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[RC] [RC] Sport Saddles and soreness - Deanna German

Jena wrote:

I am open to suggestions as to why this may be making him sore in the loins. I
really stay off his back and in a 2 point or half seat alot. Our rides range
from 2-10 miles.


When I used to use a Sports Saddle on my (then) green mare, it would make
her sore in the loins for a few reasons:

? her conformation makes her tend towards being weak in that area
? the scrubbing motion of the saddle over the loin -- related to how the
girth is attached but also related to her conformation since she is leggy
and reaches way under herself with the hinds

But the most important thing I think in my mare's case was that, since she
was greeen (still in training), she lacked the muscling to carry herself
properly and that saddle with me in it was not helping. With that saddle, I
couldn't get a leg on her to help her.

Also, the rider's weight and balance and the size of the horse's torso make
a huge difference with that saddle. I think it works best for short,
lightweight riders with low centers of gravity. I'm on the tall side of
average and a middleweight. My stirrups are at belly level or slightly
below.

I don't think you should try and break the cantle tree -- you might just
create other problems like pinching. Investigate a center rigging set-up to
try and prevent the scrubbing motion if it looks like that's the problem.
And/or spray some show sheen in that area. Both are solutions that won't
compromise resale value!

I didn't pursue too many options in trying to solve my mare's loin issues
with that particular saddle because I had issues with the saddle myself (the
inability to get a leg on the horse plus it killed my hips); instead I found
a saddle that solved both my horse's problems and mine -- an OF endurance
cutback. Ironically, I feel in closer contact with my horse in the OF than
the SS, probably because the saddle isn't hindering me. What's works for one
person/horse won't work for all.

The SS is a well-made saddle, is a good value and is definitely worth a try
for the hard to fit horse. And the person to whom I sold my saddle is
thrilled with it.

Take care!

Deanna


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