Calling saddle gurus....

[sign_of_Grace]

So I had pretty significant back surgery (2 level fusion with hardware) in Feb 2013. Due to that, I have a permanent weakness in my right foot. I ride endurance and after about 10-12 miles my lean to the left becomes greater and greater.

Thought my Freeform saddle fit my boy pretty well, but he ended up with white hairs on the left side after our last LD ride. I have panels for the Freeform in case anyone needs to know that.

My thought is the treeless (although I absolutely LOVE it) is going to be too forgiving and exacerbates my one-sidedness. Or maybe do a thin shim on the left to force my body over slightly?

Looking for suggestions as this isn’t going to go away unfortunately and I’m not going to stop (unless the horse is hurting from it, which he never was). Different treed saddle maybe? If so, what?

[Guilherme]

First suggestion: physical therapy. A good one can do a lot to help you restore balance. This will likely mean a major commitment of time on your part.

White hairs are signs of pressure. Horses suffer at least discomfort, and maybe pain, when pressure in increased. They may be “stoic” and not show it but it’s there.

If you can’t equalize the balance through PT then a good saddler should be able to devise an approach that will spread the increased pressure and reduce any pain/discomfort.

Of course if it’s too severe then you may have to look for another discipline.

G.

[saratoga]

i think that many of us are crooked, even if we dont have old injuries or issues. White hairs would definitely concern me though. thats quite a lot of pressure.
It seems like it could make sense to try different saddles. i would recommend a custom made DeSoto. They look more western, but are quite close contact. They are pretty heavy compared to English saddles or treeless saddles, but very well balanced. You could also talk to the lady who makes them and ask her opinion on your situation.

[chicamux]

Sorry, but you have to fix YOU. Look for the right instructor, maybe a Centered Riding instructor and get yourself balanced. We usually can’t do it on our own as the crooked now feels right because it has become our new normal. I went thru major crookedness after knee surgery. Literally rubbed a hole in one side of my saddle with my half chaps from being so crooked. I had to take responsibility for my own body and improve it.

Do not think that a saddle will be enough to protect your horse or an insert under the saddle. Get into an arena where it will be easier for an instructor with a good eye to view you and work with you.

[sign_of_Grace]

Guess some missed it. I had back surgery. I’ve had this problem since I had a near-death motorcycle accident in 2010. Been in PT since then. Was just trying to get saddle suggestions. If I could fix ME, I would.

[Kitt]

There are fitting solutions to keep the saddle from slipping to one side. My experience is with treed saddles, so I can’t say with any assurance what your treeless fix might be (or if indeed there is a fix), but if you want to explore that, check with Abby at www.saddlingsolutions.com. She’d be able to let you know what your options are.

On treed saddles, a modified billet system is often a help if the rider is constantly off to one side. You can also modify the flocking and/or use shims; in really severe cases, a saddle with special panels can be made to offer more support on the side you lean toward.

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=sign of Grace;7298925]
Guess some missed it. I had back surgery. I’ve had this problem since I had a near-death motorcycle accident in 2010. Been in PT since then. Was just trying to get saddle suggestions. If I could fix ME, I would.[/QUOTE]

I didn’t miss it. The OP was unclear on the extent of prior PT. If you’ve reached your “maximum cure” then you’re going to need an equipment fix. If there is no proper equipment fix then you’re going to need to find another discipline.

I concur that a good centered riding instructor would be beneficial. They might have some equine-specific exercises that you can run past your PT expert. They might also have some ideas on equipment modification.

G.

[gothedistance]

Sadly, I don’t think a saddle is going to solve your problem without you being very very conscious of how your ride…every…single…second. Even if it takes a friend to say “sit correctly”, “sit correctly”, “you’re leaning”, etc.

It is very hard for a distance rider to stay centered the entire ride even in the best of saddles, and I’ve followed many a person that went down the trail that were riding off to one side or the other. I’m guilty of the same (and have the photographs to prove it, much to my chagrin). My body will alert me that I’m not centered, but only after many miles, that I’m pressing more on my right stirrup than my left. I’ve tried adjustments (shortening one leather to prevent a lean), but that just makes me sore.

Chixamux is correct - you need to continue to work on fixing yourself. Your equipment can only do so much, but it can’t cure a crooked rider.

Personally, I do a pre-ride check to make absolutely sure my saddle is on my horse’s back exactly centered, and leathers are perfectly even so that my legs are correct which puts my back upright, and helps keep my hands light. And I try to think about riding as evenly as possible all along the way for the next 7 1/2 to 8 hours.

My advise is also to second Guilherme’s suggestion and see if your PT person can suggest something.

And if you aren’t already, start taking some dressage lessons.