How to make my saddle tacky?

I hope you’re not cleaning the leather on the side of the boot that touches the saddle… that’s almost guaranteed to cause your leg to slip

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8611799]
I’m sort of a re-rider. The real re-riders don’t like when I use that term. Lol. I took about 3 years off while my horse was recovering from an injury. I’m just out of shape now! We do about 20 mins of no stirrup work a couple times a week. I try for every ride, but sometimes rides are short. And 2 point at the walk. It helps, but I notice a big difference when my tack and boots have just been cleaned verse not. Thanks everyone!!![/QUOTE]

I understand where you are coming from and agree that a grippier saddle will help you get your strong leg back. Here are some things that have helped me:

-when you oil or condition your saddle, roll the flaps to help soften them up. Hard to explain, but kind of a back and forth rolling and bending of the flap. Think massage. work on it often at first, once the flaps are soft and pliable you won’t have to do it as often

  • if your boots are kind of slick, perhaps you could get a pair of grippier half chaps - the Treadstep Deluxe are quite grippy. Also, you can use the Sit-tite spray or the roll on sticky stuff without worrying about it gumming up your boots. I would try a sticky product, but don’t put too much on.

  • I like the FITS full seat breeches to school in, especially jumping. They really do make my leg feel more secure. Pricey, but they hold up very well.

  • The cheese grater pads help keep my leg stable. I bought the inexpensive inserts for my plain old fillis irons. They can be tricky to install, but definitely doable. We use clear caulk to stabilize them once they are in place. It’s hard to keep your leg in place if your boot slips, even a tiny bit. Some say they mark up your saddle flaps. I have a calfskin saddle which scratches easily and haven’t had any problem. Speaking of calfskin, It is tackier and definitely helps.

I know the no stirrups work is helpful, but it isn’t always practical, and being able to grip better makes it more doable. And your question was about grippier tack, not how to get a stronger leg. You obviously are aware of what you need to do in that regard. Unless my leg is very stable when I’m riding without stirrups, my mare is like “what the hell are you doing up there?!” and is less willing to trot around nicely.

All good suggestions!

I find Passier Ledersbalm makes my saddle extremely tacky for the first ride, anyhow. And full-seat breeches are great. Though even if they stick to the saddle, they don’t necessarily stick to you. I remember once wearing a brand new pair, and realizing the pants were sticking to the saddle while I was posting up and down inside them. Only polish the outside of your boots, or get half-chaps that are really sticky. I see half-chaps with neoprene components now, which I don’t really like, but might be sticky.

You might also check the saddle fit for you. Is the saddle interfering with your balance at all? And maybe get evaluated by a massage therapist or chiro to see if there are any asymmetries in you legs/hips/back that are affecting your balance.

I agree that tack can’t fix position, but bad gear can really get in the way!

I used to get a piece of bees wax and run it down the inside of my boot to keep it from slipping on stirrup leathers. I would also rub just a bit on either side of saddle where my seat bones would be.

So, I ride today after cleaning my saddle the correct way and holy moly!!! Amazing the difference. It was in a lesson… They tend to go on the long side, so I probably ride for about an hour and 20 mins, towards the end I could tell the “tackiness” was wearing off. If I clean it regularly like a good equestrian, will it start to just stay tacky? Regardless, I had an amazing ride today and felt like a boss with my legs staying in place! I also wore full seats. They stuck on me as well as the saddle :wink:

https://www.horseloverz.com/horse-barn-stable-supplies-equipment/tack-room-supplies/tack-cleaning-leather-care/pharmaka-guter-sitz-tite-cream

I use this stuff on my boots, and find it does help.

Couldn’t resist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq7Eki5EZ8o

:smiley:

I hated using Effax Lederbalsam on my saddle because it made it sticky, so I would try that.

I preferred using the Voltaire balm because it wasn’t slick, but it wasn’t tacky.

There is that “special feel” of Saddle tite on Mondays after a successful weekend. Love that feel–then clean it off for the next great ride.