Holy crap my seatbones hurt!

[Badger]

I’ve lost about five pounds, I’m tall with a healthy BMI. And I’m doing a good deal more piaffe passage work off my seatbones. And I’m working hard to sit tall correctly which changes my seat position a tad. And I’m riding 3-4 horses a day including daily hour-long walks on a horse being rehabbed. After a few days of ignoring nagging seatbone discomfort I am now in real need of some padding back there. I have four saddles that have always fit me very well and I am switching between the two jump and two dressage saddles (all custom and good fit) among my rides and it doesn’t seem to be any of the saddles. It’s my booty (or lack thereof…).

Do so any of the padded undies work on seatbone but not crotch? And stay firmly enough in place for upper level work on a sensitive horse? Or are there seat savers that work for dressage, not just trail? (I’m schooling the GP test on a big moving horse and need to be secure in the saddle not wiggling around on something shifting.)

I have had issue when I’m around this weight before, and once rode in bicycle shorts for a while. That was doable for hunting but I won’t be happy with it with dressage. I like this weight (result of lifestyle, not diet) other than this little seatbone issue that is suddenly a BIG deal.

Help?

[Rerider54]

I would never have thought of bike shorts. There is a lady at our barn also rehabbing her horse. She said that walking is what is killing her seat bones. She bought a ‘seat saver’ just to use for those long walks. Worth a try if you can find one cheap/used or borrow one.

[kande04]

@Badger

this little seatbone issue that is suddenly a BIG deal.

Help?

I have the same problem, so took some large shoulder pads out of an old jacket because they looked like they’d be the right shape and the edges taper. Worked great. I stuff them into a pair of thick, tight breeches.

I thought I might have to sew them in once I figured out where I wanted them, but haven’t had to because the pads are made out of some kind of a coarse material that doesn’t slide on the fabric the breeches are made of, and I prefer that they’re movable so I can reach in and adjust them if I need to.

[Badger]

I used a sheepskin half pad on top of the saddle (strapped to the billets) for the hack walk and it helped (and saves me having to buy something while I sort things out).

Kande, I wouldn’t have expected pads like that to stay put and work, but that sounds easy to try. Thank you!

[Tyrus_Mom]

Those gel seats keep you secure in your seat. They don’t shift around. I put one on my Stubben dressage saddle when I occasionally use it. I don’t have your (great) problem tho. I bet a gel seat would help.

[Dressage_Strider]

I swear by my gel seat saver, and I purchased one that has pubic relief.
Added bonus, it’s extending the life of my saddle’s seat.

[purplnurpl]

@Dressage_Strider

Added bonus, it’s extending the life of my saddle’s seat.

After having my previous saddle’s seat need replaced this is huge.

Did I read correctly, that seat savers are not allowed in competition?

I’d have purchased one but I don’t want to change my butt’s feel when I show…

[buck22]

Actually, the breech company FITS created a breech for this instance, with pockets in the seatbone area for the application of Thinline shims. FITS = no slip + TL = no concussion = happy seat bones.

The idea never seemed to really take off, though FITS makes great breeches and TL is a fabulous material… so maybe you could score an amazing deal if you look, as neither company made a budget-friendly model (iirc the FITS+TL was in the $300 realm)

[gardenie]

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Equi-Logic_Cover_Your_Assets_Padded_Riding_Underwear/descpage-CYAU.html

[gardenie]

http://www.derriereequestrian.com/product_catalogue_female_underwear.html

[Magicboy]

You can get a letter from a TD allowing a seat saver in competition

[Badger]

I appreciate all these good ideas.

@gardenie

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Equi…page-CYAU.html

These look interesting but in what universe is a size large a 23” waist??? :eek:

i know the the owner of FITS so will ask about their TL version, but I am not a $300 breeches kind of gal. I’d rather have something that works with a variety of breeches or saddles.

I have some shims from an old half pad that I may try sticking down a pair of breeches. If that seems workable I could trim some TL material for this purpose.

I have the same concerns as Purple about schooling in something different than I show in. But I think I should try a gel seat saver to have on hand at least for hacking. And if I love it for dressage can look into the TD letter, didn’t know about that.

[McZ19]

FYI, bike shorts only pad the crotch. Bicycle saddles (for serious cyclists, anyway) are very narrow and the sit bones aren’t in contact with the saddle at all. You’ll sometimes see big, wide “tractor seat” saddles on “cruiser” type bikes, where the riders sit upright, but most of the folks on those bikes don’t bother with bike shorts anyway.

[Badger]

Actually, the bike shorts I wore under my breeches some years ago did pad the seatbones as well as the crotch. But I don’t want crotch padding so they are not a candidate now.

[Cowgirl]

Badger, I have never had this issue, but I ride in a Hennig that has holes cut out for the seat bones (and crotch) and gel pads inserted. Hate to say this, but maybe trial a saddle. :0 I am fairly confident that I will buy a Hennig for my next horse. I had to wear padded undies with every other saddle I owned.

The other thing you might try is some sticky crap for your saddle. You don’t want to be moving with your seat so much in pi/pa that you get sore–its more of a weight/core thing (at least for me).

[Erika]

Maybe look into the Acavallo Air Plus Gel Seat Saver: https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Acavallo_Air_Plus_Gel_Seat_Saver_Gel_Out_-_Dressage/descpage-ASGD.html I have ridden in it. It’s nice to ride in and is secured. It doesn’t shift around but could be easily switched from one dressage saddle to another.

[Equibrit]

Check these out; http://www.saddlebums.com/ractiglad.html

https://outlawtack.com/products/ladies-full-seat-silicone-gel-padded-riding-tights?variant=35377968973