Someone else must have this problem

[Ruth]

OK this is an embarassing problem. I get serious underwear wounds. If it's not the "crook" of my leg being rubbed raw by the edge of the underwear then I get bad rubs, hmmm, "elsewhere", nudge nudge wink wink. It's only an issue for sitting trot, but seeing as I'm a dressage rider... I did buy some dressage underwear which are like bike shorts and that solved problem A, but not problem B. It's not so bad the first day of riding, but when I try to ride 2 days in a row I'm in such pain the second day that I tend to be tense. I can understand why horses don't go well in an uncomfortable saddle! I do try to ride every other day, and that helps but the sores don't totally heal from one ride to the next anyway, it's just not quite as bad as when I ride 2 days in a row. And because of my work schedule I do usually end up riding Thurs & Fri. I try not to give him 2 days off in a row. HELP! This is the biggest impediment to me being as good a rider as I can.

[BTDT]

Yup ... been there done that.  You aren't going to like my suggestion.
You need to get your saddle to fit YOU now.&nbsp; Sounds like the twist of your saddle is too wide (or possibly too narrow) for you.&nbsp; Believe me it makes a huge difference.&nbsp; I thought I was going to make my legs longer the hard way!!!!<IMG src="smileys/smiley11.gif" border="0">&nbsp; Sometimes, even though the saddle fits your horse great, it might be pushing you lower into the front of the saddle, specially doing a really good sit trot, that will just cut you to ribbons.
I was lucky enough to be looking for a saddle that would fit a new horse so I managed to fix the problem for both of us.&nbsp; Yet the old saddle was fine on the old thoroughbred that I rode at that time, but on the new warmblood ... eyeowwwwww.<edited><editID>BTDT</editID><editDate>38392.5642939815</editDate></edited>

[jax]

In the meantime, look for underwear that have wide, flat elastic, rather than the little thin elastic that'll get'cha.&nbsp; Or get cotton drawers with the elastic that is covered in cotton.&nbsp; And maybe go one size bigger so the leg bands aren't quite so tight.
I found some really cool underwear - microfibre.&nbsp; No elastic at all.&nbsp; Should have bought more <IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">

[Ruth]

I've seen those microfibre jobbies. How do they not end up giving you a wedgie? I do use cotton, I'm not a frilly underwear type of gal, but the wide elastic makes sense. <br />BTDT: my saddle was custom by Schleese so it was fitted to both of us. It does need an adjustment at the moment and I had wondered it that might be a contributing factor.<edited><editID>Ruth</editID><editDate>38392.641087963</editDate></edited>

[jax]

Trust me, the microfibre just goes on and stays there - don't know how they do it, but they do.

[Ruth]

OK, I might give those a try next time I am underwear shopping, which will be soon as I think I'm down to 5 pairs.

[*rickie*]

[QUOTE=Ruth] It does need an adjustment at the moment and I had wondered it that might be a contributing factor.[/QUOTE] <br /> <br />Did it just start *rubbing you the wrong way*? or has this been the case since you got the saddle? If it's been the case the whole time, I'd say maybe it wasn't *custom* enough to you...... <br /> <br />If it's recently, then I'd say either it needs to be reajusted to you, or maybe you changed something in your position?? Is that possible?? <br /> <br />I have a similar problem with my saddle, but I don't think it's as bad as yours, I ride every day (well use to!), it might not be 100% comfy, but it's not the end of the world (however the fiance may disagree <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">) I just cut it up to be position changes (it didn't hurt when I bought it, and then it hurt, and then it didn't hurt) it changes depending on what my coach does/did with my position from time to time........Maybe that also means the twist is wrong for me?? Who knows!? <edited><editID>*rickie*</editID><editDate>38392.69</editDate></edited>

[Patricia]

UGH.....my post disappeared....Okay the short version.&nbsp; Your really riding now with lots of sit trot.&nbsp; Been there done that...If your saddle is fitted for you and horse...spend as much on your riding undies too.&nbsp; Select the microfibre with no elastic and NO SEAMS. I like the&nbsp;kind with spandex too...holds me together...no chaffing...LOL!&nbsp; Been there done that!<IMG src="smileys/smiley2.gif" border="0">

[Xenasaur]

I just to have the same problem with this old saddle I used to have... And I also have the problem if I do dressage in my close contact saddle... But if I do my dressage in my nice dressage saddle then I dont get rubbed.

[Ruth]

No Rickie this has been an on and off problem, but as Patricia noticed now that we are doing more and better sitting trot it is getting worse. I had the same problem occasionally with a previous horse in a different saddle. My position has definitely improved so perhaps that is a factor as well. <br />Oh and Rickie: Your posts don't show up on the computer at my other job. The monitor is pathetic and won't pick up the color of your font.

[Piaffing]

Um you might want to wear a pad.

[Ruth]

Oh no those are the worst rubbing things out there! At least for me.

[Elizabeth]

I agree about the saddle being the issue. I had the same problem in a saddle several years ago. How about trying one of those fleecy saddle seat covers?

[*rickie*]

hmmm Otay, well Ruth, just for you, I'll post in black here! <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley17.gif" border="0"> <br /> <br />Could be your position, if you have a coach, have a chat with him/her about.....as weird as that may sound, if it's a she....she'll probably be able to help...it's it a him....errrr.....ummmmm <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0"> <br /> <br />As for trying a saddle cover, I got the gel tush cushion that they sell in Greenhawk.....it helps a bit, but not that much.......and I'm in agree-ans with you...pads are worse! <br /> <br />I have no other ideas, as I've tried them all myself....as for underwear....doesn't seem to help.....I've tried a bunch of different kinds....but then again, I don't get undy-rubs <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley17.gif" border="0"> I'm just hoping it'll sort it's self out.....if not, I'll buy a new saddle! Oh...how I'll miss my saddle <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley6.gif" border="0">

[Razzba]

Well Ruth I usually ride in my oldest, baggiest cotton undies. Not a pretty sight, but who is looking? And they are clean in case I do have to go to the hospital...(it has happened!)! (The doctor had to look at my bra - broken ribs, not undies) OK, OK, TOO much information for those young'uns!! <IMG src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0">
So, I am talking about Fruit of the Loom, Walmart, 3 for $7, full-seat (or grannies). Very comfy, even have some leopard print ones.&nbsp;Now I have bought some "most comfortable undies ever" but to me they are too new to ride in!
Good luck in that, er, area! <IMG src="smileys/smiley14.gif" border="0">

[Patricia]

If 75% of your ride is in sitting trot...and you ride almost everyday...The problem can persist.&nbsp; I rode in those cotton with seams and elastic...it would rub me raw when I was doing lots of sit trot.&nbsp; I honestly do NOT think it is your saddle.&nbsp; I spent an afternoon at Zeller/Walmart in their undies department.&nbsp; Look for something with no seams/elastic.&nbsp; I found when I rode in full seats with REAL leather...I chaffed even more.&nbsp; I ride in Dublin's now and it seems better.&nbsp;

[donutndianna]

I have had the same experience! I agree with the underwear, thick elastic, or microfibre, but here is another solution that has worked for me....Vaseline! I know it sounds kinda gross, but I used to use it on my babies sometimes, when they had diaper rash I would use penaten or zincofax and powder sometimes, so why not when I have problems down there! It has been a life saver when I have to ride every day preparing for a show. Might be worth a try, it is cheap!

[Ruth]

[QUOTE=Razzba] <p>And they are clean in case I do have to go to the hospital...(it has happened!)! (The doctor had to look at my bra - broken ribs, not undies) ][/QUOTE] <br />I once had a gate and a horse land on my lower leg and was concerned that they were going to have to take my pants off, not because my underwear were dirty, but because I wasn't wearing any at all. Luckily they cut my jeans instead! <br />Elizabeth: the sheepskin covers also seem to be worse. Not 100% sure though because that was someone else's horse and saddle. <br />The Vaseline sounds messy but makes sense. I'll try it in the older undies and maybe pick up a pair of microfibre ones to see how they are. <br />Excellent suggestions guys! Feel free to share any more you may have.

[Ruth]

Oh, someone else mentioned talking to my coach. He's a he, and the one time I cautiously broached the subject didn't appear to A) be too comfortable with the subject and B)know that people could have such problems.

[Elizabeth]

I seem to remember that when I had the problem I changed the angle of the saddle, back to front, and that solved the problem. It didn't fit the horse as well as it should anyway and that contributed to it rubbing me. When I went to my wide seat Balance saddle I never had the problem again, thank goodness.