Thank you Heidi, and others who sent their great
replies on loin rubbing. Several asked if I could post my replies as they were
interested too. Many were lightweights, even featherweights and had similar loin
rubbing so weight was not the problem (I am between a middle and heavy). To
those of you who *do* actually own sport saddles and have
experience and expertise at endurance riding, my thanks to you for your valuable
replies to newbies in this sport like I am. Without positive support like many
on this list alot of us would be learning things the hard way or from people who
have no business mentoring others.
Most replied that it is typical during the
shedding season to have loin rubbing. Twice a year when shedding winter and
summer coats you can have loin rubbing. The loin rubbing should
disappear after shedding is over. My horse was the "wooly mammoth" this winter
and hair is flying off of him. Some agreed that my bottles in the cantle pack
were probably adding weight to back of saddle which made it rub more. I also got
many suggestions and one nice phone call saying I should use 2 pads during this
time to help with the rubbing.
I asked a friend of mine I ride with and she said
I do not ride crooked. I value her opinion as she is a VERY good rider with
years of formal dressage background. (You cannot beat that formal education!) So
I was relieved to hear that. (Glad to hear my many years of riding lessons have
paid off too!)
Alot use the Torsion treeless which are
shorter for short backed horses. My guy is not short backed but someday I hope
to try out a Torsion to see the difference.
My horse is not sore at all and has *never* been
sore with the sport saddle even with this current loin rubbing. A very
reputatable equine chiropractor that many endurance riders use said the treeless
sport saddle is just about the best thing you can put on a horse.
Its so funny how all us sports saddle people are
always having to defend our choice of saddles. Its probably because they are so
different. Its amazing how many people are now using them and are warming up to
the treeless idea.
I've seen lots of loin rubbing over the past 15 years doing
endurance riding and it almost always seems to be heavy weight riders (not
water bottles) or poor riding. I have several friends that use the
treeless type saddles. Just an observation. I've had very good
luck with Ortho Flex saddles (I've owned 3 now) and never have had loin
rubbing.
