I have a HUGE moving XXL horse with VERY narrow/high withers. My new saddle fits him great, he is really happy and moves quite freely in it. But… it has a hard seat and a quite high pommel/narrow twist compared to my last saddle. Otherwise it fits me great. My last clinic made my, umm, nether regions 
very sore after 3 hours of sitting his giant trot - even with padded underwear! I was thinking of trying a seat saver to add some more cushion to the saddle seat. Has anyone else had this problem and tried a seat saver? Or have you found another good solution? His comfort is more important than mine so I want to keep this saddle - but I’d also like to be able to walk after my next intense clinic haha.
Try one of the gel seatsavers.
Like these:
http://www.acavallo.com/products/shock-absorbing-gel-seat-saver/
This is what worked for my VeryNovice DH when he first started riding & needed some cush for his “parts”
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Thank you! These look great!
I think thinline makes one too.
I have looked into the thin line - many reviews that I have found say that they don’t add much cushion if that is what you are looking for.
Are these seat saver pads secure? do they attach to the saddle or just grip the leather? do you find you feel too “stuck” on the horse, or does the gel grab you in an irrirtating way? Just wondering because I have started trail riding in my dressage saddle that is extremely comfortable, on a horse with soft comfy gaits, but nevertheless after 3 or 4 hours there is a little bit of rub. These look amazing. But I’m wondering if they would be good for an 8 hour ride, for instance?
You may find that a tiny tweak of the balance of the seat will solve the problem, I’d talk to your fitter and see if she can make a small adjustment that will roll you back off your crotch without changing the fit on the horse. My custom made saddle was a little eye-watering straight out of the box, but my fitter waved her magic wand over it and all is fine.
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jellypantz…really does work!
The Acavallo gel ones are great. The one with the fabric on top doesn’t stick to you or grab but it’s a little sticky on the saddle side so it doesn’t move around at all. It’s the best one I’ve ever found.
Yes, I was thinking about having the fitter out, but he moves so well in it that I was worried to suggest changing anything!
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Which do you prefer? The fabric top one or the other one?
I use a thin line one and I believe it does help distribute the concussion. It’s very secure and doesn’t move at all you are supposed to get permissions n to use them in competition
Hmm. Good to know. Easy enough to take it off to compete. Wouldn’t have thought of that though!
The “pubis” version with the cut out in front looks perfect for this issue – but, I cannot find anywhere to order that particular one.
I missed this, thank you! Debating now between these and the acavallo seat saver. Excited that there may be hope for my dressage future after all! haha
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I use my thinline seat saver underneath a sheepskin seat saver for trail riding in my 42 year old pancake passier. I find the combination works better than either on its own, for me at least.
Combining the thinline seat saver with pony’s thinline half pad makes a big difference in the ring, but my issue is more in my seatbones than my between-me-down-there 
Sheepskin is still the comfiest as far as squish and temperature regulation (cool in summer, warm in winter, and doesn’t lead to swamp crotch), but it doesn’t much help the bounce, haha!
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I have the acavallo and bought it before they had all this different models…so not sure which one mine is, lol, besides it being for a dressage saddle and not a fabric seat. I really think its the best one.
Acavallo fabric on top one is great. I didn’t know there was anything but fabric top or gel top.
I have the Acavallo Gel Out seat saver and it is wonderful for cushioning but VERY tacky feeling. There’s no way you’ll come off the horse with that thing on! It’s extremely secure in the saddle and never slipped or irritated the leather in any way. However, after a lot of hours in it I did see the tackiness start to disappear a bit, but so did the insides of some of my breeches a little bit since it’s sort of sticky. I spent an extraordinary amount of time in the saddle, though. A fellow boarder borrowed it and got a brown one for her jumping saddle that she trail rides extensively in and LOVES it. Previously she was having extraordinary pain in her saddle.
I will say that the saddle I got it for was a 19" jump saddle that was not built at all for me, and I was riding in dressage lessons in it LOL. Due to the enormous seat size, it was a little bit small for the saddle but I made it work. I would literally get off this 17.1 draft monster and cry because my front lady parts were getting obliterated. I was leasing that horse and that was his saddle at the time. It did not fit him OR me even a little bit and thankfully I was able to get a different saddle that solved the entire problem and said horse goes like a dream in it. I never have lady pain anymore. I would definitely get the saddle fitter out to see if she can help you without compromising the horse’s wellbeing - I’m sure they can. I would also recommend the Acavallo seat saver, although if I got another one I’m not sure if I would get it with the gel out.
Just remember that you can’t use it when you show. So I don’t know whether I’d want the comfort while schooling, or would prefer to grit it out, since I’d have to show without it. Perhaps some sort of padded underwear would be better in the long run?
