Why You Can't Feel One (or Both) of Your Seat Bones in the Saddle
Here are ways to fix this problem--or saddle sores.
A reader asks: I can't feel one of my seat bones when I'm in the saddle. What's wrong?
Here's how to fix the problem. The same two solutions work if the problem is that one seat bone (or hip) hurts after riding, but not the other.
First, do you know whether one leg is shorter than the other? This is not uncommon. If this describes you, then you should not be setting your stirrups to the same length. If you do, the shorter leg will be reaching, meaning your seat bone on that side will float above the saddle. Adjust your stirrups so that you feel both seat bones, and don't listen to anyone who tells you to even them up.
Here's how to fix the problem. The same two solutions work if the problem is that one seat bone (or hip) hurts after riding, but not the other.
First, do you know whether one leg is shorter than the other? This is not uncommon. If this describes you, then you should not be setting your stirrups to the same length. If you do, the shorter leg will be reaching, meaning your seat bone on that side will float above the saddle. Adjust your stirrups so that you feel both seat bones, and don't listen to anyone who tells you to even them up.
Second, sit on a hard surface like a coffee table. Do you feel both seat bones evenly? If not, adjust your position so that you do. This may require rotating your pelvis under you more (so that you are not sitting on your crotch), or shifting your weight so that it is evenly balanced on both bones. (Many people lean a bit more to one side or other other, and are not aware of it. The seat bone on the side they lean will carry more weight than the other.)
For more about why riders have difficulty sitting properly in a dressage saddle, click here.
For more great articles on improving your riding skills, click here.
Copyright Denise Cummins February 4, 2016; updated March 3, 2020
The Thinking Equestrian
For more about why riders have difficulty sitting properly in a dressage saddle, click here.
For more great articles on improving your riding skills, click here.
Copyright Denise Cummins February 4, 2016; updated March 3, 2020
The Thinking Equestrian
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Denise Cummins has over 30 years experience as an equestrian and horse business owner. In The Thinking Equestrian, she shares valuable tips on caring for and training horses, giving riding instruction, and running a successful horse business.
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