Ortho-Flex Saddles - System 3

[LTBeason@aol.com]

<< On 04/20/99, Truman Prevatt <truman.prevatt@netsrq.com> wrote:
Loin rubbing is interesting.  I had it on one of horses with a custom made
saddle that fit very well.  I changed out the pad I was using (from felt to 
wool) and it went away.  I know of it happening with a Zes saddle and of 
course it can happen with an OF.  The root cause is friction on the skin 
and the solution is to find out what is causing the friction and get rid of 
it.

There will be movement in the loin area that if unchecked will produce 
friction on the loin area.  No saddle moves with the loin.  Traditionally pads
put between the saddle and the back allowed the saddle to rub the top of
the pad and the pad would absorb the friction.  If the pad was the wrong
material then there could be friction between the bottom of the pad and the
skin.  This was what happened to me.  Also a very energetic walk ( the mare
has an honest to goodness 6 mph walk) seems to make this situtation more 
problematic.

Now afix the pad to the saddle as an intergal unit, e.g., the OF and the Zes,
and the paddle and pad cannot work independently.  Make the pad out of 
fleese and it makes the problem worse.

I fixed my "OF rubbing" by putting a wool pad under the saddle and keeping
the pad clean.

Truman  >>

Truman, please excuse the "me too" but this has been my experience as well.
I ride an OF Heavyweight Express.  Loin rubbing was a problem with this
model (Express or Express Lite).  Several people that I know rode the Express
and had problems with rubbing, to the point of hair loss.  Usually this was 
from
a side to side motion of the saddle across the loin area.  Thes folks were 
riding with booties only, no pads.  I have never had any troubles with 
rubbing, 
but I also ignored the OF 'recommendation' of just riding with booties only.
I have a couple of fleece pads that are fleece on the bottom and a slick, 
felt like
material on top.  The saddle slides a little on the pad, the pad stays put on 
the
trusty steed, and everyone is happy.

Reg.,

Lem Beason


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