Does the AK socket cause discomfort for the horse?
This question was brought up by Tim, in the Introductions forum. I added it as a topic here for more exposure.
Tim is concerned that being in the saddle for 10 or more hours a day may be causing injury to the horse's back. Tim does a lot of cattle work and is an above knee amputee.
Does anyone have input?
Ann
RAK amputee, Michigan
Western/Trail riding
Spotted Draft Horses
Re: Does the AK socket cause discomfort for the horse?
Tim,
I don't know specifically if this is a problem that the AK socket causes - but I definitely know it is a concern of mine. A treeless saddle was suggested to me as a good choice for my riding comfort, but I wondered that if the removal of the hard tree wouldn't allow the ear on the socket to put undue pressure on the horse's back. I can see after sitting on a soft seat, that there is an indentation from the ear (the piece that contains the ischium).
Here are some thing off the top of my head that may be helpful.
First, I would have a non-amputee, skilled rider ride your horse & saddle combo. I would have them work in all the ways that you are going to - cantering, roping, etc. Then remove the saddle & pad. Look for any dry spots on the horse's coat - those are points of pressure from the saddle. There should be an even amount of sweat under the entire saddle if it fitting properly. This is basic saddle fitting, and I will try to find a link for it and post later.
If the saddle is fitting the horse properly while an able-bodied person is riding, then I would have you ride the horse, then check under the saddle to see if your prosthesis is causing any pinch points. (Definitely, if the saddle is ill-fitting with an able bodied rider, then I would replace it.)
I can imagine that with your right leg being the prosthetic side - there could be an inbalance in your riding, causing more weight to be constantly put to the left side. If you feel that the horse is uncomfortable, you could try different saddle pads. I have heard that the memory foam, cushion type are great. I believe peole use them over a wool pad/blanket that helps with the sweat.
If your saddle is off to the left because of balance, you could try a breast collar if you're not using one. It may help keep the saddle from sliding too much to the left.
Definitely make sure that the saddle you are using is well-fitting from your horse. Then try to see if your riding is causing problems compared to an able bodied rider. Then, the specific problem could be addressed.
Have you seen discomfort in your horse now?
Ann
RAK amputee, Michigan
Western/Trail riding
Spotted Draft Horses
matty Registered Member
Posts: 2
(6/23/05 7:51 pm) Reply
Re: Does the AK socket cause discomfort for the horse?
Tim, Ann.
Hi
The AK socket can cause major discomfort to the horse if you ride for more than 30 minutes. it can cause muscle discomfort, muscle bruising and rubbing of the skin. you should slways ensure you have 2 saddle cloths (at least an inch thik each) between the horse and the saddle. If using western saddles this is not so much of a problem as the leather is one large piece. If using an english saddle be sure to check your horses sides for wear every 30 minutes. Every horse is different. I have had a person bring a horse to me that had completley lost the nerve sensation in one side because the person had not taken propper care of it. But if you take proper care of your horse you will get ears of riding and love out of it.
Re: Does the AK socket cause discomfort for the horse?
Matt,
Have you had experience with an AK riding in many different types of saddles? I am going to need to buy a new saddle soon. My current saddles are too heavy for me to lift (I have an arm injury as well as the AKA).
I ride western. I have looked at synthetic western saddles. They are lighter. I have also looled at the treeless saddles, but the lack of the hard tree barrier concerned me. Have you seen anyone use them?
I have even considered the Australian style saddles with a horn. They were interesting to me for a couple reasons. One, they looked as if they would be more comfortable for sitting. Two, I thought they would secure the seat better, since they have the front thigh stop. And last, the stirrup leathers are more like those in an english saddle - so I thought it may be easier to get the prosthetic foot into the stirrup, and the strap would be more forgiving to an odd hanging position than a western fender.
I am considering using an anti-slip pad covered by a regular saddle pad or blanket. That should be a good cushion for the horse. I have also seen some gel and foam seat covers (for your rear!) that may cushion some of the pressure from the socket. Have you had an experience with those?
Thanks!
Ann
RAK amputee, Michigan
Western/Trail riding
Spotted Draft Horses
new prosthesis and socket suggestions
Sandi here,
I am an AKA and am in the process of getting a new c-leg. I decided to give it a try. I am trying two different sockets out before they let me try the c-leg. Right now I am tring the one that comes up all the way up to the groin area and high up along the outer side. The temp one is cut real high(higher that it will really be) and the second one I will try next week will be one that is cut away in the groin and front area allowing you to actually cross your legs without it digging into your groin and hip when you sit. I just read the post about the prosthesis causing harm to your horse and I am wondering which one of these sockets will cause less harm (to horses,furniture and such) Any recommendations out there?
Thanks,
Sandi from Wisconsin
New to riding
AKA since 1971
matty Registered Member
Posts: 3
(6/26/05 9:19 pm) Reply
Re: new prosthesis and socket suggestions
Ann.
The Australian style of saddle you talk of is a Stock saddle. I use these my self and alo for some of the children i teach. The beauty of these saddles is that you will not come off the horse until the saddle does. I have prooved this and it is not something to try at home!! hahaha. the synthetic saddles are fantastic, light weight, strong, comfortable and soft. This not only benefits the horse, but also the rider. Depdnding on how long your stump is (we use the stump length to determine the best saddle to use) will depend on which of the saddles you use. If you use a prosthesis to ride this will not matter however. You are right about the western saddles being unfriendly on a prosthetic foot, but you will find that the synthetic saddles are not as unfriendly. The gell pads are a great idea, they can allow easier and more comfortable riding for both the rider and horse.
Sandie.
Unfortinantly not being an amputee i cant answer your question, Maybee Ann may be able to.
I have been talking with people about the Aussie saddles. It looks like there are a couple different styles of them. Some with horns and fenders (the western style) and ones without horns and the thinner, english style stirrup leathers.
Of the people that have tried them, they all tell me that the stirrup leathers, the thinner english style - pinch their legs constantly. These are able bodied riders. That concerns me, the pinching on my 'good' leg. What is your experience with that? Do the more western style Aussie saddles with the wider fender avoid this problem? Other than the pinching, everyone comments that they are comfy. I see that they are lighter than a similarly sized western saddle as well,which is a plus for me!
I checked out the different styles on eBay. I can post some pics if that will help discuss the different styles. I am going to be buying a new saddle soon, so I am curious to try different things!!
Sandi, I will start a new thread about socket types - there is some interesting discussion there!
Ann
RAK amputee, Michigan
Western/Trail riding
Spotted Draft Horses
matty Registered Member
Posts: 4
(6/28/05 4:37 am) Reply
Re: new prosthesis and socket suggestions
Hi Ann,
Ah yes the pinching problem, it is of concern to riders. I overcome this problem by changing the stirrup leathers in the cradle locks (the bit that holds the stirrup leathers onto the saddle).
Because in Australia we ave so many sports and jobs that still require horses, there are a million different saddletypes all based on one original design.
So where to start?
When buying a saddle i always look on the internet in different stores websites for styles and price lines, we have a chain in oz called horseland, they have lots of pictures and you could get some ideas of styles form there.
The second matter of concern is the pinching, i did experience alot of this and so did many of our riders, to overcome this we simply changed the stirrup leathers.
The major matter is comfort for both the rider and horses, because you are a keen rider and ride lots you will obviousley be wanting a very comfortable saddle. For a good safety barrier i would recomend thigh fenders over a horn (for obvious reasons) due to the added safety.
After all that babble i think i would recomend an ozzi styse stock saddle. Depending on the length of your stump would determine the size fenders you should have fitted to your saddle though.
So visit www.horseland.com.au for some style variations.
Ann
RAK amputee, Michigan
Western/Trail riding
Spotted Draft Horses
matty Registered Member
Posts: 5
(7/4/05 7:07 am) Reply
Re: new prosthesis and socket suggestions
Ann,
Absolutly spot on. That saddle looks fantastic. If you would feel comfortable using a saddle with fenderes, I would say you will never look back after using one. Let me know how it all goes.
Matt.
hogbody Registered Member
Posts: 1
(5/3/07 12:40 am) Reply
Re: new prosthesis and socket suggestions
hello spotted drafts, i found this page by accident while trying to find info about building a leather socket to put my residual limb in while breaking some new horses. I am not the most computer literate guy on the net so i skipped the intro page since i could not figure out how to do that one. I have been riding with my ak prosthesis about 5 years now. I have a well trained horse who pulls up to the fence for me to mount (except when she's moody). Anyway, I am also a prosthetist by trade and my wife and i have our own company in missouri. I was hoping to find a little help attaching a leather socket with a quick release in the event i wanted off. My problem now is that once they start bucking i usually end up on the ground.I really don't mind the flyin part, but the landing is a bear. Last time my shoulder was sore for months. any info or contacts you might have to help would be appreciated. Thanks.
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