I am sure this is pure ignorance on my part, but I am struggling with the placement of velcro thigh blocks on my saddle (Sommer). I have short femurs, and bought short thigh blocks for the saddle hoping they would be more comfortable, but I can’t seem to get them right and am fighting them to maintain my position. I’ve tried up, down, right at the edge of the flap but I am always aware of them, they are’nt comfortable. What is the ideal “sweet spot”?
I should probably just take them off, but the flap has sort of molded around them and looks strange.
Is it possible that the saddle doesn’t fit you in other areas - like the twist or the placement of the stirrup bars? If that is the case you may never be able to get the blocks situated in a comfortable place. I learned this from my Wintec with velcro blocks!
2 Likes
I would assume that if you’re not able to place them in a good spot it’s because some other aspect of that saddle doesn’t fit your seat or leg.
For example, even though most people don’t ride in a forward flap dressage saddle, Edward Gal rides in a forward flap because his femur is that long. There is nowhere that he could put thigh blocks on a straight flap saddle that would work.
1 Like
Agreed with above, but also, they may not be right for you. I have been riding many decades with very little in the way of a block. I see everyone has them, so it must make people a better rider, right? I found a great deal on a saddle with great big thigh blocks that fit fine. It took me awhile to figure it out, but, no, they did not help make me better, but in fact made it worse. How do you feel without them?
3 Likes
Are the blocks themselves a good size/shape for you? I have found by trial and error that only some thigh block shapes work for me. For example, as a short rider with a long femur proportion, I really hate riding in saddles with long blocks, and I tend to prefer low-angle wedge shapes to more bubble-like, higher profile blocks.
If you feel restricted or are pressed against them even with short blocks placed high, though, I’d start to wonder about other aspects of how the saddle fits your body.
I agree with GramV. Thigh blocks aren’t for everyone. I have a hard time explaining to my non-horse friends why you can’t just keep the same saddle every time you get a new horse and then you have to spend weeks and weeks finding a saddle that works for you both.
Big huge thigh blocks are a relatively new thing in dressage saddles. (I say relatively, because I can remember shopping for dressage saddles 40 years ago, when there was no thigh block!) Look at some older, used saddles. They had fairly flat flaps. Some riders prefer this and sit more correctly and more comfortably in that type. Since your blocks are attached with velcro, have you tried riding without them at all? Some others have suggested that the saddle my not fit you in other areas, which is possible, but you may just be one who doesn’t need a thigh block. Good luck.
1 Like
They may be too thick. Maybe look at a company that carried different size and style though blocks and some new ones. I had a similar issue with mine. I considered ordering different ones but when I removed them and rode ok without any blocks I just never bothered ordering new ones. The flap on my saddle also flattened back out some from not having a block there.
2 Likes
Can you put the blocks high enough that they are above your knees? You knees shouldn’t feel the blocks. Some longer/bigger blocks have a « space » molded in for the knees.
Put the blocks as high up as you can, even if it pushes a little in between the flaps. Mine (straight 1/4 blocks) are close to the nail, under the short flap.
Are you putting them on correctly? The bigger part up and smaller part down? (shape of a water drop)
Is there a left and right one?
You need to place them so the block follows your thigh when you are sitting neutral in your saddle. You shouldn’t feel them much. That’s the sweet spot.
I suggest you remove them, get on the saddle, drop your legs in your regular position, stirrups off, and you (or someone else) put the blocks on.
Sommer saddles calls for a longer leg with those blocks. If what you feel is your leg either coming up or unable to « lengthen », you will need to work on your position.
but I can’t seem to get them right and am fighting them to maintain my position. I’ve tried up, down, right at the edge of the flap but I am always aware of them.
Does the saddle fit you without the blocks?
Do you fight your position even then?
Is the saddle sitting properly on your horse’s back?
Are you sitting at the right place in your saddle? I know Sommer has some of its saddle in a more forward seat… maybe you are sitting too far back and not sitting enough with your knees under you/straighter thigh?
Are your stirrup leathers long enough?
Lots of questions to be answered!
Post pictures if you want. Or send them in private.
Maybe we could help.
1 Like
I would take them off and see how you feel without them. Are you balanced and secure? If not thigh blocks won’t help.
Thank you everyone- my saddle was widened very slightly and reflocked to accomodate my round mare in June, and I think I am riding perhaps in a bit of a chair seat. Fitter is coming this weekend to address these issues.
I have had this saddle about 5 years, adjusted 3-4 times to due to mare’s changing shape and musculature. She is an Arab cross, round with a big shoulder and short back, and this is the best fit for her I have found. Don’t ask how many saddles we have had, I don’t want to think about it! I find it comfortable, don’t feel I am fighting for my position generally but I am a tense rider and do have trouble “draping” my leg.
I have short tear drop blocks and longer tear drop ones. I do have them positioned the right way, that is pointy end down, and have placed them as far up as I can. I rode today without either and felt better, but the saddle looks strange without them. I’ll see how it goes after the fitter has been, I thought perhaps I could find some really skinny ones.
If it feels better without them then ride that way. Fixing a chair seat is a different problem. Thigh blocks won’t fix it. If you ride in all saddles this way you need seat lessons. If it’s just this saddle because the seat or bars are wrong for you, you need another saddle.
Meh. Who cares how it looks if that is truly what works best for you. If it’s not damaging anything and you ride better sans blocks, then go without them.
3 Likes
@demidq If it puts you in a chair seat, the saddle is mot well balanced on your horse’s back or the saddle is too big for you.
Chair seat position and tight blocks aren’t compatible because you won’t be able to align the block along your tight.
When the fitter is there, and after the flocking is redone, try the saddle on the spot and see if it fits. Have the fitter help you with the blocks
Thanks all. The fitter has his clients ride right after any adjustments, and is excellent at tweaking things till they are “just right”. The chair seat feel is new, VERY slight, and I am sure can be corrected. Saddle is definitely not too big, I think the balance is off a smidge. I will also discuss +/- any blocks with him. I am thinking I may have him make me a tiny pencil roll
One thing you could try is to put a keeper (or some other thing) on the stirrup bar to bring the leather back toward the tail, slightly. This will change your seat, but it might be what you need. Stirrup bars that are too forward will put you into a chair seat and against the blocks.
I stole some of my dad’s calf castration bands for just this purpose, and they work amazingly well! The fun part was explaining what they were to non-farm savvy people…
You can get them in packs of roughly a jillion for $5 or so at TSC, Rural King, etc.
1 Like
Great idea, Wicky and Sinmiedo! Fitter was out today and refliocked saddle, much better. I feel much more centred, alignment better. He is making me some narrow blocks as well. Mare feels more comfortable, I don’t feel I am fighting to keep my position. 
2 Likes
