Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I've been flipping back and forth between the two saddles that I own since 
I can't afford a new saddle.

My English saddle (a wintec dressage 500 that I love) made my mares withers 
sore after 2 days at 35 miles at a NATRC ride I'm not giving up on it, 
thinking that moving it back and getting a wider gullet might be the 
answer, but for the moment, I'm focusing on my western saddle.

I took my western saddle into the shop and had new leathers put on it and 
had the fenders shortened.  They also worked on training it a bit b/c I 
have knee pain when I ride in it, probably from trying to turn the fenders. 
The saddle guy told me that it needed lots and lots of oil and saddle soap, 
so I came right home and got on it.

I bought a new pad to raise up the front b/c it's a little too wide in the 
gullet but seems to fit through the rocker and in the back.  It doesn't 
really fit my horse, but she's never been sore in it, so I figure I'll play 
with it awhile.

the real issue is how sore it makes me.  When I ride in it, I find that I 
fight my position constantly. I bump into the horn I get sore legs, back, 
etc. The horse moves out fine, and she's happy, but I have all kinds of 
trouble.

Aside from balance, which I have to find myself, what can you do to make a 
western saddle more comfortable? I have a seat saver, but it's still 
hard...I'm really open to suggestions. Thanks!


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