Product: Sheepskin seat saver
Brand: Christ Lammfelle
Recommended? Yes
Horse Trail Chicks’ rating: 5 carrots out of 5
I don’t know about you, but after a couple of hours in the saddle (okay, one hour), my butt hurts. If I could afford a really nice endurance saddle, I could solve this problem, but I can’t. The next best thing is what is referred to in polite circles as a “seat saver” but which I call a butt pad, tush cush, etc.
A few years ago I bought a foam-padded seat saver for a riding vacation in Alberta, Canada and though it helped a little, I would not say it “saved” my seat, and it didn’t fit the saddle very well. Since then, I’ve had my eye out for a new one, but I did not want to spend money on something that, again, would disappoint me.
When I saw that Arctic Horse was starting to offer a sheepskin seat saver, I was intrigued. This company provides only high-quality products that are based on intensive research and design, so I knew it was worth looking into. I was impressed by the simplicity of the design and the quality of the merino wool, imported from Germany. [Being of German ancestry, I also know how compulsive Germans are about perfection in everything.]
At $99, the English version of the seat saver was within my price range, so I ordered one in black (they also offer Western and endurance models). It arrived within a few days and when I took it out of the package I was impressed with how soft it was. The tanning of the leather on the underside was excellent – buttery soft, and the wool was fluffy and soft with no itchiness. Attaching it to my saddle was easy – there is an adjustable strap that goes fore and aft (pommel to cantle), and elastic straps that tuck underneath the skirt to secure it side-to-side. I am not sure the skirt straps are even necessary because the underside – being real sheepskin – is tacky enough that it adheres to my saddle perfectly. I was concerned about the pad shifting while riding but I would say there is zero shifting. Kerrie even jumped with it and felt completely stable in the saddle. The design does not interfere with anything – I can still attach a breastplate to the D-rings, use a cantle bag, etc.
The real test is how comfortable it is. I recently spent 4 days riding several hours every day at the Otter Creek Horse Trail System in northern New York, and my butt was much happier than it was on this same trip 2 years ago. Just a little extra cushion can make a world of difference. And although it seems counter-intuitive, I am cooler than I would be without it. I don’t really know why, but I guess that sheepskin wicks moisture away and provides more airflow than when you are glued to your saddle with sweat on a hot summer day. In the winter it will keep me warmer in the saddle, too, for obvious reasons.
When I first put the seat saver on my saddle I tightened the strap too tightly, causing it to bunch up when I sat in it. It was uncomfortable in the very center and I thought there was a seam down the middle which, of course, would make no sense at all. There is, in fact, no seam and once I loosened the strap the pad was able to conform to the saddle and I have had absolutely no discomfort since then – only comfort!
At this point, I just keep seat saver on my trail saddle and have no intention of removing it – ever.
Where to order: from Arctic Horse
Price: $99 for English saddles, $125 for Western saddles, $145 for Endurance saddles.
Monica
