Hi,I am taking a trip to the Black Hill this year and will be in the saddle more hours than I'm used to, so I want to invest in a comfy cushion and would like some feed back on what type is the best choice. I was thinking of getting a gel cushion but have read that they are hot. I have see a gel pad that had a fleece type covering on it. Opinions?ThanksJoan
Posted 2010-06-30 10:36 PM (#121774 - in reply to #121773) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
I like the merino wool pads, altho in June I rode 10 hours one way in a slick seat saddle and was not sore in any way........proper stirrup length and a saddle that fits you will sure help...
Posted 2010-06-30 11:00 PM (#121776 - in reply to #121774) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
I second the merino wool seat pad. Cool in summer and warm in winter. Just keep in mind that any seat saver/cushion will make the saddle seat area smaller. Meaning that if you ride in a 16" seat adding a cushion could reduce the seat size to 15 1/2 or so depending on the type of seat cushion you use.
I have also used the Cashel tush cushion. Pretty comfy without a lot of bulk.
Posted 2010-07-01 8:41 AM (#121792 - in reply to #121773) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: Gallatin, TN
I recently went from a Big Horn saddle with the memory foam seat to a saddle without the memory foam, boy what a difference. I bought the Cashel tush cush and am very happy with it, it is not bulky at all.
Posted 2010-07-01 4:15 PM (#121809 - in reply to #121774) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: Memphis, TN
Originally written by flyinghfarm on 2010-06-30 7:36 AM I rode 10 hours one way in a slick seat saddle and was not sore in any way........proper stirrup length and a saddle that fits you will sure help...
I used to have a gel pad and thought it was good...it may work fine for you....but now I have a hard seat wade saddle and can ride all day very comfy. Saddle fit and strrup length are key.
Posted 2010-07-02 10:50 PM (#121851 - in reply to #121773) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
Years ago I bought a sheepskin saddle cushion. It was guaranteed you would never hit "bottom"! It made a world of difference. I think I ordered it from Freedom Rider.
Posted 2010-07-04 6:22 PM (#121890 - in reply to #121773) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
The new Abetta saddle with the memory foam seats are AWESOME! I bought one over a year ago now and absolutely NO sore seatbones any more. The best price is Country Supply( Horse.com now I think) $385- free S&H too! That was the endurance model I bought. They come in semi-quarter horse tree, wide, x-wide and gaited trees. They even have arab trees and also a new flex tree as well.
I have owned several of these saddles and they do last a long time even with hard riding.( I did endurance with these saddles)
Posted 2010-07-07 7:52 PM (#122023 - in reply to #121773) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Cherokee, Ia
I just came back last week from 6 days of riding in the Black Hills.Great riding, but long hours in the saddle made me a little"saddle sore" rode in my barrel saddle, which does have a little padding, but wish I would have brought my Cashel Tush Cush along. I have had it for 10 years, not hot, just enough padding, without being bulky and easy to get in and out of the saddle. Used to ride every fall at Shawnee, and sometimes in the saddle 8 hours, but the cushion "really" helped ! They really seem to last a long time too. Just washes off with soap and water, if needed, and air dry. Worth the 25 bucks. (may be a little more $ now, but well worth it!) Where are you camping at the Hills? Weather was great, compared to Iowa anyway! Cool at nite, good campfire weather! Have a great time!!
Posted 2010-07-07 8:49 PM (#122025 - in reply to #121773) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Nebraska
CowgirlHi, I'm in NE Nebraska and we will be going in a couple of weeks and want to get out of there before Sturgis starts up too heavy. We are going to Elk Haven Horse Camp which is near Keystone. Nice riding there, I have heard that French Creek is a neat place to ride but that you encounter mountain bikers on the trail. We felt like we had the place to ourselves at Elk Haven, only a couple of times came across anyone else on the trail. I would like to ride up Harney Peak this year. Where did you go? How was the weather for you?Joan
Posted 2010-07-08 9:04 AM (#122037 - in reply to #121773) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Cherokee, Ia
Elk Haven is where I think my friends from here are going the end of July, before Sturgis too. We stayed at Hay Creek Ranch by Nemo. The guy who runs it is originally from Iowa, and they are so nice and accomodating. He takes you out on rides , if you want , so you get to see things you might not on your own. The weather was great, 70's day, 50's nite, but toward the end of the week, high 80's, but we were in and out of the trees a lot, so no prob. You are probably close to Sioux City? I live 45 miles east of Sioux City. Hope you get to see some "elk". We looked for them, never spotted any on our rides, but others did. Have a great time!! We are goin out again next year. Wish I could swing 2 rides, but gotta keep "family" happy at home too!
Posted 2010-07-23 10:03 PM (#122742 - in reply to #122023) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Veteran
Posts: 112 Location: ohio
I have tried several through out the years. The sheepskin was not thick enough, cheaper ones bunched up or wouldn't stay in place. But I have two styles of the Cashel ones. I agree, not hot, just the right amount of padding and no bulk and it never moves around. I did not like the full seat version because it took up extra space in the saddle. If you had a saddle that was a little too big for you, that might be a good choice. Also they are reasonably priced!
Posted 2010-07-26 9:36 AM (#122785 - in reply to #121773) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Veteran
Posts: 214 Location: lyle,mn
I have a sheep skin pad and I love it! It is cool in to ride on in the summer. We rode out in SD just a couple of weeks ago and my butt didn't get sore at all. Know we just spent over 4 hrs canoeing Sun. and sitting on a alum. seat and is my butt hurting today.
Posted 2010-07-31 3:17 PM (#123041 - in reply to #121773) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I bought a puppy from an older couple in north west TX. The fellow is an old cowboy, now a saddle maker. He says a hard seat is best for long hours in the saddle. anything else will "gall your behind".
Posted 2015-11-12 4:13 PM (#165371 - in reply to #121773) Subject: RE: saddle seat cushion
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Hamilton, MT
I prefer the 5 Star Saddle Pad. This saddle pad is an investment in your horse's comfort. It contains 100% virgin wool which offers superior quality, wicking, cooling, and compression protection. The cut of the pad, a French curve back line with wither slope, provides a comfortable fit on your horse's back that protects against pressure points. Great saddle pads for high withered horses.
saddle seat cushion
