myself!

Thanks Heather for what you have done so far - and what your good advice looks set to teach me in the future!

Nicola

[Lancashire Lass]

While you seem to be on-line, could you give me a tip to keep my lower leg more forward!!

It keeps creeping back, my instructor says everything else is spot on, but I have this awful habit of my lower leg creeping back too much, especially on turns, when of course it's supposed to be my supportive leg isn't it!!?

Anything you have for me to work on is much appreciated. Thank You.

BTW, I do have a SS and cherish it!!!

Many Thanks.

JAYNE

[unicorndanca]

Can you tell me Heather if my Wintec Sport AP has stirrup bars that are too forward? I have ordered a seat saver and am really looking forward to trying it out. Can your saddles be purchased in Australia and if not where can I order one?:D

[fizz21]

Can someone please tell me if a SeatBone Saver is anything like a Numah?

Many Thanks Frances

[Miriam]

No it is more like a seat saver. It goes on top of the saddle not underneath. If you go to the heading Shop you should find an advertisement for Heather's.

[Heather]

HI Cathy,


How are you fitting the Seatbone Saver?- the buckle should lie underneath the saddle flap between the flap and the panel and the straps shoudl be long enough to do this.

Can you clarify exactly how you are fitting it?


Heather

[Sharon H]

While we're on the subject, I have bought the HM synthetic saddle and I like it very much. Would there be any point in buying a seat saver to put on top of it? I was under the impression that it was 'built in' on these saddles. Is that correct? Thanks Heather.

[horseloverof12]

I live in the United States and would love to know were I can purchase one. I know a few friends that would love one too! I live in Missouri which is the Gate Way Too The West! Thanks Horseloverof12

[Tammy]

Hi, fellow American!

I ordered my seat bone saver from the shop on this site. It arrived quickly and I love it. Well worth the money.

[Heather]

HI folks,

I will try to answer everyone's questions! Firstly SharonH, unless you have the latest TG HM GP (!!!abbreviations time!), whihc does indeed have the SBS built in, the first ones didn't and yes, I can say that the comfort of the saddle is improved again 100 per cent by the SBS.

I rode Dougal- the horse I sold to NR member and good friend Caron Thatcher- on a TG GP for the whole of last winter with a SBS on it and to be honest, it was so good that it felt nearly like my Barry Swain ones!

Unicorndance, the Wintec Sport bars are much further forward. My saddles will be available in Australia before too much longer and I think that TG have a distributor over there already- will try to find out for you.

Jayne, is it your inside leg or outside leg creeping back too far on turns?


Heather

[unicorndanca]

Thankyou Heather, I'm very interested in purchasing one of your saddles!!