ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] Rider's Sores & Rubs

Re: [endurance] Rider's Sores & Rubs

Monika & Don Smith (smithpr@cadvision.com)
Wed, 10 Apr 1996 16:25:09 -0600

>New Subject!
>
>I see an awful lot of rubs & sores & scars on the insides of riders' knees &
>on their shins (especially when I see everyone walking around in shorts at the
>riders' meetings). Would anyone like to share their secrets on what
>works best to prevent this?
>
Hi Linda, the worst experience I ever had was with jeans, especially if I
got sweaty. A really broken down pair of jeans with chaps would work ok,
but the seams were always a problem. I started wearing english breeks (just
great!) and have started to wear riding tights (I'm not hard to fit) so
everything has worked well from that end. I've disliked wearing pantyhose
because of the heat retension and sweating. I usually train in sweat pants
with no problem except occasionally the legs of the pants ride up. To
compensate the look of riding tights on a non-model body type, I wear a
very loose and very long T-shirt!

Good luck, there nothing worse than those chaffed inside the knees area.
Mine hurt, they 'wept' and occasionally bled. No bandage or ointment helped
and I was never able to get caluses there, nor was I able to get used to
it. So riding tights, sweat pants is it. I never, never wear jeans. Of all
the pain-associated riding activities, chaffing is one that I can't forget.

The softer the material, the less problem I have. I'm currently trying out
a set of 'endurance' saddle bums to see if they pass that acid test. Always
fashion conscious (just kidding), my less than perfect body does nothing to
enhance a pair of tights so I wear a large Tshirt or jacket, etc., that
covers my tush.

Good luck. I did encounter an 'cure' as a hiker. The second you feel even a
tingle on your foot, quickly put moleskin on. It's worked for me! And I
carry it all the time. Perhaps it might help to put moleskin on the tender
areas before riding, I know hikers that have done that and then start
looking for a new pair of boots that won't cause the problem.

I have a theory that you Yankies got such cold-blooded, nasty outlaws
because they wore jeans when riding. Having majorly chaffed tender parts
would not have contributed to a positive and joyful outlook!

Thanks for Sharing!
Monika Smith and Koko

>I had found a brand of fashion tights when they were in style several
>years ago that fit & don't rub me, but they are wearing out. The
>company doesn't make them anymore. What works? Any favorite brands?
> Do they come in XL??? :<(
>
>My husband doesn't want to wear tights (they "look" funny) - he has used
>riding jeans (Miller's) with pantyhose underneath. This works (kind of -
>rubs now instead of open sores), but it's very hot.
>
>We are using 1/2 chaps (gaiters, etc.) on our lower legs to prevent
>bruising & rubbing from stirrups leathers. I'm using 2 1/2"
>leathers, so not too big a problem. My husband's leathers are
>standard english (?1"?) so he has some pressure across his shins w/o
>the 1/2 chaps. Smooth leather 1/2 chaps have worked best for us -
>they are easy to clean. (It's hard to clean sweat, mud, etc. off of
>suede.)
>
>Hope somebody has found some answers! Meanwhile, I think I'll buy
>stock in Bandaids & Advil.
>
>Linda Flemmer
>Blue Wolf Equestrian Supplies/ Blue Wolf Ranch
>Chesapeake, VA
>
> "In case of emergency - Fur side up, steel side down!"