Hours in the Saddle Without Regret: How to Prevent Saddle Sores

A long trail ride can lead to a real sense of elation. And to sore spots and pain that lingers for days in various, sometimes surprising and sometimes unfortunately rather embarrassing places. Here we'll set aside the muscle soreness that a bit of practice takes care of, and take a closer look at the notorious problem of saddle sores (sometimes called chafing): what causes it – and how can it be prevented?

Our Amazona solution against saddle sores gives you, while riding:

• Relief for the pubic bone
• a balanced seat
• comfort for the seat bones
• adaptation to the female anatomy

Sore spots in the intimate area and on the buttocks are caused by friction resulting from the movements involved in riding. Two causes can be distinguished here:

1. Chafing between skin and clothing: This form of saddle sores is encouraged by loose-fitting clothing as well as by seams, hems and folds in trousers at sensitive spots. Saddle elements that press through the clothing (straps, buckles, edges of the saddle flaps) can also cause sore spots. If you sweat while riding, this increases the friction effect.

2. Impacts and friction between the saddle and bone: This crushes the soft tissue lying over the bone. The resulting pressure points occur mainly around the pubic bone and the two seat bones: these three bones play the main role when sitting in the saddle. The tailbone causes problems less often.

Point 1 can mainly be brought under control through suitable clothing. Point 2 is a saddle problem. And one that mainly affects women.

Small things like the hem at the leg opening of your underwear or the seam of your trousers in the crotch can become a big problem while riding. Namely when the constant movement in the saddle rubs these spots over and over again against the skin. And even where nothing in particular is felt and bare skin and fabric are simply shifted against each other constantly, this can lead to sore spots over time. Incidentally, this also applies when skin rubs against skin, for instance where the inner thighs meet the torso. The situation is made considerably worse when sweat is involved, softening the skin.

• Comfortable underwear: Wear seamless underwear without irregularities in the crotch and seat area, such as briefs, hipsters or close-fitting shorts with a long leg. Prefer materials that wick away sweat well, such as cotton or microfibre, which has a soft, smooth surface. This choice is especially important for longer rides, to avoid irritation from the saddle.

• Specialist underwear and clothing: Use functional underwear specifically designed for riders, cyclists or dancers, with built-in padding for extra protection. Wearing a thin, smooth, perfectly fitting and non-slip layer such as fine tights directly on the skin can also help reduce the friction that can occur while sitting on the horse.

• Protective creams: Use special creams such as petroleum jelly, deer tallow or chamois creams offered for cyclists to reduce friction between clothing and skin. These creams often contain cooling, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and nourishing ingredients. Apply the cream both to the skin and to potentially irritating seams of the clothing to prevent saddle sores.

• Suitable outerwear: Choose outer clothing without thick seams in the crotch and on the inner thighs. Prefer riding trousers with a special cut without inner leg seams and with a large gusset in the crotch, to avoid pressure and friction – especially important for trail riding, where long periods are spent in the saddle.

The classic saddle – whether English, Western or baroque – was, like so many things in this world, not originally designed for women – and specifically not for the female pelvis, which differs significantly from a man's. Not every woman has a problem with saddles built within this tradition – but there are design details that generally make men's saddles less suitable for women and specifically promote saddle sores.

The seat of many saddles doesn't provide enough support for the more widely spaced female seat bones – which means the pubic bone is put under more strain when sitting in the saddle. This effect is amplified by the fact that, to sit balanced in the saddle, women have to tilt their pelvis slightly forward – so the seat bones can bear even less of the load.

On top of that, a steeply rising pommel is also problematic for the more flatly angled female pubic bone. In short (and not so good news): while riding, there are constant impacts and "jolts" between the saddle tree and the pubic bone, painfully crushing the sensitive tissue in between.

By the way: the problems described are not simply "just" painful (as if that weren't bad enough already). In fact, they impair riding movement in complex ways. Roughly speaking: to improve their balance and avoid pain, women in men's saddles tend to slide backwards. This gives the seat bones more support, but it means the rider sits behind the centre of gravity, easily falls into a chair seat, and also pushes the saddle forward – which in turn restricts the horse's movement.
 
Important to know: to some extent, though considerably less so, the same applies even to fully anatomically correct tree saddles: anyone who moves in the saddle all day puts a not-insignificant strain on the seat bones and pubic bone, even when everything about the seat area is perfect. Some riders try to find relief with a soft saddle pad (a sheepskin or gel pad). Iberosattel® has a solution that addresses the problem right where it starts: at the saddle tree.

With the proven Amazona solution and the Amazona solution 2.0, Iberosattel® has found solutions that are as simple as they are effective, allowing women in particular to ride considerably more comfortably in our saddles. (Although this feature is certainly also welcomed and appreciated by men...)
 
The "simple" Amazona solution consists of a cleverly placed central cut-out in the front part of the saddle tree, which relieves the pubic bone and thus enables a correctly balanced seat over the centre of gravity, pain-free. We can cover the cut-out with specially cut seat leather, or pad it with foam so that it's not visible from the outside at all. Our Amazona solution 2.0, available since 2011, additionally has two symmetrical cut-outs around the seat bones: for anyone who wants extra comfort there too on long rides.
 
In both cases, this is almost a foolproof remedy against pressure points! We're happy to bring our demonstration models with the Amazona solution and Amazona solution 2.0 to your saddle appointment – try the extra seating comfort on a test ride!

• Anatomically adapted design: The saddle trees of the Amazona solution are specially cut out for the needs of female riders while riding, allowing for a more comfortable and natural seating position in the saddle.

• Increased comfort in the saddle: The redesigned seat leather and the gentle recess in the saddle contribute to a noticeably improved level of comfort. These adjustments are especially beneficial for increasing comfort in the saddle while riding.

• Concealed, discreet variant for longer rides: The concealed version of the Amazona solution offers the same comfort but is visually inconspicuous, making it ideal for longer rides, such as trail riding.

• Prevention of saddle sores: Thanks to the improved fit and increased comfort, the Amazona solution can help reduce the risk of saddle sores.