Embarrassing issue in the saddle

OP I have the same issue. No spots on my breeches. And only noticed it on my new saddle - my old one didn’t show. I just clean my tack after every ride and “buff” it away. I wonder if it’s just new soft leather and will stop showing eventually? If you find a solution I’d love to hear it.

if you are dressing properly in winter or summer, the best thing that happens is that sweat “transpires” through the cloth of your clothing and leaves the body. It is why in winter, if your are dressed properly , the outside of a wool sweater will be damp after riding.

It is entirely probably that normal sweating is evaporating though the cloth and onto the leather. Yes you need to up your saddle cleaning routine as body chemicals, both sweat and vaginal are going to chemically interact with the leather.

I rode in long line biking shorts/ underpants, without padding. This eliminated the leg band chafing and I felt dryer. I also rode dressage and favored a slightly looser fit breech. You might consider a more relaxed fit breech and see if that help with dispersing the normal body liquids.

Seat saver ? http://www.freedomrider.com/Saddle-Seat-Saver-JMS-Merino-Sheepskin.html

This is a hot climate, and the annual dark marks are already appearing.

Because these marks do not fade between rides, and stay visible until after a few weeks of cold weather in the fall, it occurred to me that they are coming from the saddle itself. Perhaps tanning stuff embedded in the leather. Perhaps something natural in the leather itself. Maybe the increased body heat in summer months bring it to the surface. To stay, until cold weather.

As said previously, I have seen these marks on many saddles in this part of the country, of all disciplines. The more they are ridden in, the more the marks appear.

To me they are not a big deal at all. If anything, they are the ‘marks’ of a dedicated rider. :yes:

Maybe the easiest thing to do is to think about it another way: You are getting some serious riding done, and you can arch an eyebrow at anyone who doesn’t have those marks. Just an idea. :smiley:

Girlfriend. Do not be embarrassed. Life is way too short. I am in my late 40s with 2 kids. I should buy stock in whatever those pee your pants thongs are, and I can tell you with confidence that they have their limits. I went to a urologist and he could not make me pee involuntarily and when I told him there was NO WAY I would pee when he was anywhere near that region he told me my bladder was fine. This proclamation, however, has not stopped me from needing to tie a hunt coat around my waist after a particularly exciting round. When someone asks me to jump on a naughty horse I now feel the need to issue a disclaimer that if naughty horse does something my bladder finds exciting, I will need saddle soap. This sometimes embarrasses even close friends, but after telling someone “I think I just peed my pants” and having them laugh until I was like, “Dude. I’m in your saddle and I’m not kidding,” I feel like a warning is in order. I’m not saying you are “leaking,” it’s probably sweat. But do not be embarrassed. Like everything else in life the less people talk about stuff like this the more convinced they become it is only happening to them. I have a barnmate that pees her pants with me at horseshows and we keep our groom in stitches about it. If it has never happened to you it’s a mortifying thought but if you are like me you just learn not to use Walsh oil on your saddle and laugh it off. Laugh or cry baby, laugh or cry.

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