Narrow twists and hip problems

[DMK]

@lorilu

Me too! I had a really hard time with my left leg - it floated out in front and I fought to keep it under me. Then a saddle fitter suggested it was the twist too wide - she brought out a Custom Wolfgang Solo II - and it is magic.

I have always had a narrow twist saddle in hunterland and I started looking for (as I called it) a unicorn dressage saddle. Unicorn because I had a 2k budget for a used saddle and REALLY unicorn because I was starting to feel like I needed a crane to get me out of every freaking dressage saddle I sat in, my IT band and hips just went into lockdown spasm mode (and yes, they should be more flexible, but that wasn’t going to happen unless I found a saddle to ride in). So when I found a Custom Wolfgang solo with full thigh blocks, but checked every other box (right size, wide tree, right price) AND had extra long flaps for bonus points… I was willing to sit in it even though I was SURE the blocks would kill me.

I sat in it. It’s possible I may have even smiled it fit so perfectly, literally the first dressage saddle I sat in that couldn’t be convicted of attempted murder. I took it out on trial, with a solemn vow to ride far too long for too many days in a row with exactly ZERO ibuprofen (or robaxin) in order to let it try and kill me when we were at the barn. Nope. No pain.

It’s beyond insane for me to say this (about a dressage saddle), but I kinda heart that saddle.

[Inclined]

I have similar issues and have found that the less padding between my knee and the horse, the less pain I have. Also, shortening my stirrups helps tremendously. Like you, I am more comfortable in a CC saddle, but can get by in a few AP saddles, such as the old-as-the-hills Passier I recently bought. The balance in that saddle is spot on for dressage, but the flaps are more forward, so my stirrups can be as short as I need them to be. The “old timers” practiced dressage quite well in what we would consider AP saddles today.

[Equibrit]

Ever seen these; https://www.duettsaddles.com/product/tango/

[Dune]

@Inclined

I have similar issues and have found that the less padding between my knee and the horse, the less pain I have. Also, shortening my stirrups helps tremendously. Like you, I am more comfortable in a CC saddle, but can get by in a few AP saddles, such as the old-as-the-hills Passier I recently bought. The balance in that saddle is spot on for dressage, but the flaps are more forward, so my stirrups can be as short as I need them to be. The “old timers” practiced dressage quite well in what we would consider AP saddles today.

I don’t mind saddles with “less”, such as the older Passiers you’re talking about. The problem I’ve found is that even their wide isn’t really that wide at all.

[Dune]

@Equibrit

Ever seen these; https://www.duettsaddles.com/product/tango/

Once you’ve gotten accustomed to the quality of saddles that has already been mentioned in this thread, the Duetts just don’t cut the mustard. Also, if you’ve ever sat in one, they are really wide because they truly are hoop trees. I think just about everyone would have to stretch before riding in these, lol!

[Inclined]

@Dune

I don’t mind saddles with “less”, such as the older Passiers you’re talking about. The problem I’ve found is that even their wide isn’t really that wide at all.

The one I have is actually quite wide. Whether it was widened after construction or not, I have no idea. I think what really helps with the Passiers is their short tree points. IMO, the longer the points, the fewer fit options one has. My PSP all purpose fits both my table-backed pony and DD’s gelding/tank. They’re both wide but shaped differently, and this saddle is forgiving enough (thankfully) to fit both of them reasonably well.

[Equibrit]

@Dune

Once you’ve gotten accustomed to the quality of saddles that has already been mentioned in this thread, the Duetts just don’t cut the mustard. Also, if you’ve ever sat in one, they are really wide because they truly are hoop trees. I think just about everyone would have to stretch before riding in these, lol!

See post #30. Don’t be fooled by fashion.

[kiwichick]

@Equibrit

Ever seen these; https://www.duettsaddles.com/product/tango/

My understanding of the Duett is that it is a very wide twist saddle.

[Equibrit]

@kiwichick

as i have learnt there is no generic hip pain, and mine isnt the twist causing it (well im.pretty sure) but my hip angle seems to be the issue. I highly doubt a mono flap would make any difference at all, so our source of pain must be different. Definitely big blocks and deep seats are agony for me as they push my hip angle open. Its only one hip too.

My horse is Baroque and i think my current saddle is a hoop tree actually.

???

[kiwichick]

@Equibrit

???

Not quite sure what thats about, im assuming its that ive said i now believe the twist to be the lesser of my issues between that and my hip angle.

My current saddle meets all of the current best hip ideas (open seat, pencil knee rolls, incredibly shallow cantle) the only thing i could improve on would be a narrow twist, so i wouldnt replace it for a different version of the same thing.

[alibi_18]

If ever you come across a Delgrange dressage saddle, try it. It’s the saddle with the narrowest twist I’ve ever sat on.
I could never ride in that, but I like really wide and deep saddles.

[Farys]

In 2012 I herniated two discs in my lower back and ultimately it resulted in back surgery. Prior to the herniation I had extreme lower back and hip pain and I found that a narrower twist helped me tremendously. I had to stop riding for a while until after I had back surgery and I found that I would get very sore hips and back from one of my saddles. I ended up selling it and was able to make one saddle work for two horses until recently.

The saddle hunt began and I was shocked at how much the knee rolls were affecting me. I ended up with a Custom Advantage R with short thigh blocks instead of a huge knee roll as I initially thought I wanted. My saddle has a nice deep seat, half thigh blocks and a narrow twist. Me knees are not pushing up against anything and my leg just drapes really nicely. For the first time in my riding career, I don’t feel like I’m fighting my saddle to keep my leg on.

Do you have a long femur? Perhaps looking into saddles with a thigh block instead of knee roll could be an option for you. I am truly amazed at the difference. I have had absolutely no hip/back pain since buying this saddle. Best purchase I could have made.

[Dune]

@Inclined

The one I have is actually quite wide. Whether it was widened after construction or not, I have no idea. I think what really helps with the Passiers is their short tree points. IMO, the longer the points, the fewer fit options one has. My PSP all purpose fits both my table-backed pony and DD’s gelding/tank. They’re both wide but shaped differently, and this saddle is forgiving enough (thankfully) to fit both of them reasonably well.

Good points (lol!) and thanks for the feedback, good to have options! I’ve never seen one truly wide enough, but I will keep an open mind (and an eye out!) for the future.

[Dune]

@Equibrit

See post #30. Don’t be fooled by fashion.

Not sure why you’re referring me to the OP’s post, I read it. Stretches are helping her and the even wider twist on a Duett is not likely to help her cause. I’m hardly a slave to fashion, I just don’t find these saddles to be comfortable, or made well. My opinion, you are welcome to yours.