A saddle rack/stand that can be sat on… does such a thing exist?

[JBJ]

Random question I know! I don’t currently ride, as I have various disabilities and I’m hugely overweight, so wouldn’t inflict myself on a horse, but I’m losing weight and my aim is to be able to go to my local RDA once I’m down to their weight limit.

I used to have horses, in a previous life, and still have my old mare’s dressage saddle knocking around in my loft, and I’m curious as to whether my knees and back are actually up to sitting in a saddle for any length of time (appreciate that’s not the same as being in the actual horse!), but can’t work out what I could place it on to test this out. Any suggestions?

I’ve started incorporating some exercises into my day and was thinking of doing some of this whilst seated in a saddle, to work out if I can do it for one, and to start helping my core muscles to improve.

Don’t really want to spend much, but happy to look at options. Thanks for reading :)

Have a look online at free standing wooden saddle racks, some of the hand made / vintage ones look very sturdy. Hard to know without knowing your weight and height if they would be suitable. Possibly a bit high to get on to though.

Or what about some vintage gym equipment, a pommel horse or bench?

Yes, I looked at some of the wooden stands but, by god, they’re expensive! A pommel horse isn’t a bad idea, hadn’t thought of that.

My DH has a Stubbs fibreglass saddle horse (the tan coloured one with longer sides). It is very sturdy, and he uses this for people to sit on saddles to try out. It might be worth looking at one of those.

One of these? I’ve actually got one on my eBay watchlist, but wasn’t sure how strong it was, so was hoping to go and look at one in real life. That’s really helpful, thanks.

Tried to post a pic but it’s under review.

That is a similar thing - my DH's one has metal legs so it sits higher off the floor. I'm trying to attach a photo but I can't! (Sorry)

If you Google 'Stubbs Fibreglass saddle horse' it should come up.

I'm currently off riding after breaking my wrist and at my coach's suggestion I've been doing lots of heel lowering exercises (wearing boots) on the stairs.

You can add a sort of two-point effect by bending your knees and trying to balance with just the stirrup part of your foot on the stairs. Plus the risk of falling backwards down the stairs adds a realistic riding type frisson of danger to it!

I actually would break my neck 🤣 I’m not very good on my feet balance wise, due a brain injury leaving me with limited feeling on my left side, so don’t want to push my luck! But, yes, my instructor used to give me similar exercises years ago to improve leg position and balance. Might dust off the old aerobic step that’s also in my loft.

Aerobic step probably more practical that a plastic horse but less fun!

What about a saw horse, padded to protect the saddle? Likely to be cheaper than a saddle horse.

That’s a good idea! I think I might have one in the shed actually.

I have an old saddle on an ijoy riding exercise machine. Can usually get them on eBay

Disappears down riding exercise machine rabbit hole.....

Are you planning to use the old saddle on a real horse at any point? I ask, because putting it on a saddle horse and sitting on it may damage the tree. The Stubben plastic saddle hutch thing does at least mimic the shape of a real horse, and would support the tree properly if you sat on it, so how about putting one of those on a stout box or frame of some sort to give it more height.

I would be really careful about this as you could damage your saddle. You might be better paying for a mechanical horse session.

Do look up Aligned Equitation on Instagram, it is run by a riding coach Meg Parkinson who is also a yoga/pilates coach and has suffered a serious back injury. She posts some great exercises and does short ten minute strength and flexibility routines. All very safe and focused on protecting yourself. There's a subscription for the classes but lots of free content. She also has a saddle on a pole that she uses for exercise, she would probably be happy to tell you how she made it.

Probably not as it’s 20 years old at least, was 2nd hand when I got it and has been knocking around in my loft for years! I’m very unlikely to ever be in a position to have my own horse again sadly.

Thanks, I’ll look her up. Not too worried about the saddle to be honest, as I’d forgotten I’d not sold it until I found it in the loft and it’s very old now anyway.

I have both the Stubbs saddle horse (with legs) in my studio and also a saddle on an ijoyride machine at my desk at home. The ijoyride is lower if getting on and off is a concern - both are solid and take my weight happily :)

The ijoyride has the advantage of also having horse movement if you want to practice that, and is much better with a saddle than on its own, but is heavier to move.

I tried a saw horse and it was too wobbly - more padding might help.

Also the arm of the sofa - when saddle #3 arrived (I have become some kind of home for unwanted saddles despite not having a horse) I put it on the arm of my sofa temporarily and reckon it would have been ok to sit on.

I prefer sitting on a saddle to sitting on a chair at my desk 🤣

Edited to add - the Stubbs was £200ish new, which I appreciate is a lot but I couldn't find any second hand, the ijoyride I bought in 2008 from eBay for about £50 and they do still come up for not a lot of money :)

If you fancy a sit on a robot horse some branches of go outdoors have them. Could be worth asking to see if you can have a go.

I saw one of those ijoy things on marketplace the other day actually. Might have another look for the advert.

I do fancy a go, but I’m not ready to embarrass myself in public at the minute 🤣

Back of the settee?

It’d tip straight over!

Just thought I’d update this thread - I dug out my saw horse and have been using that with the saddle and padding underneath. It’s not ideal as it’s very wobbly (but actually that’s not a bad thing as it’s forcing me to use my core muscles for balance!) but it’s working well to sit on whilst I do arm and stretching exercises. Good news is, I can support myself without too much pain for about 45 minutes, so it’s looking like I may be able to ride a real horse again at some point, although I do need to get hold of some stirrup leathers and irons, as not tried my knees in that position for long! 3.5st done, 5 to go until I’m at the weight limit for my local RDA 😀😄

I've attached a pic of the saddle on saw horse, currently crammed in the corner in my conservatory amongst my camping stuff!