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Discussion on WESTERN RIDER HAS HIP AND KNEE PAIN
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Member:
nena
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 4:15 pm:
Hi there everyone! This question concerns my husband, a 6' 210lb. beginning rider. He has started riding my 16h TWH with a Tucker Nevada Joe saddle, which we bought because he loved the look and it was supposed to be sooo comfortable. (Oh yea, it's for sale now!) Unfortunately it causes him to have hip and knee pain and brief numbness in his legs when he dismounts. We have since tried a National Bridle Shop Tennessean trail saddle which seems to help a great deal, but we are not quite there yet. It seems to help relieve some pressure when his knees/legs are more forward, but he still has to stand in the saddle periodically to take the pressure off his hips.
He seems to think that the saddle is not wide enough in the seat portion at the back of the saddle and possibly the roundness of the cantle puts undo pressure on his sciatic nerve. Someone suggested possibly a reining or roping saddle because I guess they are flater in the seat, but I have no idea.
I looked at an Aussie and also a Treeless saddle, but I am not sure either would have enough stability for him. He is a BEGINNING rider and needs comfort as well as stability.
ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!! THANKS
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Member:
sonoita
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 4:26 pm:
What about the things for the stirrups to turn them so it does not make the knees hurt or twist. I can not for the life of me remember what they are called. I think Knee savers.
Someone on here will know though.
Happy Trails
Oh yeah my husband had the same problem and we put these on and it fixed the problem.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 5:29 pm:
One thing I would mention is to make sure the saddle fits him correctly. If I ride in my trainer's western saddle, I can barely walk afterwards as my knees, back and hips hurt so badly. When I ride in my own saddle, I can ride all day long with no problems.
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 6:30 pm:
Besides the saddle fitting him, what condition is he in? Riding uses different muscles. He also may be tense if he's a beginner. He may be in shape for other sports or just from hard work, and still get sore from riding. He may also have issues with being flexible enough. Usually more of a problem I think!
Do you have an exercise ball? Just learing to balance on that will help with riding balance, and using like inner thigh muscles. May be different for men of course.
A few lessons from a dressage trainer will give him some pointers on posture, leg position and relaxation.
I have both an Aussie and a treeless saddle. I have yet to get the Aussie figured out for comfort and balance. I love the treeless saddle! But it can slip on some horses so you are right to be concerned about it.
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Member:
karent
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 7:15 pm:
Another thing beginner riders tend to do is use the stirrups for security and really press their feet into them. This also could be a reason for sore knees and hips. If he is doing that, no saddle will give him relief. Have him try using the stirrups as a light foot rest only and see if that helps his knees/hips at all.
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Member:
jojo15
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 - 3:24 am:
i'm considering a new saddle too. i'm getting older. my mare is getting older. None of our saddles just seem right anymore...
A couple of things to remember is find a saddle that fits your horse first, and is not one sided. Mine has been for years. but i never realized how bad it was till i stopped riding last year, and just got back on this year... after just one ride i was in pain in the knee, the ankle the right hip inside in the groin etc... TOTALLY one sided... and sore... oh man.. I couldn't believe just one little ride got me so jumbled its the saddle. And if you have a new rider, and a bad saddle. yikes what a combination.
To test your hubbys stamina and balance, because the body can be off balance and not the saddle. will he ride for a bit bare back? You need to find out if he is the problem or the saddle. or both... and if its the seat of the saddle or is it the under pinnings of the saddle making your horse off.. Its an art i believe to get the best fit.
Now for your hubby. There are certain anatomical differences that need to be addressed when buying him a saddle. So if the saddle looks and feels comfortable at an 18 get him a bigger size. and although its something to joke about... hahah.. its still something to consider.. look up old posts. I remember the MEN discussing this issue eons ago. You might gain some insight on how to help hubby and saddle fitting.
Depending on your budget can you get a personal fitted saddle. Tucker makes them...i want one of them... and the leather. butter... Oh well... you can alway get an old saddle refitted... Look up Galadriel Billington. She has a good little E-book on saddle fitting. Or send me your email and i will try to send you the link..
So far that is my best bet as of my research.
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 - 10:31 am:
Stretching before riding is also a very good idea. I stand with legs shoulder width apart for all these stretches. First, I bend down with knees slightly bent, trying to touch behind me as far as I can. Then I twist and try extending my hands to the ground behind my ankle while extending the hip upward; do this on both sides. Next, stand up and bend knees, bringing hips forward as far as you can until you feel the stretch in your upper thighs. Last one I call my "hula girl". I swivel my hips around like a belly dancer, first one direction then the other. (Please don't ask me what the others at the barn are thinking while they watch me do these!) However, they are necessary or I feel back and hip pain too.
I also agree it sounds like he is putting too much weight in the stirrups. When my husband first rode he gripped the horse with his legs, so make sure your hubby isn't doing that too. He needs to understand that it's all about balance of torso on saddle, and weight bearing down through the seat and not the legs. If he does not feel comfortable riding bareback, even riding without stirrups can help.
Good luck,
Linda
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Member:
terrilyn
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 - 2:47 pm:
I scanned the above posts but didn't see stirrup length. Makes a big difference...lengthen them a hole or two and see if it helps. The swivel stirrups (mentnioned above) sold in most equine catalogs are a huge help.
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Member:
nena
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 - 6:40 pm:
Wow!! Thank you everyone for all the useful suggestions. I will definitely have him try them. The stirrup turning and stretching are great ideas and I am sure that can only help. Probably not going to get him on bareback (not sure I want him to either!!) I will keep you posted and any other ideas, especially regarding buying/trying other saddles would be helpful. The Tucker is definitely out. Am going to continue to look. Thanks again!!
Nena
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Member:
shanson
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 5:27 pm:
One of the big things for me with western saddles is to "train" the fenders and stirrups to hang in the correct position with stirrup facing forward. Otherwise, the rider has to hold the stirrups in place which stresses the knees and hips. You can train a saddle by storing it for a while with a broomstick threaded through both stirrups to hold them in the correct position.
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Member:
nena
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Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 8:41 am:
Thanks Sharon. I do know that does help, and we will certainly do that if we ever find the right saddle.
Okay everyone, I showed my husband your posts and he was very appreciative of your suggestions, however he asked me to be a little more specific.
He does have some knee and hip pain when riding, but the most discomfort occurs when he dismounts and he starts getting feeling back into his legs. He thinks the saddle is the main source as it seems to cut off circulation and his legs are somewhat numb until he dismounts (liken this to your foot falling asleep and then hurting when the circulation returns to your foot). The reason the saddle may be the culprit is because when he changed from the Tucker to the Tennessean saddle, the pain and numbness wasn't near as bad and he could ride longer. He still feels like there may be another type saddle that would fit even better, if only we could find someone with the same problem that has been resolved.
Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.
Nena
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 12:45 pm:
Now it does sound more like a saddle problem. The first saddle I ever owned was an old hard seat western saddle. My knees and ankles always hurt on long rides and when I got off. Now, considering that was like 25 years ago when I was so much more limber and toned...!!
Before investing in a new saddle, maybe try a nice wool pad, or other pad like endurance riders use. Maybe something is hitting a nerve just right under his thighs/seatbones and the extra padding would help. I mean a pad under him, not under the saddle.
Does he visit a chiropractor regularly? Maybe a lower back adjustment would help. I know when I get to feeling like one leg is longer, I go in. Or like now, my ear is hurting and I am "whoozy" feeling. Again, my chiro helps with that.
It helps he is an endurance rider himself, so if you find a chiropractor that rides, all the better.
Keep us posted what helps.
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 4:34 pm:
Back when I first started riding, I had this problem. Especially feeling tingly in my feet after getting off. For me, the problem was putting too much weight in the stirrups, which caused the circulation in my feet to slow and my feet "fell asleep". I was pretty tense in those days and used the stirrups for support.
I re-read your original post and I wonder if his saddle is large enough? You mention the cantle putting pressure on his sciatic nerve. He should be able to place his hand between his back and the cantle, so it should not normally touch his back. Perhaps a larger size would be more comfortable.
Linda
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 5:13 pm:
The saddle may be too wide in the twist,(near the front of his thighs) though women usually have more trouble with this. And a saddle thats flat from pommel to cantle is better for men. As tall as he is, I don't think he should be having a big problem with the stirrups being turned but he might be pressing down too hard. He should be resting his feet in them like sitting in a chair. I am only 5'0 so I have given up on western saddles, no matter what I do the outside of my knees hurt. I got a pair of those knee savers but then the stirrups needed shortening! I am doing dressage now and my tex tan hereford is for sale!
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Member:
nena
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Posted on Monday, Apr 16, 2007 - 1:44 pm:
THANKS FOR THE INFO, I THINK YOU MAY BE RIGHT ABOUT THE WEIGHT IN THE STIRRUPS, I WILL OFFER THAT SUGGESTION. ALSO, THIS NARROW SADDLE DOES SEEM TO BE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE ORDERED A TUCKER ENDURANCE AND WILL TRY IT OUT AS A DEMO. I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED. THANKS AGAIN. ND
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Member:
patricia
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Posted on Monday, Apr 16, 2007 - 7:45 pm:
I love my Tucker endurance saddle! I hope you find it as comfortable as I do.
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Member:
jojo15
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Posted on Monday, Apr 16, 2007 - 10:13 pm:
Our bodies are sometimes just not meant to be riding wide backed horses. and a wide tree. and your hubby is practically straddling a horse like a gymnast. the pressure on that inside groin nerve will do odd things. getting more supple might be the only answer.
And the saddle size. try one 3 times bigger than he needs. the stirrups are placed based on the seat size. So if he needs a stirrup that allows more forward movement, so his hips sit more like hes sitting a chair, see if the bigger saddles allow it.
HE just might need to get a saddle built specifically for his body.
Has he tried a dressage saddle? where you sit deepr and it helps you sit better? And then try a saddlebred saddle? and and english.
Most people just adjust accordingly and don't go to the extremes. and endure the discomfort. as i get older its not just discomfort any longer it can be pain. The only saddle that i have solved this with is an english. because i do have exactly the kinds of things your describing. Foot on my right falls asleep. my knee hurts, the joint in my inside hip hurts. groin area. and total numbness. I know i am lopsided. one hip is higher than the other...i have adjusted my iceskates (when i used to skate seriously). I had had special foot pads for when i ski. I have the worst time buying jogging shoes, i always feel too forward in them. and so on...so if that is the case there is no saddle out there that will fit him properly. I just find the larger saddles off the rack work much better. more leeway for me to ride the way i want. i've always just grin and bared it. but not now. I'm looking for a saddler that will fit my body... Or take a saddle and then reseat it to fit my lopsided ness....
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Member:
terrilyn
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 - 10:34 am:
I too have a Tucker endurance and enjoy it very much...however, be sure you buy it larger than the size you think you need. The cushioning in the seat makes a 16" feel like a 15".
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Member:
karent
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Posted on Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 - 11:58 am:
I have found that no one saddle is comfortable for everyone. I bought a tucker endurance saddle and didn't like it at all, it was very uncomfortable, at least it was for me. I promptly sold it and bought a Crates Lite Rider endurance saddle and absolutely love it.
All our bodies are different and saddles that are comfortable for some are not for others. So I guess you just have to keep trying saddles until you find the right one for you.
In fact, the least expensive saddle I ever bought, an Abetta, was and still is a comfortable saddle for me (after I changed out the stirrups). I don't use it for trail riding, but I use it almost exclusively at home working with my horses in the arena.
Happy saddle hunting
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Member:
nena
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Posted on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 9:49 am:
Just a note to thank everyone for their input and suggestions. I THINK we have finally found the right saddle!! After trying numerous saddles and incorporating all the suggestions, he feels the Tucker Cheyenne trail saddle is the one that works best. It is flatter from the pommel to the cantle and fairly wide. He is also going to get the stirrups that are positioned facing forward, instead of just DrOpping to the side. I think he will always have occasional discomfort, but I believe this is the best, after taking everything into consideration. We also found that just stopping every so often and getting off to stretch helps.
Anyway, thanks again for all your help! Happy Trails!!
Nena
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