Probably saddle twist as already mentioned. Desitin–used for diaper rash – will help until you find better saddle fit.
If it is a chafing issue, try Anti Monkey Butt Powder. I swear that is the name! A girlfriend got it for me as a joke, but I will not be without it any more. I found it at a local hardware store (of all places) but have seen it other places as well.
http://www.antimonkeybutt.com/ works like a charm!
I have to agree it could be a position issue but it could also be the saddle. I would experiment first before buying another saddle.
Interesting, I too found the Keiffer saddles to be quite uncomfortable for the same reason. I thought it was just me 
I don’t have that particular problem, but I have a sheepskin seat cover that I use in the winter (so cozy) and I think that might help you when you’re schooling, to make you more comfortable. Sheepskin stays cool in the summer too, so really, you could use it any time. Just a thought
a lot of gals with typical feminine pelvic structure can’t ride in the older Keiffers which are built with men in mind. However, more than half of us don’t have the typical female pelvic shape and find the wider twist saddles “for women” murderous. I love old Keiffers and Passier, hate Stubben, Albion, and the Isabel for those reasons. Depends on your individual shape. It does sound like the OP will be happier with a wider twist or different tree shape.
After years of painful trail riding with proper fitting saddles, wide twist, I opted to try a Brazilian wax last week. This week I went on a 10 mile trail ride with a new rider so nothing but walking. Normally, I would have been trying to adjust my seat position by the end of the ride but not now. Very comfortable.
Wait a week until you have stubble and then school sitting trot for an hour. Just saying…
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I’d say it’s the saddle. I had the same thing happen to me with a Schleese JES Advanced. It was awful. I’ve not had that happen in any saddle before or since.
At nearly 50 years old, with countless 6-8 hour trail rides in my history in a variety of dressage saddles plus schooling and showing and no special shrubbery maintenance, it’s a saddle issue, not a…fern issue.
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I have had a problem with chafed lady bits, chafed until raw, for years, in a variety of saddles. It has to do with my conformation and the lady bits themselves. I finally figured out what works for me: I attach a thin, foam-filled pad, like “Always,” to my undies, and slather the pad with Monostat Chafing Relief Gel. Problem solved, costing much less, both in money and time, than finding a new saddle.
LOT of good posts!
I’ll add something that’ll make people cringe. “Regular” underwear can cause chaffing, esp cotton, where you mentioned. 20 years ago, I rode with a young girl who did a summer at a big dressage training barn with her horse. No kidding, -they told the girds (she was maybe 14 at the time) to wear thong underwear to a) eliminate panty lines when showing and b) increase the “length of the leg” by not having said panty line. I tried it and have worn thongs ever since. The edges don’t sit in the same place and they are incredibly comfy to ride in.My undies are nylon with cotton panels. Sorry, I’m sure this is TMI for people!!!
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I used to struggle with this too — both “up front” and also right on my seat ones I would rub myself raw. Agree with others that something to prevent chafing is key. I use vitamin e oil or body glide depending on what needs help. Also try experimenting with underwear that comes down your thighs. Boy shorts ride up on me so I actually like spanx. But be careful that the crotch shape and stitching is different on the different levels of shapewear. The level 2 shape is what works for me.
And then lastly just just give yourself time. the more you can go with your horse the less of a problem you will have.
You are not alone!
Whatever the OPs issue, it was 10 years ago so hopefully she’s found some relief by now!
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I didn’t notice! Thanks!!!
There was a thread started some years ago by a CoTHer using the alias “Alter Pain” or something like that. She was finally going to have surgery to change the conformation of her labia to get relief. I don’t think she ever followed up. The point is that while the way the rider fits/doesn’t fit in the saddle can definitely be the cause of the problem, sometimes it’s not the saddle, but the person.
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Sadly, being in the midst [still!] of my new unicorn search I’m not riding enough to have this problem but when I was 4-5 days a week riding dressage, it was in my Wow saddle, so few probs. If it was a ‘lot of sitting trot’ kind of day, [lesson or test practice] I do recommend Body Glide.
I think one ‘toughens up’ in that area - or at least that’s what my family doctor says. Some riders are swearing by ‘Jelly Pants’ but I’ve never tried them, OP might want to try them?
Ditto Inverness problems. Old thread that’s definitely worth a read.
I slab some vasoline down there.
But pretty much, my saddle assaults me if I don’t keep my pelvis tucked fwd. It’s an amazing teacher in it’s own way. Lol.
:lol::lol::lol:
I just stopped in to say, I love the title of your thread! :lol: It makes me giggle every time I see it pop up on Today’s Topics.
