When I first started riding again after my accident, I expected my ankle to hurt. I worried my knee would hurt. I felt like I had to protect my body.
What I didn’t expect was that my seat bones would hurt! Let’s face it, before my accident, my rides were pretty active. My weight was in my legs as we were trotting and cantering a lot. During my recovery, I’ve been walking. A lot. I’m out of shape, my horses are out of shape and my legs are still regaining their strength. What I’ve discovered is that my beloved saddles are hard!
I’ve tried seat savers in the past. I’ve owned sheepskin ones, a Cashel seat saver, a Thinline seat saver . . . none of them really worked for me. It was a Goldilocks kind of situation. Some were two thick, which changed the way my saddles fit (making them slightly too small). Or they moved too much on the saddle, which felt insecure, or they just didn’t improve the comfort enough.
When Country & Stable asked me if I’d like to try a product and write about it, the Acavallo seat savers immediately spoke to me (although it was hard to choose because they have a lot of cool products). I’d just purchased the Acavallo Arena Stirrups and I like the quality of their products. Imagine my delight when they sent me two: the Acavallo Gel Out Cushion Ride Seat Saver and the Acavallo Gel in Seat Saver. One for each horse!
Like all Acavallo products, these are well made and well packaged. Right out of the box there were several things that I liked about them:
- They attach to the saddle using a strap that goes from front to back and with pockets for the skirt (the flaps the cover the stirrup bars). This is a much better design than some of the ones I’ve tried before which you needed to tie to the D rings or which use elastic side straps. Those never stay put and the one thing less comfortable that riding without a seat saver is having one get twisted under your leg.
- They cover the seat of the saddle completely.
- Each model has a good layer of gel. Definitely they looked comfortable!
Installation
The pads arrived without instructions. After all, how hard can it be to put on a seat saver? Mostly, attaching them to my saddle was straightforward. You put the saddle skirts in the pockets, then bring the strap from the pommel to where it attaches at the cantle. The velcro closure for the strap under the saddle is secure. I’ve ridden several times in each saddle and have had no problems with the strap coming loose. Because of the pockets for the skirt flaps, the pads also have lateral stability.
There was only one mystery when setting up the pads. There are two straps on the rear of the pad which completely baffled me. Luckily, I’m not the first person to have this question and Google helped me understand that these straps are designed to be tucked under the panel of the saddle, into the gullet. Some people find they don’t need them and choose to cut them off. I tucked mine in under the panel and they seem to be fine. Certainly, they didn’t bother my horses and they stayed put.
Saddle Fit
I ordered the Large size in each design, which the website says is suitable for saddles 17.5″-18″. I used this on a Kieffer Norbert Koof FL and a Jeffries JMX. The Kieffer measures at 17.25″ and the Jeffries at 17.5″. The seat savers fit just fine and could easily accommodate an 18″ saddle.
Rider Fit
One of my concerns was that a seat saver would take up too much room and change how the saddle fits me. Certainly, this has been a problem with seat savers in the past. It’s not a great trade off if the seat is softer but also too small! I ride in a 17.5″ -18″ saddle, so the Kieffer is just on the edge for me.
Ahhh! That was my immediate response when I lowered myself onto the saddles and found cushioning! This was particularly evident with the Kieffer (German saddles are not known for being soft!). These seat savers are exactly as advertised. They give a delightful layer of softness that makes riding at the walk for longer times much easier on my seat bones and which would be a benefit for long rides at any gait. I can also see that they also help absorb shock and would be great for riders with back issues.
The gel is definitely thicker on the Gel Out Cushion Ride (20 mm thick) than on the Gel In version 10 mm) that I received, but each provides enough cushioning to feel great but not leave you feeling perched. The gel did not make me feel at all unstable, in fact, the “stickiness” of the gel out pad is very comforting without being annoying. Note: I do not ride in full seat breeches. That might be too much security! I did not stick to the seat at a trot or canter and both seat savers stayed secure and in place.
Equally important as the nice soft cushioning is that neither of the two seat saver designs changed how the saddles fit me.
Aesthetics
There’s no question that the Gel-In version of the seat saver has a more traditional appearance. I don’t mind the way the Gel-Out seat saver looks, but if you want something that blends in more or which isn’t so obvious, the Gel-In is the way to go. The sueded finish of the Gel-In seat saver isn’t that noticeable. If you are looking for a bit more security and you don’t mind the honeycomb appearance, the Gel Out is slightly more comfortable. As you can see, the brown version of these seat savers match the color of the Kieffer better than the dark brown of the Jeffries. For minimal visual impact, I’d probably order a black version for a very dark brown saddle.
I was worried that the sticky surface of the Gel-Out version would attract dust and bits of hay. So far, that hasn’t been an issue.
Do I recommend the Acavallo Seat Savers?
Absolutely and without hesitation. I think that when I start hunting again in the fall, one of these will definitely be on my saddle.
Ordering from Country & Stable was also a very pleasant experience. Their website is easy to navigate and the shipment came very promptly. At no time did I feel like I was compromising by ordering from another country.
Wish I had read your post a few weeks ago. Just purchased a ThinLine seat saver. It is okay, it doesn’t seem to move around, it fits my dressage saddle (Hastilow) okay with a few wrinkles, but not sure it will really help save my seat on some long, long upcoming rides. I’ll have to report back on it.
Sorry about that! I only just had the chance to ride in these. Seriously, they are incredibly comfortable. I’ve tried many others and never found them to help much. Please tell me how you like the ThinLine one after you’ve had the chance to ride in it more.
Reblogged this on Treeless Saddles Tried and Tested and commented:
Well written review on the acavallo seat saver
I was so pleased to see this post! I have lower back issues and was researching seat savers. I was specifically curious about the gel in or gel out. I was worried the gel out would be too sticky. I’m definitely buying the gel out in black.
These are by far the most comfortable seat savers I’ve ever used and when people borrow my saddle they always comment on it.
And they are not so sticky that everything sticks to them. I have a non slip pad of similar materials and it attracts all kind of dust and dirt. The seat saver isn’t that bad and it’s also extra cushiony. My favorite of the two :).
I enjoyed reading the overview on the Acavallo gel in and the gel out, However the main reason for reading this is for me to understand the difference between the in and out and exactly what the two differing types are designed to do, unfortunately I am non the wiser. I had hoped to understand the difference before ordering, so for me other than a cosmetic look between the smooth finish of the gel in and the mesh stickier type of the gel out I am non the wiser in terms of shock absorption and what part of the body the two are designed to focus upon. Please would you advise before I make a purchase, many thanks
Hello Ally — The gel out version of the pad is thicker and absorbs more shock. It is also stickier, so offers some extra security. I don’t understand your second question about the part of the body that they focus on, as they are identical in the fit on your saddle. Of the two, I prefer the gel out in terms of overall comfort, but use the gel in version when foxhunting because of aesthetics. Does that help?
Thank you so much for all your information! Extremely helpful! I have 3 torn discs in my back with quite a bit of arthritis in hips and ankles. I am going to order the Gel out. Also, how did you like the Arena stirrups?
I hope you find it as comfortable as I do! I like the Arena stirrups but prefer the SafeStyle, mostly because those are forward turned, so they are slightly easier to pick up. The wider footbed of the Arena is comfortable, so I guess they both have their advantages.
Wondering what the material of the gel-in pad is? Is it leather, suede, what? I’m concerned about staining on the gel-in. Would this be a problem?
Hello, Thank you for your review on the Gel In – Gel Out… I have a 17″ saddle.. Not sure whether to order the M or L because M is 16-17″, L is 17 to 18. So my 1st question would be is the seat saver true to size. Would M be right for me? I have a Toulouse Comfort fit 17″. My 2nd Question: I use my saddle mostly for flat work, trial ride. Some jump. I am older person. I am thinking about the Gel out 20mm for comfort. What would be better, Gel in or Out for the type of riding I do? Thanks
I use a large on my 17.5″ saddles and it’s pretty roomy. The pads are slightly stretchy so you’d likely be fine with the M. However, you could check with the tack store before ordering.
In terms of comfort, yes, the gel out is very cushy and it is the one I prefer!
Really need the padding!
But I am wondering if the Gel Out at 20 MM means you have to change your stirrup length?
I have a Wintec Dressage saddle and it is really hurting my tush on long trail rides.
Does the Gel out make you feel so high that you feel unstable?
Thanks so much for helping me understand!
Anne
No, you don’t have to change your stirrup length and I don’t feel unstable. Compared to a lot of other seat savers I’ve tried (like the sheepskin ones) it also doesn’t make the seat feel smaller. Now, I have used mine on a saddle with a low cantle, so your experience might be different. I love it!
Thanks for your prompt replay!
So you don’t feel like you are sitting too high? (sorry to ask, but I want to make sure I order the correct one).
It seems like 20MM would make you sit really high…
I do not feel perched. The gel compresses. However, I don’t want to steer you wrong. I live outside of Boston. If you are anywhere close by, I’d be happy to let you try mine.
Please excuse me, but can you compare the gel out to the Acavallo Gel Out Seat Saver – Ortho Coccyx? is it better to have a cut out?
That I can’t help you with. Haven’t tried it.
ThNk you for this blog I have the gell out coccyx version. Love the cushioning but makes my saddle a bit too wide across the stirrup flaps, it’s a very wide flat Fylde show saddle. I will give the gell in version a try .
Hope it works for you. I love them!