It's been so long and I need help... rider position, maybe wrong saddle for me?

[Wraper2]

There is a back story further down for those that want to read it, but for those that want to get to the point…

I am having trouble sitting the trot after many years out of the saddle. I feel like maybe my stirrups are to long, or is this just the wrong saddle for me?

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/t31.0-8/11417825_1009312782412321_2652938432359258959_o.jpg

Here is the back story…

I grew up riding… not showing, just putting around. I had some english lessons as a teen but nothing ‘real’ for many many years(I am 47 now).

I bought a filly in 1996 and raised/trained her myself. She was great on the trails and I was very happy with her. I bred her and she foaled a colt in 2000.

I raised him up and did all of his ground work (he is gelded btw). I had back surgery (spinal fusion w/hardware) and was gaining weight. I got on him a dozen times or so, but he was/is very lazy and I started having mild panic episodes about ‘what if’. (he bucked, he bolted, he tripped) I took him to a local trainer at 5 and had 30 days of riding put on him. No formal discipline, just walk, trot, lope, whoa and turning.

Life got in the way for a while. I had bred the mare again in 2002, the filly had colic surgery at 1 yr and died from EEE at 2 and I ‘separated’ from the horses for a while. They got good care but I did not spend hours at the barn anymore. Depression/anxiety issues were getting worse.

In 2012 I took the gelding back to the trainer for a 30 day tune up. I was wanting to get back to riding again. I was up to 340 lbs and was being treated for severe depression. The more I rode the more often I had panic attacks on the horse. I walked mostly with just the occasional trot. No loping as I was ‘afraid’ he would buck.

In Feb of 2014 I went into the hospital for gastric bypass surgery, expecting to be out in 3 days. Things went horribly wrong. I died once, was in a coma for 12 days. I finally got out of the hospital Aug 1, only to be back in a week later, out 5 days after that… off to Emory in Atlanta for surgery on Sept 4 and a 3 week stay. Back to Emory In Nov for another surgery.

So, 13 surgeries so far. I cannot remember anything form Jan 2014 to late April 2014 and have some random memory issues that I term ‘anesthesia brain’.

June 10 I had lost 160 lbs and was feeling great. Went to Emory for a check up and I was given permission to resume riding…as long as I wear a binder. (I have a large hernia that will probably be with me for the rest of my life.)

I took gelding to trainer to see what he remembered and if he needed to stay for another 30 day refresher. Trainer rode him for 30 min and told me to get on an ride him there. Gelding did awesome and trainer said take him home and enjoy.

I have ridden him 3 times in the last week. He is doing great, we trot around like nobody’s business…but I bounce A LOT. No sign of panic attacks yet, and I feel my balance is much better since I lost the weight. Mom took picture (linked above) last night… My legs are out front. I keep thinking ‘chair seat’ but is that an english thing? I can’t remember. Should be a line from shoulder through hip to back of heal, yes?

I occasionally feel like my stirrup is too short, but this is the saddle I have used for a while so could it have changed that much?

Any help, advise, exercise recommendations greatly appreciated!

[beau159]

Well, I guess the first thing is to remember WHY you are riding? I assume to have FUN? So have fun!!

Are you in counseling for your panic attacks? If not, that would be one of the first things I would do. Learn methods to control your panic attacks when you get one, or how to avoid getting them in the first place.

Also, what exercise program on your on right now? Of course, riding is physicaly activity all in its own and it is going to take time for you to regain that muscle strength. But you will gain it faster if you have yourself on an exercise program. Pay special attention to things that work your legs, and your core, and your balance.

Not to mention, your horse is also out of shape. They aren’t going to be the smoothest thing if they aren’t in shape. Give your horse some time too, or help build them up by lunging or hand-walking (good exercise for you too!).

In your picture, it looks to me like you are bracing with your legs. That will make you bouncy. And put you in a chair seat. Now, certain saddles have a tendency to put you in a chair seat based on their design. It might be you, or it might be your saddle. Your seat size looks to be too large (makes sense since you lost weight) and that won’t put you in a good position either.

So I would suggest you go saddle shopping. Try several of them (make sure they fit your horse, of course) but make sure they aren’t putting you into that chair seat and it is appropriate for your seat size.

[Bombproof]

The “chair seat” is common in the design of a lot of Western saddles. I have been told by an old-timer that it’s an artifact of rodeo where people do a lot of sudden stops and changes of direction and need to brace against the cantle, but I don’t know if that’s true. What I do know is that I have a saddle built in 1943 and two built in 1917 and they all sit like a dressage saddle, with the shoulder, hip, and ankle aligned and a moderately long leg. If your ankles are forward of your hips, there is no way you can comfortably sit a trot, or rise to it, for that matter. The first thing I would suggest is to have a knowledgeable person watch you ride and critique your position. It may be that you need a different saddle. It may also be that you just need to work on your seat.

[2enduraceriders]

Throw or give that saddle away and buy a well made decent one that fits you! From the looks of things a poor saddle is all your “problems”. Enjoy!!!

The local tack shop here will allow you to take a used saddle home to try.

[Bluey]

As a riding instructor, my guess is that you may consider that starting from the start is good for horses AND for riders.

In your situation, I would find a very good instructor with good longe and beginner horses and spend as much time as you can as often as you can for a little bit until you get your own riding sorted out, first on the longe line and then on some old, well trained schoolie.

All along you can putter along with your horse and still have that fun, as you are getting yourself re-acquainted with proper riding skills and fitness under a good instructor.
That instructor may even be able to evaluate your saddle and have one or know of one or help you get what will fit you and your horse best, if you need a change of saddle.

That time spent up front, for horses and riders, tends to pay big time for years to come.
Give it a try, if possible and many of your questions will be answered and/or disappear on their own.

[PeanutButterPony]

Is that a synthetic saddle?

[js]

Congrat’s on your weight loss! Yes, your saddle is causing you to have a chair seat, if nothing else trying pulling your legs back and getting your heal under you. You may or may not be able to accomplish this with your saddle but try it first.

Nothing wrong with synthetic saddles. They are light weight and easy to lift. If you have had lots of surgeries you might want to continue using one if you have restrictions on lifting. If you have access to other western saddles, try some other’s and see if it improves your sitting the trot.

Does your horse have a smooth or rough trot? If he is a bit rough, sitting the trot will get better, you just need some time to get used to it again. Don’t be ashamed to grab onto the saddle for a little while to help you get your seat or post the trot.

[Wraper2]

OK… going to find a trainer to work with. I had been tossing that idea around already.

As far as a smaller saddle, this one is a 17 inch. How much smaller should I go? I found one I like, and I want to try it out but it is a 16 inch and I do not know if that is smaller enough. What would I look for to decide if it is ‘smaller’ enough?

[2enduraceriders]

A saddle should easily put you or allow you to “fall” into a balanced position. You may want to try a 15 or 15.5. When I sat in the used Steele saddle at the saddle shop it was the first time in years that nothing hurt. So go sit in a bunch of used saddles then try a few on him. Stay away from the “cheap” saddles and go with a nice leather brand used.

[Bombproof]

[QUOTE=2enduraceriders;8212995]
When I sat in the used Steele saddle at the saddle shop it was the first time in years that nothing hurt.[/QUOTE]

Steele makes a remarkably comfortable saddle! I have one of their plantation saddles and I’ve logged many miles in it.

[beau159]

The “rule of thumb” to find the right Western seat size is to sit in the saddle and you should be able to put 2 fingers in front of your thigh to the swell. I found this picture on Google to demonstrate.
http://www.westernglamour.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/article-0011.jpg

Of course, it is always best if you can sit in the saddle on your horse, rather than it on the saddle stand.

Of course, everyone will have their own preferance. Some people like a tighter fit than the 2 fingers, and others like more room than that. I primarily barrel race so I personally like a tight seat.

[PeanutButterPony]

The issue with synthetic saddles is the slippery leathers don’t help you the way leather would.