BUTTOCKS QUESTION

So, as you are all aware, I am just an occasional rider. When I bought Stretch I purchased a used Griffith 16" full QH bars western saddle. I didn't want to invest alot of money in one - well, actually I would have loved to have invested alot of money in one but I bought Stretch instead! My problem is that when I ride my seat bones KILL me. I have a bit of a boney bumm anyways. I'm not skinny - I just have a boney bumm. Like right now I'm sitting on a wooden chair and my bones are digging into it. I've tried my friend's saddle which is a 15" and was expensive (about 3K) but I didn't find it comfy either. I'm looking for your opinions about my buttocks dilema. Do you think they get so sore because I only ride once or twice a month, or do you think it has more to do with the saddle? Or perhaps the way that I sit? We don't have tack stores here that carry saddles so I can't just "try a few and see what feels best". If you order one from away you have to pay the shipping and then if you return it you have to ship it back. Can get pretty expensive! What are your thoughts?

You sound like me. I get sore in my western mostly but sometimes the english too. My saddle seat is pretty hard so I just bought a sheepskin seatsaver to throw on it. It's not perfect but it's much more comfortable.

Maybe it's just not riding enough because I never remember being sore when I was riding regularly.

my friend used a gel pad with her old saddle, now she uses a sheepskin seat saver on her new saddle.. seems to work well..

Get a Reinsman Flex tree... it is like sitting on the couch... ohhhhh so heavenly....

Hubby told me it had to go as it was damaging some parts he feels are rather "important" but it was the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat in....

I use a tush cushion, love it. Cathy has one at the tack shop for sale. I can get a pic for you if you'd like.

I would say its cause you don't ride often. I ride in my saddle 5-6 times a week and find it super comfy. I had an friend that rides english come down last week and gave her a mini western lesson and she found my saddle uncomfortable.

I think the tush cushion would be a good way to go. Personally, i don't think buying a new saddle will fix the problem.

Lightning, please send me a picture of your tush cushion (not your tush!) :36_1_15[1].gif

my mom uses a sheepskin seat saver
I have a textan barrel saddle with a gel seat I love it !!! I got mine used for about $600 us so you might be able to sell the saddle you have and upgrade to a different one.

Will do Tammy, heehee