I’ve emailed an independent fitter that’s highly spoken of in Texas – we’ll see what she says!
That’s funny my husband is a hockey player and I was just discussing how skating and riding (and downhill skiing) share a lot of the same muscle groups. I found this mobility workout from the NHL that have a lot of the things my personal trainer has me work on as well for riding.
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I have not read through this entire thread but I’ll throw in my two cents as an ex-saddle fitter/rep.
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Your saddle seat could be too small. However, this is totally a personal preference as you will see between reps, posts here, etc. I had riders that needed a 18 to “look correct” but a small saddle felt right to them and they’d ride better in it. It also went the opposite way. Sitting - I would say maybe you could do a half inch though its not terrible, but riding I could see where it looks small.
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On the flip, I also feel like this particular saddle is pushing your hips back and your knees forward and putting you at an unfavorable angle. That could absolutely be due to the seat size/flap configuration. It could also be due to the model. I find that a lot of reps try and fit the flap to your leg in a sitting position, and they wind up giving you a flap that you’re constantly trying to ride into/search for because when you ride - the seat & leg changes. Many people think they need more flap than they do, purely for security reasons and because when they “sit” in the saddle, there isn’t “enough flap upfront”. It all changes in motion - which is why rider fit and trying all the saddles is so important.
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85% of the time, if a rider is saying they are having trouble getting their legs on a horse, I can fix it with a change of the twist or model.
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The flexi stirrups aren’t helping, but if you have to have them - you have to have them. I thought I needed them forever, but wound up changing to a wide foot bed non-flex stirrup that was so much better for me.
If you’re struggling with your stirrups (constantly up and down to try and fix your leg) and struggling with your position, I’d definitely consult a fitter and try different models & size configurations. I’d even look at other brands as well, unless you are absolutely in love with DVX.
You will have a lot of people saying you just need to be stronger, do more no stirrup work, etc. And while it may be the case (I’ll never be the judge of that), I can tell you the right saddle will make that all SO much easier and no amount of doing those exercises in the wrong saddle will make it better.
I saw you mentioned you were in TX. I am as well! So I’m always happy to answer any questions you might have. I’m trying to check into the BB more often these days.
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I wonder how much of that my newly postpartum body can get through 
🫠🫠
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You remind me of me and my DD16. I’m 5’2" . She’s 5’. I have long legs - especially weirdly long femurs. A jiujitsu professor I’d trained under for years once remarked while watching me roll 1-on-1 that my femurs were so long that it made it that much more difficult to pull my leg through an opponent’s butterfly guard. I can ride in the 5’8" trainer’s dressage saddle without having to shorten the stirrup leathers.
Poor DD16 inherited my freakishly long femurs. Her current saddle fits the horse well but we’re finding the stirrup bar and flap length/angle is not working for her. I see some of the same in your videos. The seat likely fits you. But perhaps you need a longer, more forward set flap? And stirrup bar placement is everything for us long-legged peeps with a slight build, I’m finding out.
