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Member
Posts: 12
| I am looking for opinions on saddles that offer the most lower back support. I have a history of lower back issues, herniated discs etc...I am getting a young filly going and she is a hard turner. On top of just getting myself in better shape to handle her turning style and wearing a back brace. I am looking for a saddle that will give me the most support. I am curious about some of the newer treeless vs. Crown C etc....any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! | |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
 
Location: PNW | Caldwell. Pricey, but legit. They can adjust EVERYTHING to help ease back stress. | |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
 
| Lynn McKenzie has come out with a wider cantle, rather than taller that her daughter Jennifer is having wonderful luck with stabilizing her, especially on the back side and leaving the turn. I'm dying to try it. I have two of the three McKenzie Special trees, (I have the Nueva and the Special) and I LOVE them! I want the McKenzie wide and I'd love to try the wider cantle.
I have horrible lower back problems, and I've found that taller cantles can really give me problems if I get behind and get smacked. Really, the best thing I've done for myself and my back is a running program.
I'm always going to be big in the hip and booty, though and the idea of a wider cantle for extra support just sounds so wonderful! | |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I have to be super careful with my back... The saddles I've liked best are Shiloh, Double J, Sibley Flex Tree and an NRS Pro Series. They all fit different horses. I've tried a zillion. One thing I will tell you is that if you get sore after riding in a saddle, don't be afraid to change or let anyone tell you it's just that particular horse that makes you sore. Saddle makes a HUGE difference. There are saddles out there that are harder on your back than others (I know, I've riden them). 2nd thing, if you have back issues, you've got to continually work on core strength...planks are great. I have several other exercises that physical therapists have given me as well that I continually work at. Run/Walk/Elliptical, get in the best shape possible. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | I don't have back problems but I had a Circle Y that would make my lower back hurt. The funny thing is when I'd first sit in it I thought it was quite comfortable then I'd ride a little bit and my lower back would start hurting. Before that I didn't realize what a difference a saddle can make on your back. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| You won't believe me but a low backed cutting saddle or barrel saddle on a cutting tree and get yourself a back brace. High backed saddles such as double J's etc will kill your back. | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Meleeta Brown's barrel saddle is really comfortable. I used to be really stiff in my lower back and my knees when I rode. I just thought it was age. I bought her saddle because it really fits my horse well, but , man, does it fit me well too. No more stiff lower back or knees. She has a demo program too so you could try before you buy. | |
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Member
Posts: 12
| Thank you everyone for your input. I am definitely going to be looking into some of the saddles recommended and possibly trying to borrow and try different saddles from friends etc...  | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | GLP - 2015-04-08 10:57 AM
Meleeta Brown's barrel saddle is really comfortable. I used to be really stiff in my lower back and my knees when I rode. I just thought it was age. I bought her saddle because it really fits my horse well, but , man, does it fit me well too. No more stiff lower back or knees. She has a demo program too so you could try before you buy.
I was just thinking the same thing about the newer freedom saddles. I have a horrible back and also my whole spine is rotated. Not scoliosis, but rotated a little bit. I did her demo program and fell in love. It fits my racy built mare very well, and it fits me very well as well. My mare is a power house coming out of turns and higher cantles just beat me to death, and this one fits me well and my butt finds that pocket in the seat. The only thing I did do differently to my freedom saddle is invested in a pair of crooked stirrup to relieve knee pain from the traditional metal ones. But that's just me. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 237
| I agree on the Caldwell saddles for back pain! She knows what it takes to ride with a bad back and can fit you to your horse with the correct saddle, tree, cinch and saddle pad if you want to learn. She is Heaven sent! Stands behind her saddles too! I currently own 4 and always asking for help with new horses. GREAT Saddle Makers!! | |
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Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Girls_Gotta_Jet - 2015-04-09 5:24 PM
GLP - 2015-04-08 10:57 AM
Meleeta Brown's barrel saddle is really comfortable. I used to be really stiff in my lower back and my knees when I rode. I just thought it was age. I bought her saddle because it really fits my horse well, but , man, does it fit me well too. No more stiff lower back or knees. She has a demo program too so you could try before you buy.
I was just thinking the same thing about the newer freedom saddles. I have a horrible back and also my whole spine is rotated. Not scoliosis, but rotated a little bit. I did her demo program and fell in love. It fits my racy built mare very well, and it fits me very well as well. My mare is a power house coming out of turns and higher cantles just beat me to death, and this one fits me well and my butt finds that pocket in the seat. The only thing I did do differently to my freedom saddle is invested in a pair of crooked stirrup to relieve knee pain from the traditional metal ones. But that's just me.
I've got rotation (plenty and to the right), degenerative disk disease (gross looking on xray), and scoliosis in my lower back (this odd C shape inverted towards my belly button). Sort of a mess. BUT, with a running program and just really basic floor exercises (squats, sit ups, jumping jacks, etc), the pain is really starting to come out. It's simply amazing. I haven't felt this good since I was in high school.
For the saddles, I've really found that I cannot cheap my way on tack. I've got to get the really good stuff, or just doom myself to serious pain after a hard run or long ride. I've doubled up on the Lynn McKenzies, Coats, and made sure that those saddles really FIT. I've overcome my pride and spent the money and time on saddles that I don't need Crisco and a shoe horn to sit in.
I've gone with Lynn saddles because I'm short, stout, and big in the hip. Those saddles seem to have been designed for us chicas that need extra support due to our build. You can't go wrong with Coats. Those trees are pretty magical.
I've ridden plenty of other saddles, though I haven't had a Pozzi. However, her build and mine are on different ends of the spectrum. I think when you're buying endorsed items, it's better to pair off with body style.
I used to love my CJ saddle, (I still own and ride it occasionally), but it doesn't offer me the smooth ride that a McKenzie does. I think it's because I don't have CJ's build. I've had a few other endorsee brands, but I've been most comfortable riding something that was designed with someone short, strong, and wide in the hip.
I've also had someone tell me that a Duke saddle might be looking into, but I've never seen one to crawl into it. | |
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Expert
Posts: 3147
| Timber Creek - 2015-04-08 10:19 AM
I don't have back problems but I had a Circle Y that would make my lower back hurt. The funny thing is when I'd first sit in it I thought it was quite comfortable then I'd ride a little bit and my lower back would start hurting. Before that I didn't realize what a difference a saddle can make on your back.
I, too, had a big name Circle Y that hurt my back after only minutes in the saddle. | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| classicpotatochip - 2015-04-09 10:38 PM
Girls_Gotta_Jet - 2015-04-09 5:24 PM
GLP - 2015-04-08 10:57 AM
Meleeta Brown's barrel saddle is really comfortable. I used to be really stiff in my lower back and my knees when I rode. I just thought it was age. I bought her saddle because it really fits my horse well, but , man, does it fit me well too. No more stiff lower back or knees. She has a demo program too so you could try before you buy.
I was just thinking the same thing about the newer freedom saddles. I have a horrible back and also my whole spine is rotated. Not scoliosis, but rotated a little bit. I did her demo program and fell in love. It fits my racy built mare very well, and it fits me very well as well. My mare is a power house coming out of turns and higher cantles just beat me to death, and this one fits me well and my butt finds that pocket in the seat. The only thing I did do differently to my freedom saddle is invested in a pair of crooked stirrup to relieve knee pain from the traditional metal ones. But that's just me.
I've got rotation (plenty and to the right ), degenerative disk disease (gross looking on xray ), and scoliosis in my lower back (this odd C shape inverted towards my belly button ). Sort of a mess. BUT, with a running program and just really basic floor exercises (squats, sit ups, jumping jacks, etc ), the pain is really starting to come out. It's simply amazing. I haven't felt this good since I was in high school.
For the saddles, I've really found that I cannot cheap my way on tack. I've got to get the really good stuff, or just doom myself to serious pain after a hard run or long ride. I've doubled up on the Lynn McKenzies, Coats, and made sure that those saddles really FIT. I've overcome my pride and spent the money and time on saddles that I don't need Crisco and a shoe horn to sit in.
I've gone with Lynn saddles because I'm short, stout, and big in the hip. Those saddles seem to have been designed for us chicas that need extra support due to our build. You can't go wrong with Coats. Those trees are pretty magical.
I've ridden plenty of other saddles, though I haven't had a Pozzi. However, her build and mine are on different ends of the spectrum. I think when you're buying endorsed items, it's better to pair off with body style.
I used to love my CJ saddle, (I still own and ride it occasionally ), but it doesn't offer me the smooth ride that a McKenzie does. I think it's because I don't have CJ's build. I've had a few other endorsee brands, but I've been most comfortable riding something that was designed with someone short, strong, and wide in the hip.
I've also had someone tell me that a Duke saddle might be looking into, but I've never seen one to crawl into it.
I think Meleeta's saddle is made by Coats, or is it Crates? I get them mixed up. I had a LM but I found the Meleeta much easier on my back. I don't consider her saddle to be a lower quality saddle. And it may be that since the LM didn't fit my horse, that it translated to not fitting me either. On a different horse, it might not bother me. I for sure would try a LM if I had a horse that needed a different saddle than Meleeta's I have now.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | GLP - 2015-04-10 9:43 AM
classicpotatochip - 2015-04-09 10:38 PM
Girls_Gotta_Jet - 2015-04-09 5:24 PM
GLP - 2015-04-08 10:57 AM
Meleeta Brown's barrel saddle is really comfortable. I used to be really stiff in my lower back and my knees when I rode. I just thought it was age. I bought her saddle because it really fits my horse well, but , man, does it fit me well too. No more stiff lower back or knees. She has a demo program too so you could try before you buy.
I was just thinking the same thing about the newer freedom saddles. I have a horrible back and also my whole spine is rotated. Not scoliosis, but rotated a little bit. I did her demo program and fell in love. It fits my racy built mare very well, and it fits me very well as well. My mare is a power house coming out of turns and higher cantles just beat me to death, and this one fits me well and my butt finds that pocket in the seat. The only thing I did do differently to my freedom saddle is invested in a pair of crooked stirrup to relieve knee pain from the traditional metal ones. But that's just me.
I've got rotation (plenty and to the right ), degenerative disk disease (gross looking on xray ), and scoliosis in my lower back (this odd C shape inverted towards my belly button ). Sort of a mess. BUT, with a running program and just really basic floor exercises (squats, sit ups, jumping jacks, etc ), the pain is really starting to come out. It's simply amazing. I haven't felt this good since I was in high school.
For the saddles, I've really found that I cannot cheap my way on tack. I've got to get the really good stuff, or just doom myself to serious pain after a hard run or long ride. I've doubled up on the Lynn McKenzies, Coats, and made sure that those saddles really FIT. I've overcome my pride and spent the money and time on saddles that I don't need Crisco and a shoe horn to sit in.
I've gone with Lynn saddles because I'm short, stout, and big in the hip. Those saddles seem to have been designed for us chicas that need extra support due to our build. You can't go wrong with Coats. Those trees are pretty magical.
I've ridden plenty of other saddles, though I haven't had a Pozzi. However, her build and mine are on different ends of the spectrum. I think when you're buying endorsed items, it's better to pair off with body style.
I used to love my CJ saddle, (I still own and ride it occasionally ), but it doesn't offer me the smooth ride that a McKenzie does. I think it's because I don't have CJ's build. I've had a few other endorsee brands, but I've been most comfortable riding something that was designed with someone short, strong, and wide in the hip.
I've also had someone tell me that a Duke saddle might be looking into, but I've never seen one to crawl into it.
I think Meleeta's saddle is made by Coats, or is it Crates? I get them mixed up. I had a LM but I found the Meleeta much easier on my back. I don't consider her saddle to be a lower quality saddle. And it may be that since the LM didn't fit my horse, that it translated to not fitting me either. On a different horse, it might not bother me. I for sure would try a LM if I had a horse that needed a different saddle than Meleeta's I have now.
The Meleta's are made by Crates. When I was saddle shopping the LM was on my list but I couldn't find one to try before I bought one. I do agree that if looking at something endorsed, it does make sense to find a similar built endorsee as yourself. Never really though of it that way before, but it makes sense to me. | |
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