[ewells]

Ok dont too hard.. Many of us have experienced this and I am currently enjoying a several month run of recurrently getting abrashions on my rear end from riding. Specifically the canter. Not only is this painful it is frustrating. I have employed several stratagies to counter it including granny underwear and spandex shorts. I have talked to my trainer about it and do believe that it is obviously something I am doing in the canter to make it happen. I last summer really made an effort to improve the swing in my hips while sitting the canter and to loosen up in my pelvis which I think I have really made headway in but now I am getting RAW over the deal. My mares canter right now is bigger and better than ever, she feels really good to me and a lot less blocked by me so I am inclined to think that I am doing more right than wrong based on her way of going. So this comes back to the problem the Pain in my Butt Per say what say you COTHers?

[ThreeFigs]

JellyPantz saved my a$$. When these abrasions happen to you, they're NOT funny!

A few years ago I was rubbed bloody at a VERY intense clinic. (Yes, saddle fits fine, TYVM) Over the years I've tried several remedies, but JellyPantz, weird though they are, work.

Especially if the parts affected are the lady bits...

[TequilaMockingbird]

I used to have this problem as well. It was really annoying. When I changed from a ex-hunter rider that was teaching me dressage to a very good dressage instructor, the problem went away completely.

To this day I'm not sure exactly what it was as I changed so many things in my position for the better that I can't really pinpoint it. I think part of it was I was not really following the movement of the horse's back at the canter so there was a lot of friction between the saddle and my behind that isn't there if you're really sitting.

I also used to get a very painful crotch from sitting trot. Now that I am no longer sitting with my pelvis tilted forward, that is never a problem. If it were a problem one day, I'd know I was doing something very wrong. I think the forward tilted pelvis and hollow back is also what kept me from properly following the canter in a deep seat.

[Petstorejunkie]

I remember that phase! ugh! it sucked
1. thongs
2. moleskin (dr scholl's stuff. cut to fit and place over your clean arse on the offending spot. let it fall off naturally)
3. quit clenching your bum cheeks
4. grab your bum cheek and move it out of the way so that your seat bones are as close to the saddle as humanly possible

[twelvebelles]

I've never gotten butt burn from a saddle, but I once did a hunt seat lesson in a polo-style saddle and I can't tell you how wrong that felt afterwards. I use seamless underwear for runners by Jockey, or just go commando in tighter breeches.

Underwear aside, though, it sounds like maybe you could be swinging your hips too much and your butt is sliding across the saddle, hence the sores? Your lower back should be relaxed and your hips should flex with the horse's movement, but your butt shouldn't be moving around. You want your hips to move with the horse, but your leg to remain soft and steady underneath you so you can absorb the shock of the horses movement in your calves and ankles instead of relying on your waist to take it all. Make sure you keep your knees relaxed as your hips come forward. Easier said than done, I know! I'm guilty of bringing my knees up sometimes and I will start bouncing, which I hate myself for doing!

[Bristol Bay]

Your saddle does not fit you or your horse. That's my guess.

And, if you wear full seats, go back to the knee patch breeches and there will be less friction.

[columbus]

Anti-Monkey Butt Powder
http://www.antimonkeybutt.com/

[columbus]

How many times in your life do you get to post THAT!!! Life is good.

[baroqueNheart]

This is a saddle fit issue. If your saddle is balanced on your horse and you are comfortable enough to sit deeply, there shouldn't be a lot of friction between you and the saddle. I speak from experience.

[mvp]

3. quit clenching your bum cheeks
4. grab your bum cheek and move it out of the way so that your seat bones are as close to the saddle as humanly possible

What?

Who clenches their a$$ while riding? Does that really happen to some folks? How? Why?

I kinda, sorta get rearranging the butt cheeks, but no one is really moving those to full, "spread eagle" position.

Or maybe I'm missing something?

[BigBayHanoMare]

What?

Who clenches their a$$ while riding? Does that really happen to some folks? How? Why?

I kinda, sorta get rearranging the butt cheeks, but no one is really moving those to full, "spread eagle" position.

Or maybe I'm missing something?

I'm a butt-clencher. I tighten up as I ride, from trying to get my legs and hips to do things but am using the wrong parts, getting frustrated, etc. It just...happens. I can't really explain it, but I rode with a biomechanics instructor who would use me as an example and tell other students, "Don't do that with your @$$!"

[Petstorejunkie]

I'd say more than 50% of LL rider have more than appropriate necessary tone in their cheeks. The problem starts to become evident when they learn to sit the trot. The crucial psoas (maintains the strong, tall, following torso without wiggle) muscle cannot activate at the same time as the butt muscles. If the bun is tight, one cannot sit properly.

[merrygoround]

Bodyglide, found in runners shoe stores will help. Also found in bicycle shops.

But only you with the help of an instructor can root out the cause.

[caballero]

What?

Who clenches their a$$ while riding? Does that really happen to some folks? How? Why?

I kinda, sorta get rearranging the butt cheeks, but no one is really moving those to full, "spread eagle" position.

Or maybe I'm missing something?

I wonder the same things....Between this thread and the one on underwear chafes, I struggle between what the fruitbat and TMI.

FTR I don't suffer from either issue.

[Char0308]

I use Bodyglide and wear padded bike shorts inside out under my breeches; its only thing that helped me and I still get a little rub now and then but never the super raw sore I use to get on occasions in the past

[ewells]

Thank you all for the replies and some very interesting ideas to try. I havent noticed that I have a butt clenching issue but I will pay more attention next time I ride. I am working on the tall following torso so maybe that is part of it. My rubbing is happening in the tail bone area thank goodness no girl parts involved.
I knew someone would metion the Monkey Butt product havent tried it myself but too funny it might work my Hubby says motorcycle racers get a lot of friction and use it with good success..

[Equibrit]

If you are getting sores from riding - SOMETHING IS WRONG. Fix the cause, not the symptom.

[GotMyPony]

My female gyno, who rides bicycles and motorcycles long distance, told me to try "Butt Butter." I haven't looked for it yet but I'm guessing you can find it in cycling stores or probably online.

[kcmel]

I don't get abrasions, but man my older Stubben's seat is hard! One time I forgot to put my sheepskin seat saver on it and had a lunge lesson. OUCH!! My butt hurt for a week!

[J-Lu]

I'm going to risk the TMI route, because I just had this discussion with great friend/trainer three weeks ago. Take this for what it's worth....

WE think that this butt abrasion comes from breeches and underwear that sort of squish your buttcheeks together. Things that help are: thin thongs - your cheeks aren't squished together, baggier breeches - the skin-tight ones can squish your cheeks together, knee-patch not full seat - the clarino can feel diaper-like and be abrasive to your butt. People sometimes DO ride with clenched butt muscles and that also doesn't help, either. Each of the above can lead to abrasion when riding.

Sorry if this is TMI for some.