I've been having problems with my saddles lately. Even after short rides my knees are killing me. If I ride with out stirrups and have my feet/legs in front of where the stirrups hang it doesn't bother me. SO...... does anyone know of a western saddle/type/brand that has the stirrups set further forward?
Posted 2007-10-29 11:30 PM (#70198 - in reply to #70194) Subject: RE: saddles
Expert
Posts: 1871 Location: NY
hconley is right the size of the saddle is too small for you try a friends saddle and you should fill the different and you riding will be different also
Posted 2007-10-30 7:43 AM (#70202 - in reply to #70191) Subject: RE: saddles
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
I started using an aussie saddle several years ago because of horrible knee/hip pain when I rode a few hours... I got some endurance stirrups with half inch pad and found that the free swing fender and those stirrups gave me relief. I also padded my stirrups on my western saddles...
Maybe you have your stirrups too short? You should be able to stand in them with a small gap at the swell and your seat... try that and take advil before you ride. Mine got so bad that I couldn't stand for a few minutes when I dismounted and was practically in tears...( I know, I must be a wus)
Posted 2007-10-30 7:55 AM (#70204 - in reply to #70191) Subject: RE: saddles
Veteran
Posts: 294 Location: Fort Worth, Tx
Might try "stirrup correctors", they turn your stirrups out on an angle so that your legs are straighter. Whenever I ride in a western saddle for an exended period, my knees hurt for days, so I ride in my dressage saddle!
Posted 2007-10-30 1:17 PM (#70225 - in reply to #70202) Subject: RE: saddles
Expert
Posts: 2614
I had the same problem.Debra Racheter of Crestridge Saddles observed me ride in my saddle and said my stirrups were way too short.It took some getting used to because I was used to standing in my stirrups a lot and putting a lot of weight in them (habit from riding as a kid) also,I got a bigger seat and always ride with endurance type stirrups so I no longer have the knee problems.But I still can barely stand up or walk after a few hours in the saddle! Nothing to do with being a wus.Mine is due to: age.
Posted 2007-10-30 7:18 PM (#70236 - in reply to #70191) Subject: RE: saddles
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I know my stirrups aren't to short. I'll try the bigger seat. Maybe it will move my butt back some so my legs aren't "straight down". I'm also going to try the stirrup pads. I had an aussie saddle but my husband stole it from me.
Posted 2007-10-30 8:55 PM (#70241 - in reply to #70236) Subject: RE: saddles
Expert
Posts: 2614
I always found that an Austrailian saddle tended to "throw" me forward to the point where I sat on my pelvic bones all the time and my legs could never swing forward in the stirrups.I know people that have them wouldn't ride in anything else,but,you couldn't give me one of them.
I ride a Tucker Western Cheyenne with a 17" seat now and have the endurance stirrups,and I love mine.On my no wither horse,I have a Crestridge Saddle that fits much the same.
Posted 2007-10-30 9:42 PM (#70244 - in reply to #70241) Subject: RE: saddles
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I always found that an Austrailian saddle tended to "throw" me forward to the point where I sat on my pelvic bones all the time and my legs could never swing forward in the stirrups
Posted 2007-10-31 7:13 AM (#70255 - in reply to #70191) Subject: RE: saddles
Member
Posts: 44 Location: Virginia
I got so sore on my last 3 hour trail ride that I could hardly walk-(knees and hips). Then I went for my first riding lesson in over a decade (only went to work with a horse I had in training) and found out that I was bracing my lower legs/heel way too much! I guess it's from a combination of doing a lot of jumping (on horseback!) in my younger days and now riding horses with a "high flight" instinct on the trail. Funny thing, when I learned to relax some (dropped the stirrups when riding in the ring) the horse relaxed some too! I still get some soreness but it's nowhere near as bad as it was.
Posted 2007-10-31 7:53 AM (#70256 - in reply to #70191) Subject: RE: saddles
Regular
Posts: 91 Location: Hill Country, Texas
we just back from a week in mexico, rancho las cascadas.....was a 5 star, perfect riding vacation. i have had 2 spinal fusions, the last one 8 months ago and just started riding again. much as i hate to admit it, the awful mexican saddle that i rode all week did not hurt my back! it really put my pelvis/back in correct position...for me anyway. my hubby is threatening to buy me one!
Posted 2007-10-31 8:49 AM (#70259 - in reply to #70244) Subject: RE: saddles
Expert
Posts: 2614
Thanks,but,this one wasn't a "cheap" one.Cheap or expensive,any Australian saddle that I PERSONALLY have sat in has caused me to sit straight up and down in it.It probably wouldn't do you that way,but they've all "sat" that way for me,and I don't like them.
Posted 2007-11-02 11:54 PM (#70417 - in reply to #70191) Subject: RE: saddles
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
You might want to also try endurance stirrups with the soft padding. Been using them for the past 3 months after years of my trail buddy trying to get me use them (I'm an old cowgirl and was resistant to change!). Been asking myself why the heck hadn't I tried them sooner.
Posted 2007-11-03 11:57 PM (#70451 - in reply to #70439) Subject: RE: saddles
Expert
Posts: 2614
Tucker Saddles have the ones that go with their saddles,and I think a few of the major supply catalogs probably have other versions that are similar and cheaper,too.
Posted 2007-11-04 6:10 PM (#70468 - in reply to #70457) Subject: RE: saddles
Expert
Posts: 2614
Also might look at Crest Ridge Saddlery's website,they have leather covered endurance stirrups in black,mahogany and brown.I have a pair of these also,and they are just as good as the Tucker ones which are all aluminum.
PS
Hers are $70 for the leather covered,and Tucker's are $115.50
Posted 2007-11-04 6:54 PM (#70470 - in reply to #70191) Subject: RE: saddles
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
Country supply has Endurance stirrups for $20.00. I have been using these for 3 years now with no problem. I also have knee problems and went from an western endurance to a western Australian. My horse was getting older and the saddle started bridging so I borrowed the Australian. It fit fine but had western fenders that turned and hurt my knee. I switched them out for cordura fenders and have had no knee problem from riding since. If the Australian saddle is too small it will throw you forward and set you on your pelvis. I have almost 2 inches (hand width between inner thigh and "Mickey Mouse ear") and have a good line for balance.
Posted 2007-11-04 7:28 PM (#70473 - in reply to #70191) Subject: RE: saddles
Veteran
Posts: 207 Location: Illinois
I also like my Tucker Cheyenne. Mine is a 16.5, so I think that's a 16. I use those big endurance stirrups too. I have a severe form of ostioarthritis (sp?), that causes terrible pain in my knees, feet, hands and lower back (pretty much all my joints!), I had joint replacement surgery at age 36.
I first tried the endurance stirrups from Country Supply, those are HEAVY! I then bought the powder coated aluminum ones from PARDS, I think they're Tucker brand. More expensive than the Country Supply, but worth it.
So, yes those stirrups and saddle keep me happy and riding all day! We only rode 3 hours today, but what a nice day to ride!
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