Sore bits...

[PerfectlyChaotic]

Having not ridden for years I'm very much loving being back in the saddle, albeit just once a week for a hours lesson.

The enjoyment is being just slightly spoiled for me by the fact that my, erm, lady bits are very bruised and sore afterwards. I am reluctant to share this really, but I am quite keen to find a solution... Is my position awfully wrong? Am I wearing the wrong clothes? Is there something very wrong with me?

Thoughts, sniggers, sympathy gratefully received!

Well it could be the wrong clothes, I had a pair of jodhs years ago that had a very uncomfortable seam which rubbed, and jeans can be awful too. Or perhaps you've got the wrong knickers? Assuming your position is ok (are you sure you aren't perched forwards?) then maybe the saddle doesn't suit you. Perhaps ask to try another horse and see if the same thing happens?

I found the saddle did this to me... Honestly I had huge blisters!

I changed saddle and it was much better. Although I appreciate if your on a school pony that isn't an option.

I found liberal application of ky helped stop it rubbing so much.

when I read your thread title I was thinking you meant you were chafing a bit between the cheeks, in which case I would recommend sudocrem but further south I am not so sure, perhaps a little less sitting trot and some leisurely hacks until you are back in riding shape?

I think it is your seat.

If you are still slightly anxious/nervous you may (without being aware of it) leaning too much forward, rather than sitting properly at your bottom like you are sitting on a swing and pushing the swing forwards with your weight.

Same for rising trot, when you sit lean a bit more back.

It should resolve itself once your seat improves.

Vaseline and mummy pants recommended!

Thanks all...I will try your suggestions. Relieved to find that it's not just me - was beginning to slightly panic that there was something anatomically wrong!!

Hate to say but your bits will toughen up.

It can be the saddle, a high pommel or a seam, or a surcingle. You need big pants, no sanitary towel / pantyliner. If you use a tampon tuck the string inside. And sit on your seat bones, not your "fork". Really think about sitting back and keeping your chin and chest up. You could consider a seat saver, though they are not a universal fit and if it's not on the saddle properly might make things worse, so might not work on a riding school.

Really big pants a la Bridget Jones or you can buy "dressage knickers" which are basically really big pants with a giant sanitary pad sewn in.

A quick google for dressage knickers reveals the stunning phrase "battered minge".

no sanitary towel / pantyliner. If you use a tampon tuck the string inside.

God no! A mooncup is the only answer I promise. I so wish I'd discovered them years ago.

Yikes Cairngorms, am crossing legs!

I think I see where I'm going wrong Pixel, but really?!! I'm not sure I like the idea of them, not that I've ever tried.... Suspect the best part of an hour spent doing trot canter transitions without stirrups probably didn't help much either, ouch!

haha I feel your pain - literally! I took a nearly 10 year break from riding and when I went back I asked the instructor to go easy on me. He had me trotting & cantering for an hour without stirrups. When I got home I peeled off my jods & pants and all my pubes fell out too. Lesson learned - don't wear small, pretty pants.

:o Stop! I can't bear it! But then it got better, didn't it?

I find I get awfully sore seat bones and bruised flaps when I ride for the first few times after a long time off riding. Granny pants, heather Moffat seat saver and ibuprofen help until i toughen up again.

pissing myself at cairngorms pubes falling out sorry!

I was riding a different horse at my riding school htis weekend (instructor said I was getting 'too comfortable' with the one I've been riding recently and wanted to swap me!) and I kept catching my bits on the pommel of his saddle. I know it was because I was leaning forward and not rising properly and this was because I was stupidly nervous about this horse, so would second the advice that it's your position that's causing the problem and things will get better!

I think it was the pants! Found some totally seam-free and no sore bits, even with no stirrups :) Huge relief! Thanks x