Any suggestions to stop a saddle slipping when mounting

[dalesnfellfan]

Emeralds saddle fits really well and doesn't slip at all whilst riding, it does however slip quite badly if I try to get on from the ground, to the extent that I can't get on.  I usually use a mounting block but like to know that I can get back on if I have to get off whilst out hacking, can't always find something suitable to stand on.

I currently use a sheepskin half pad under her saddle and am considering a non slip numnah of some sort, though my saddler says if they stick to the back too tightly they can cause friction burns and there are lots advertised so not sure what's best, I have tried a thin gel pad but it didn't really stop the saddle slipping when I got on but did then prevent me straightening it by putting weight in the right stirrup.  I have tried several different girths including a profesionals choice neoprene one and humane girth but they done help, the humane girth works well on Spud but not on Em.

Has anyone tried a Limit pad if so how did you find it?

Also wondered if a breast plate would help, I know they are really meant to stop the saddle going backwards but I've never used one and I wondered if it would keep the saddle in place when mounting, also which type is best.

Any suggestions gratefully recieved

[harveydales]

I think this is a common problem with our round ponies. I never mount from the ground, even out hacking. If I have to dismount then I will walk until I find something I can use as a mounting block. It wasn't such a problem when I was younger and more athletic!

I find the professional choice girths the best and although I use a breast plate I don't think they help much with lateral slip while mounting. As for non slip pads, I have tried the limpet but find the type which work best for me are the acavallo gel pads. Sounds like you've already tried all of this though so don't know what else to suggest.




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[maggie]

You can try a big wash leather (chamois leather)under the saddle, they can work well, but I've found a neoprene girth sleeve works a treat although I never, ever mount from the ground - I'm afraid I'm simply too stiff, unbending and OLD!

[carolinec]

I just don't mount from the ground otherwise Pip's (custom-made for him saddle) slips around. I just walk along until I can find a rock/wall to mount from. I'm pretty stiff these days and Pip doesn't like to stand still so mounting from the ground isn't really an option any more.

[dalesnfellfan]

I had to get off her whilst hacking today as neither her nor Silver would pass a farmyard where a JCB was moving a muck heap and a teleporter was moving big round bales at the same time as the tree surgeons were up tall trees with chainsaws in the church yard opposite. Neither of them did anything nasty just stood rooted to the spot with eyes on stalks so we both got off and led them past, we walked a little way down the road until we found a portable step in the driveway to someone's field and used that to get back on (very considerate of them to leave it there for us I thought).

Perhaps that's just what I'll have to do, although I know that the knowledge that I can't get back on unless I can find something to stand on makes me more reluctant to get off in the first place.

I am quite stiff now and don't have the spring I used to but at just 14hh I can physically get on her from the ground (just) if I really have to, if only the saddle would stay put. Its not something I want to make a habit of, I would just like to know I could if I had to.

I will try the wash leather, also an acavllo, I have got one but it is a bit too small for her saddle, I could try it though and if it works I could get a bigger one, the gel pad I've tried is a cheaper thinner version.

Pam does your acavello sit up into the pommel of the saddle like a high wither numnah or does it sit flat on Harveys wither? if this is the case does it cause any pressure on his wither?

[valerie n scout]

I always use something to get on, a chair from home, walls or gates anything really Scouts good he just stands for me

[harveydales]

It doesn't worry me that if I have to get off during a ride for reasons such as you describe and may have to walk quite a way before finding a suitable mounting spot. I've found that walking alongside Harvey for short periods is very therapeutic and bonding for us both and probably also good for his back to get a rest. I've accepted that I don't have the spring I once did but actually I think the consequences of this have made us closer than we would have been had I been younger and more athletic.

The acavallo pad does lie right on the wither. It is stretchy so in theory shouldn't cause problems but I was a bit worried and cut a wither shaped gap in it. I don't think I needed to though - I have friends who do long distance endurance using their pads and swear by them - 30 mile type rides while the most I have ever done is 15 miles!

[kezndkaren]

I use a neoprene girth channel(o'shepherds racing supplies) and a piece of the stuff you use to stop rugs slipping under the numnah- saddle stays put!

[nedales]

I found that using a plastic leg ice wrap (Shires Gel -Eze the kind you can put in freezer and then pull out to use as leg wrap) between saddle and numnah made a huge difference in saddle slip, but I still look for a height to leap on from. Never a problem when I was younger, faster and more limber though...and always glad I have That Dales Mane to hang on to!
Oh and share the enthusiasm for the Professional Choice girth--but don't do as I did and misplace the girth liner.

[heathera]

I also use something to mount from as I'm not too old and creaky to mount from the ground. I tried the neoprene girths but found the ponies hated them as they pulled at the hair too much.

With my old TB mare I used to use an Impakt pad which was brilliant but they don't make them any more. I think the closest is probably a Mark Todd acupressure pad. www.rideaway.co.uk/mark-todd-acupressure-pad

A cheap and cheerful fix that works from some but not others is to use the non-slip shelf liners like this one from Tenura www.tenura.co.uk/Tenura-Non-Slip-Fabric-p11.html

[maesfen]

What a brilliant idea, that shelf lining. I'm taking in all these tips for when it's time to start Rowan!