If you have flat inner thighs look for a wider twist. (Pretty easy to determine… if you find yourself pinching with your knees, a wider twist may help. Antares saddles normally have a wider twist).
A too narrow twist will make it feel like you are riding a 2x4 on its side.
One of the most important things to get right when choosing a saddle to suit you is the twist, as Jetsmom mentioned. A too narrow twist will feel like sitting on a timber fence rail. A too wide twist will feel like there is something digging into your upper thighs (up very high near your crotch). The size of twist that suits you is determined more by your bone structure than how much muscle or fat you have in the thigh area. To check this in the saddle you are riding in, sit down into the deepest part of the saddle and drop your feet out of the stirrups and walk around for a little while.
If you are looking to try a different synthetic saddle on a budget, look for second hand Wintecs that allow you to change the gullet plate yourself (called the Easychange gullet). This DIY gullet change system has been around for probably 20 years, so you shouldn’t have to pay much for a second hand saddle. The Wintec Pro dressage or the Wintec 500 has a narrow twist, and the Wintec Isabell has a wider twist. They are each quite different to ride in.
In the pics you posted it is difficult to see much. Can you post some pics of the saddle on the new horse to show how it fits and how the balance is? If the deepest part of the saddle is not where it should be, this will affect how you sit.
Also, how does the saddle size compare to the Thorowgood suggestion (not that this is perfect, but you look to be quite small in frame so is probably reasonably accurate for you)?
That’s my thought as well but it’s really hard to see clearly in the photos. The pommel looks kind of high on that saddle so if the seat is too small you are effectively going to be sitting on the pommel in front, which definitely would not be comfortable.
As for the Chamois Butt’r - that will only help if the issue is chafing. If you’re bumping into the pommel of the saddle, it won’t do anything.
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Among the problems of a too small saddle is it pushes you forward onto the pommel - right where it’s going to rub even at a standstill. If it’s not that the saddle is too small, just doesn’t fit you right, as long as you don’t mind a bit of a barrel feel, the Acavallo Pubis seat cover creates a valley for ALL the sensitive areas so they don’t bear any weight or get rubbed. It’s a little expensive for a cover but way cheaper than a new saddle and you can take it with you. The barrel problem is created by the padding that allows for the cut-away section - it makes your saddle wider. Also FYI, the cut away channel is covered with fabric so it’s not TOO obvious you are protecting your private bits.
If if you do eventually look for a new saddle, I am a huge fan of older (they don’t make them anymore so they have to be older) Albion Original Comfort saddles. They have a super wide twist that makes the area under your crotch and delicate area right behind it flat, so they don’t touch or support weight. Theres no twist getting up and intimate with you. Your thighs and seat bones are what make contact. Some people hate them because you don’t deep into the saddle - you sit on top. And if a narrow twist is sitting on the narrow side of a 2x4, this is sitting on the wide part. But I’d rather sit on top of my saddle than sit on my crotch. Also buying half a size up than you need makes sure the pommel rise isnt a problem either on any saddle.
Good luck!
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Thank you for sharing that. I don’t wear underwear so I know that is one step I take to help prevent an issue. It could be an anatomical issues and I am going to have to be honest with myself about that one! Thank you for sharing your thread and similar issues!
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@jetsmom I do at times pinch with my knees, I thought it was just bad riding habits…Maybe it is my saddle?
@Postandrails I have looked at Wintecs and they are very prevalent in my area both new and used. That certainly is an option going forward as I have seen lots of lightly used saddles going for $300 or less with the gullet pack included. I need to measure my thighs again but I would bet I am a good size or two under what I should be based on that chart. I am certain my thigh is over 20inches so my 16.5 seat is too small. I am just under 5’8" and most of that height is leg (33.5" inner inseam). I will measure tonight to confirm thigh length.
@S1969 I will try to get some better pictures up tonight, didn’t have a chance this weekend. I don’t chafe (knocking on wood) so yeah friction stuff won’t help with my issue.
@PREconvert I will look into both of those! I would rather sit on top of a wide 2x4 than have the narrow part dug into my nethers!
Thank you all for your advice and help! I truly appreciate it!
Guys! I think I forgot some possibly important info? My right leg tends to go numb during long rides. I also have hip/sciatic pain after these rides, well did on my horse but haven’t ridden that long on the lease horse. I have not worked with a trainer since I was 13 but have been working with an advanced barn mate for 3 years. She however has never really pointed out any major issues with my seat. My legs were wayyyy out front when we first started working together and I have since gotten them under me and everything quieted down. Maybe I could stand to pay for a few lessons from a trainer? After 13 I didn’t ride for 14 years, until I got my horse.
I really am a greenie to so much of this and truly know I don’t know much about proper riding and saddle fit. Thanks again for all of you that have helped me!
Twist. When I was looking for my first saddle almost 20 years ago, I spent an entire afternoon at Pelham Saddlery. I tried just about everything, and was in some degree of pain, Stubben being the worst. The store manager came in, pulled a saddle out and asked if I had tried it. I hadn’t because it was about twice what I was planning to spend.
I had an AHHHHH moment. It was an Albion GP900 which is a general purpose Original Comfort… Albions have a wider twist and I really loved it. I stopped in about a year later (looking for bargains on clothes) and the manager said she had the perfect saddle for me. An Albion Original Comfort dressage saddle that was somebody’s a special order on consignment. 19" seat, short flaps, wide tree, extra deep gussets. A barn mate has the GP900 which she loves. Both are in excellent condition with plenty of years left. Albion builds beautiful saddles but they are not well know here.
Interesting note on British saddles from the saddle fitter. My 25 y.o. gelding’s back has dropped as he has gotten older. I needed to add a back riser. I sent the saddle out to have the flocking adjusted. I had the wool changed out about 4 years ago by the same fitter. She said that the British saddles have a balance point a bit farther back than other countries. It’s harder on the horse. She now moves it forward a whisker which almost everybody loves. He’s a lot happier with the flocking adjusted and the riser.
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I suspect a little of both. You are tipped forward, more on your crotch than your seat bones.
The saddle may contribute to this. Try another saddle with some eyes on the ground to check your position. Your position may take time to re-train.
Hey guys!! Sorry I went MIA for a bit…life.
So since posting this thread I have started taking actual Dressage lessons.
I have learned a couple of things from this:
- My position does need work (which we are doing)
- It is also partly the saddle
The two saddles I have used are a Wintec dressage saddle and another Throwogood but a different model. Both are smaller than my current saddle and not what I would call a good fit BUT I have not had the issue during lessons. I also think my stirrups were a bit long on my saddle as I have ridden shorter for my lessons (maybe I am wrong?)
TMI but I don’t wear underwear, ever, so that is not the issue :winkgrin:
I have decided to sell the current saddle once I get another horse and have one properly fitted to us both. There are a couple of tack stores that offer fitting, one that is used by the “big name” barn in my area. I will reach out to them when the time comes and have them out to fit us both.
I will be riding in my saddle this weekend for the first time since starting lessons so I will have a good idea of how it feels then. I did really like the Wintec and was eyeing one when I bought my current saddle but it came down to $$$ at the time. Now I am budgeting a saddle into the “new horse” fund as hindsight is 20/20! I have no brand loyalties and I don’t show so will go with whatever feels good for me and the horse.
Thank you all for your advice 
oooh, yeah, definitely get yourself some lessons. Not that your position looks bad, looks like you have a nice foundation. But it’s different when you’ve just got a friend pointing stuff out, vs. lessons with a trainer who’s really focused on you. Lots of very good riders have no idea how to teach; you want structured lessons from someone who knows how to break down your position to find the parts that need work, and then put it back together.
Good luck with finding a solution to the Iverness issue!
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You are so right!! The friend did give me a great foundation, even my instructor agreed on this point, but she did her best to get me where I am. My instructor has worked on tearing down the bad and building the new & improved, I can already tell it is working.
Thanks! I am sure another saddle, properly fitted, plus improvements to my posture will do the trick!
Omfg, I know this is a zombie thread, but I’ve never heard of the Acavallo Pubis seat cover and holy crap am I having this exact problem.
THANK YOU!!!
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