dressage legal??

[cirocco]

Black leather coat from Oxfam, £1.  memory foam ex pillow, free...
webbing and clips £4

My fingers are shredded.... Ive decided to use an old numnah as a  backing because I didn't get enough leather off the coat, too many little panels. But ive to sew it by hand because the old sewing machine wont do the thickness.

Its looking ok, but I think I want a proper one for anything other than just messing about..

[oldmoss]

Wow I envy your talents !  I am useless at stuff like that 

Sorry to jump on your post but do you think the HM seat/hip saver thingy would work on my saddle?  I ride in the Wintec Isabel which is in the Extra Wide gullet.  I love the saddle and by far the best fitting on my cob but I still have problems as he's too wide, just wondering if the seat/hip saver or if anything else would possibly help ??  Any suggestions/ideas ?

[Flin]

Cirocco - I have images of you making the seatsaver like they used to make things on Blue Peter using double sided sticky tape for speed!!!  Haha! Hope it works.

The hip saver on ebay is still there but has now exceeded the Buy It Now Price it was orginally put up for! lol!  Think ebayer just enjoy the thrill of the bidding!

Oldmoss - There is a hipsaver that has been designed for treed saddles and they are in the shop on here. I am sure it would fit but maybe Heather or someone who actually has one can confirm it will work.

[cirocco]

Ive not had chance to try out my invention because its not finished, but ive changed the fitting straps on the HM seat saver so that I can attach it to the London. It looks ok and im going to try it tomorrow. Unlike the hip saver its not quite wide enough to fit the London, it could do with being an inch or two wider so that it covers the stirrup bars, Im sure that these will dig in my legs?? Which is where the Hip saver would be better.

On the London, the hard rear 'cup' that ancloses your behind, extends forward to be behind the legs, stopping them from hanging down, it restricts at a point which is unnatural, that is why the hips are effected.
I ride quite long, and its this that is the real problem. If I pull up my stirrups and ride with a more bent knee, as if on a GP saddle, its not so bad.
I want to ride with a long leg, but I am restricted from riding like this by the width of the hard 'cup' seat.

Oldmoss I would say that if your having the same problem as me, go for the HM hip saver.
Im only making my own because I want to see if the idea works before I buy anything else.

[cirocco]

Ok update on modifications to blasted saddle.
With H.M seatsaver


Turned the stirrup leathers [ nylon webbing sort ] upside down so the buckle was at the bottom, chopped off several inches and attached 2 velcro sleeves [made by using 2 inches of wide x reversed] to each leather.
Thus along with the H.M seat saver in place I have been able to drop the leathers 4 holes!.... So the London topper that was on the saddle raised my legs by 4 holes!...
I have to say the saddle was fine to ride in, no hip pain and no other niggles.


BUT I still feel that im not in control trotting. I ride VERY long, and ditto other observation on oldmosses topic...I hate where my legs are and hate the non feeling of them gainst the pony.  BOOOO.

Should have gone to a show yesterday, but I just couldn't face it. I lay in bed at 7am and thought 'no' there was no way I could have gone and felt comfortable in the saddle.

My trainer is on holiday so when she comes back next week im going to re think the saddle job.