Saddles and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

[BalancingAct]

I am in the market for a new saddle for my new horse (18h and uphill). I have two Butet Premiums (one buffalo and one calfskin) that I really like. However, I suffer from severe pelvic floor dysfunction and my muscles are essentially so tight they’re frozen. I do pilates 5x weekly and see a PT once per week. So trust me when I say I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be well enough to continue riding.

Are there any ladies here who have a similar condition that can suggest a more comfortable saddle?

[TheDBYC]

I’m a yoga & fitness professional & started working with rider biomechanics/somatic level alignment while working through a significant chronic illness. I don’t have firsthand experience with that type of pelvic disfunction but have SI issues & I thiiiink I know what you mean about the saddle. I may be able to help you narrow things down or at least suggest things that you could run by the PT if necessary. Feel free to PM me.

[Jackie_Cochran]

Would you be able to handle riding in a side saddle?

The rider needs perfect balance or the horse will quickly get a sore back, as in open sores, or so I’ve read in many books.

When I learned I had MS the side-saddle was my first thought until I remembered about the absolute necessity of perfect balance. I certainly would have been more secure on horseback and not have needed as much energy to just walk around on the horse. Hey, I even might have felt secure enough to go over extremely low jumps.

[sheltona01]

Your best bet would have a fitter out with multiple brands to figure out what works best for you.

[ilovetheadd27]

I am so sorry, I have struggled with pelvic floor issues after both of my kiddos were born and I know how debilitating and frustrating it is, and how much it affects your riding. I have two main saddles that I ride in, a Devocoux Biarritz and a Circuit. Both have narrower twists which I think helps. I don’t have any other recommendations but extend all kinds of empathy, I hope you can find something that works!

[onlyTBmares]

Have you sat in a CWD? I’m not sure exactly what would help your situation but they are sooo squishy and padded that its a fault to many. I think they make an option with a very narrow twist? But I definitly agree with another poster that there is probably no substitute for getting a good saddle fitter and trying a bunch. Good luck!

[Moneypitt]

Have you tried riding in a saddle a full size larger? That maybe very helpful. It may feel odd at first. Perhaps your Butet representative has a saddle you can try for a week or so?

[BalancingAct]

Thats what I’m leaning towards…the 2GS Hunter Mademoiselle seems like an option based on the length of my femur and small pelvis. Does anyone have any positive reviews of this particular saddle?

Or, perhaps another Butet in a larger size with a different flap. Truthfully, my new horse is so large that any standard over-the-counter girth just wont fit him. I’ve purchased 4 girths in 58" that simply don’t even come close. So, I’ll add that to the list of things that need to be custom made.

I finally have the horse of my dreams and feel very frustrated with myself. Hopefully, this is a step in the right direction.

Has anyone here had any luck with biomechanics riding coaches?

[BalancingAct]

Yes, will do! Thank you

[BalancingAct]

Thank you! Did you have any luck with PT? I often wonder if it will actually make a difference.

My physical therapist and doctors all agreed that it was a miracle that I was able to safely deliver my daughter. My muscles are just so incredibly frozen that I had no idea what “push” was.

I’m fortunate to have horses that can also drive if riding just becomes unbearable. I just hope that it is a VERY long time before it comes to that.

[ilovetheadd27]

Pelvic floor PT did work for me! It took about 1.5 years after my first to really feel comfortable in the saddle again, even riding multiple horses 3-4x a week. I am 11 weeks pp with my second, and have had a significantly easier time this time thank goodness. PT did take time and I saw very slow and steady progress, which was frustrating in the short term but did work in the long term. I hope it works for you as well!

[Against_All_Odds2]

I’d test drive and push for the full 30 day trial of a regular mademoiselle, madem hunter and SE03. I have owned and ridden in a bunch and they are all fantastic balance for the rider post baby but really ride different depending in the horse. Currently lovely the SE03 for my QH

[BalancingAct]

I’ve only been going weekly for about six-months. Although I feel discouraged I will continue going because something HAS to change. I will say that the communication between my pilates instructor and PT has been phenomenal. So, there is a clear plan in place but I just feel so impatient.

It is such a shame that so little is known about pelvic floor dysfunction and so much about erectile dysfunction disorder

[BalancingAct]

I definitely will do that. I’ve contacted the regional rep and begged her to come see me after this awful polar vortex leaves Texas.

Is your QH built like a typical stock horse? My new guy (Appendix) is a hair under 18h with large withers and just freakishly massive. He wears an 87" blanket and a 62" girth. I need a crane to get on!!

[Against_All_Odds2]

He’s built more like an appendix. I’ll see if I can find a good photo

[Against_All_Odds2]

[BalancingAct]

Thank you for sharing! Your guy is lovely and is built very similarly to mine. I feel like the CWD might be a really good option at this point.

I’ve already spent a small fortune on Thinline pads with shims, riser pads, etc. for my new boy. The Butet just sort of teeter totters on him.

I, sadly, haven’t had much time with him because the day he arrived my mother passed away from COVID.

[Against_All_Odds2]

So sorry to hear!

That butet look either too narrow or too curvy.

FWIW my Se03 is a 2013 I believe. They changed the trees in 2019 so I’d look at used for sure.

[BalancingAct]

Here’s his head. I couldn’t manage a full-body photo that day.

[BalancingAct]

That particular one is a 2019. I do own a 2013 that seems to fit him a tad better but not great.

I think I’ve ridden him 5x total with everything going on. He needed his hocks done, Chiro, ulcer treatment, etc. Hopefully, after this nasty winter storm leaves we can have the saddle fitter come out. I desperately don’t want either of us in pain.