Problems with saddle slipperiness- suggestions for something more grippy? Or can I fix my current saddle?

[Fiona_785]

Hi everyone, I’m having a problem with feeling insecure in my new saddle. I got a Dover Special Eq from Dover super cheap and I’m wondering if there is any hope for the leather becoming more grippy as I break it in? Or should I just return it as it’s likely hopeless? I bought it because people said good things about it and compared it to feeling like the Butet but I’m now falling out of love with this saddle very quickly.

I had a few years off riding and I’m coming back into it on a TB who is also coming back from a year off from an injury. He’s not proven to be spooky so far but I still feel like I’m on a Slip-and-Slide which I don’t think can entirely be just due to my lack of fitness. I’m between horses at the moment so I don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a saddle that could end up not even fitting the horse I eventually buy. I had an Antares that I just sold (and I’m kicking myself now) so I know comparing buffalo skin to Dover’s saddles is difficult but I feel like I should at least be able to feel somewhat secure in my seat when I ride! This saddle is causing me to brace, and grip, and tip forward and do all sorts of weird things because its SO slippery.

Anyway, I’m looking for any suggestions for a rider like me just coming back into riding and looking for something with more grip/security? Or is there anything I can do to make my saddle more normal? Should I oil it? I don’t know, maybe I need to try a different pair of pants but I really don’t feel like being limited in what I can ride in is ideal… I’m open to Dover saddles because there are two stores in my area so I could sit in them but I’ll hear anything. I prefer a higher-end saddle so I could consider those too even though I will have to spend more.

EDIT: These Pessoas are always on sale and they boast “extra grippy leather”… anyone ever ride on one? http://www.doversaddlery.com/pessoa-gen-x-prestige-xch/p/Z1-USED083B/

TIA!

[keysfins]

How about applying a conditioner like Lederbalsam? That makes my dressage saddles grippy, and is good for the leather, too.

[222orchids]

A good coat of Effax Ledebalsam. Let it soak in overnight and then ride. My saddle is calf to start with, which is decent leather but this really does make it feel even better.

[beau159]

Also wondering what kind of breeches you are wearing?

I don’t use anything fancy (and ride Western more than I ride English) but one time when it was chilly out, I opted to just ride in my sweatpants … bad idea! I was slipping all over the place! I learned that breeches definately serve their purpose.

If it matters, I have a Tad Coffin jumping saddle.

But along with the leather tips, I wonder if trying some different breeches would help you?

[Saskatoonian]

Unless you’ve tried oiling / conditioning it, don’t give up yet. Dry leather is crazy slick. And some breeches (anyone else remember nylon back in the day?) will polish it til your butt is skating. If it makes you feel better, my Butet is a skating rink at the moment because it needs some conditioner. If it’ s not calf, I just use olive oil; if it is calf, Belharra or Akene is good.

[Training_Cupid]

There are products designed specifically to make your saddle stickier. I haven’t tried any myself but have a friend who said it was helpful when her saddle was new. Here is one, but there are many other brands too
www.smartpakequine.com/mobile/pt/6196#Reviews

[Jackie_Cochran]

After the Sit Tight spray caused my skin to break out horribly I ended up using the old-fashioned Fiebing’s saddle soap in the tin (NOT glycerine saddle soap), just rubbing a dry rag to get the saddle soap on it and I massaged it into the saddle seat and flaps (no water!). That helped a LITTLE BIT.

What really, really, really helped me was silicon full seat riding tights (Kerrits.) Now I do not slip around in the saddle at all, which is a big relief to me since I have absolutely horrible balance (Multiple sclerosis.) Since I got my silicon full seats I do not have to put anything on the saddle to make the leather stickier.

The modern stretch fabric used in riding tights and breeches is SUPER SLIPPERY and caused me horrible problems in the saddle. Now, with my silicon full seat riding tights, my riding teacher hardly ever yells at me about my position in the saddle. I am so impressed with the silicon full seat riding tights that I gave my riding teacher my FITS deerskin full seat breeches since they are MUCH more slippery in the saddle than the silicon full seat tights.

[Fiona_785]

@keysfins

How about applying a conditioner like Lederbalsam? That makes my dressage saddles grippy, and is good for the leather, too.

I will try that tomorrow! I have a tub of it lying around. Fingers crossed.

[Fiona_785]

@KittyinAus

What kind of breeches are you wearing? Is there anything grippy on them such as silicon?

Found some on a website. That’s not an endorsement but to show you what I mean.

I have both Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunters and Kerrits tights that I ride in. Nothing really grippy, they’re just normal pants but I haven’t had this issue in other saddles.

[Fiona_785]

@beau159

Also wondering what kind of breeches you are wearing?

I don’t use anything fancy (and ride Western more than I ride English) but one time when it was chilly out, I opted to just ride in my sweatpants … bad idea! I was slipping all over the place! I learned that breeches definately serve their purpose.

If it matters, I have a Tad Coffin jumping saddle.

But along with the leather tips, I wonder if trying some different breeches would help you?

Ooo Tad Coffins can be slippery too actually… I do remember a rather scary ride on one before, haha. I usually ride in my TS Trophy Hunters or Kerrits tights.

I’m going to apply Lederbalsam since two people suggested that. If that doesn’t work the saddle is going back. I don’t need any extra madness in my life, LOL. I need to stack the odds in my own favor!

[CHT]

The saddle will get grippier as it breaks in and the leather is conditioned. Can you lend it out to have other people help break it in for you? Less expensive saddles do tend to need a bit more break in time.

[Fiona_785]

@Jackie Cochran

After the Sit Tight spray caused my skin to break out horribly I ended up using the old-fashioned Fiebing’s saddle soap in the tin (NOT glycerine saddle soap), just rubbing a dry rag to get the saddle soap on it and I massaged it into the saddle seat and flaps (no water!). That helped a LITTLE BIT.

What really, really, really helped me was silicon full seat riding tights (Kerrits.) Now I do not slip around in the saddle at all, which is a big relief to me since I have absolutely horrible balance (Multiple sclerosis.) Since I got my silicon full seats I do not have to put anything on the saddle to make the leather stickier.

The modern stretch fabric used in riding tights and breeches is SUPER SLIPPERY and caused me horrible problems in the saddle. Now, with my silicon full seat riding tights, my riding teacher hardly ever yells at me about my position in the saddle. I am so impressed with the silicon full seat riding tights that I gave my riding teacher my FITS deerskin full seat breeches since they are MUCH more slippery in the saddle than the silicon full seat tights.

I’ve been meaning to try those types of pants. I just have SO many pairs of regular pants that I feel like I’m wasting them or something. Only thing else that backed me off on those is that they’re not allowed in shows so I didn’t want to be in a place where I was super unstable at shows because I rode in full-seats all the time at home. Not that I’m even actively showing but… I have dreams

One more question: do you feel the seams in those pants? I’ve tried a couple pairs of them on and the seam felt absolutely ridiculous on my rear end. But those were a bit thicker maybe… still, I don’t know how anyone could function riding in them. I could barely stand to walk!

[173north]

Lederbalsam has a new version that adds even more grip. My store carries it, I’m not sure who else in the US does. Effax also has a good grip stick that looks like a tiny deodorant that you just paint on. I’m not wild about sticky spray as it can really gunk up your saddle and wears down your boots, but some people love it.

I would just slather the saddle in Lederbalsam and ride in it as much as you can. An inexpensive saddle is going to take more break-in time and never be as grippy as some high-end leathers, but it will improve with time.

Also - are you positive the saddle fits you correctly? A saddle that isn’t right for you is going to throw you all over the place no matter how grippy the leather is, especially if you aren’t super fit.

[Fiona_785]

@173north

Lederbalsam has a new version that adds even more grip. My store carries it, I’m not sure who else in the US does. Effax also has a good grip stick that looks like a tiny deodorant that you just paint on. I’m not wild about sticky spray as it can really gunk up your saddle and wears down your boots, but some people love it.

I would just slather the saddle in Lederbalsam and ride in it as much as you can. An inexpensive saddle is going to take more break-in time and never be as grippy as some high-end leathers, but it will improve with time.

Also - are you positive the saddle fits you correctly? A saddle that isn’t right for you is going to throw you all over the place no matter how grippy the leather is, especially if you aren’t super fit.

I’m not sure if it fits so that is another thing. Maybe it just isn’t right for me. I don’t really know how to tell, but the stirrup bars are in the right spot for my leg. I was wondering if it was too narrow for me which made me have to pinch with my knees and calf.

[HP_sblueskyenterprise]

This stuff is da bomb! Used religiously at shows and when riding spooky horses, I see it was mentioned above but I’d really recommend it
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/sporty-sittite-spray-6196
Also good conditioner like Voltaire or Higher-Standards will work wonders!

[Jackie_Cochran]

@Fiona_785

I’ve been meaning to try those types of pants. I just have SO many pairs of regular pants that I feel like I’m wasting them or something. Only thing else that backed me off on those is that they’re not allowed in shows so I didn’t want to be in a place where I was super unstable at shows because I rode in full-seats all the time at home. Not that I’m even actively showing but… I have dreams

One more question: do you feel the seams in those pants? I’ve tried a couple pairs of them on and the seam felt absolutely ridiculous on my rear end. But those were a bit thicker maybe… still, I don’t know how anyone could function riding in them. I could barely stand to walk!

Hi Fiona,

The Kerrits Icefil tight has a silicon full seat. The silicon full seat is not on a separate piece of fabric added on to the tight, the Kerrits Stick is part of the tight’s fabric. The only seam is on the front, toward the inside of the leg, and I have yet to get any rubs from this seam. In fact I had to look for the seam because I never feel it riding.

The Kerrits Therminator breeches also have a silicon full seat. The silicon is again part of the fabric of the breeches, but there is a seam in the front and on the rear of the silicon full seat fabric. I have not ridden in these breeches yet, it has been VERY warm lately! I do not think the seams will bother me though since the seams are not thick at all.

I HATE the way that the regular types of full seats feel on my, just like wearing a diaper, so I never bought any! I did not have the feeling of wearing a diaper with the FITS deerskin full seat breeches with the segmented full seat, and the seams did not bother me. I would still use the FITS full seat breeches but they are significantly more slippery than the Kerrits silicon full seats so I gave them to my riding teacher so I would not be tempted to wear them again.

[HunterRider84]

Don’t give up. I have a Dover Premier and the leather is like butter and super sticky when I use lederbalsm on it. I use murphy’s oil soap to clean and then lederbalsm to soften. Good Luck!

[Fiona_785]

Thanks everyone for the advice! I’m actually returning the saddle because other than causing strange back-pains about 30 minutes into my riding, the saddle’s slipperiness caused the inevitable yesterday and I ended up behind it during a mild spook :lol::lol:

I just don’t think it’s right for me so it’s going back and I’m waiting for my new one to arrive