HipSaver / Latex Topper ??

[oldmoss]

Looking for anyone who could advise whether the hips saver or the latex topper (which I seen on the Just Equs website fits the Wintec Isabel perfectly) would help me not feel so stetched when riding Toby ?

I ride him in the Wintec Isabel (XW) which has been converted to Flair and which fits him really really well and also I find it a good saddle and it does put me in a good position - my only problem is I'm still finding him/saddle too wide as I have such narrow hips.

Just wondering if there is anything that I could use on the saddle that might just make it a little easier for me ?   I think old age is creeping up on me and I'm finding myself getting stiff in the hips and struggling more each time I ride.

Any ideas whether the hip saver would work or the latex topper ?  I have read that sometimes the hip saver on a treed saddle makes you feel like you are sitting high up and I don't want to feel like I'm being perched, I like to sit down into the saddle so not sure whether I'd like the feel of the hipsaver ?  Any suggestions - or does anyone local to me have one I could try ? - up in Aberdeenshire - or I'd be happy to pay recorded postage to borrow one.

[winnieandben]

I use my HM seat saver on my Isabel saddle and I think it makes it feel a little narrower.  I do remember reading somewhere that the latex topper for the Vogue fits the Isabel saddle.  Might well be worth a try.

[cirocco]

We seem to have the same problem.. bit poo that eh.

But what is your problem?? Is it the horse or the saddle??

In my case, I knew it was both the pony and the saddle, together they were much too wide for my hips.

Im thinking If you put anything else on the saddle thats already making your hips hurt, its not going to do anything other than lift you higher up is it. Have you tried to see what the saddle is like with something on it, it really doesn't have to be a seat saver or the topper yet, try a folded towel, see if it gives you some relief, it will at least give you the idea of what you can expect from the real thing.

Its a real problem this isn't it, ive never had the problem before 'ever', and so I cant help you. I started from scratch, trying to find a saddle that was as close to bareback as I could, which is near impossible.
We cant be alone can we.

I used the H.M seat saver on my dressage treed saddle for years and found it brilliant, I never felt perched.

[oldmoss]

Cirocco - more than likely it is the horse, as he's XW although deceivingly doesn't look very wide for a cob, but for me he is.

I rode in the Barefoot London for years as it was the only saddle I could use that fitted him as from the age of 4-8years he constantly seemed to change shape!  The reason I changed the Barefoot was because as Toby got more mature and wider it really was unbearable to ride in the Barefoot and the Barefoot also resulted in me using my heels as I could not turn my toes in - and still having this problem at times in the Wintec.

I only find myself stretched and sore when I mount - it's the initial width getting on that I struggle with - I really should do some stretching exercises before mounting.  Once onboard I don't feel pain in my hips but I am not happy that I cannot physically get my lower legs wrapped around him - that is when it becomes painful.   I am a perfectionist when it comes to my position and have weekly lessons with my dressage instructor and I just find it impossible to achieve a wrapped around lower leg, even though my position is not bad and I've worked for years on it.  On a narrower horse I don't have this problem, so I know that it's because I physically cannot stretch around him, so wondered if anything on the saddle would make it easier ??

[Bradders]

I have this problem too - or rather, had - Rolo was XXXW, and I have very narrow hips

I hated riding him in a Barefoot, he had such a huge movement that I felt I was there on a wing and a prayer.

TBH, position was not an issue for us - I had no hope - the only way I could sit comfortably on him was to have my stirrups short! I looked like a Thelwell I tried a seat saver but I then felt too perched on top.

I rode my friend's huge mare in her GP  saddle and her Isabell - and I found her much much wider in the Isabell - I could cope, but it was not as comfy as her GP (both saddles fitted the mare)

Bobby is reasonably wide, but the Vogue is so comfy, I don't notice (and he is not in the same league as Rolo )

Have your tried Heather's irons? - they make it much much easier to wrap your leg around - your leg is not fighting the stirrup leather the whole time - they have made a huge difference for me - if I am able to relax, my feet just naturally fall in the right place It all goes to pot as soon as I trot - but that is for another thread!

Hope you get it sorted - I think the stirrups may be worth a try

[cirocco]

 Im really feeling for you right now, its awful having that pain in your hips.

Perhaps someone will design something that will be comfortable, tree less, made for wide round beasties for ladies with narrow hips of a certain age.

I too am finding the leg position im forced into, wrong for me. I ride very long, always have, and in the London im so uncomfortable.