I get them, it hurts, a lot. But you van avoid it when you have a better seat. Tilt your pelvis forward, your chest out and your heels down. I will take time and effort and an accasional blue ball or two. I think it's worth it. Just had a really good lesson with my regular grumpy lesson horse. We are really starting to be a team more and more.
Sometimes when I'm in a trot it happens that I hit my balls on the saddle. But that's only because I make a mistake. I don't have right fitting boxers as I don't like tight clothes but yeah. It definitely shouldn't happen and they should both probably look at their seat.
Probably a saddle that was to small for them. I am female and have experienced the cooter pain from a saddle that wasn't large enough in the seat for me.
2 different times in different places so presumably different saddles. My friend is a large man but his son is a tween— unlikely that the tourist saddle would be too big for him. Good thought though!
I've seen kids put into saddles that were too small. You've got a full trail ride and the only appropriate horse for the kid has too small of a saddle because you tacked up expecting a much smaller kid- you don't change tack and delay the ride, you just put him in the too small saddle. Happens all the time.
You may be exactly right. But 2 males of very different sizes, both go on 2 rides, at different places and even countries— Occam’s razor says it’s not saddle fit. But I could be wrong!
So, averagely, ladies are all smaller than fellas. Most saddles are for average ladies. So, very probable they have in fact, been riding in too small saddles
this was a big problem for me when i started riding. i had only female coaches, and it wasn't until i opened up to a super accomplished male rider that i got helpful feedback. rotating my hips back helped a ton. i was told by female coaches to post the trot slightly forward, like an airplane - this puts the boys right in line to get crushed. fixing it was really subtle, but it feels like this. imagine leaning far back in the saddle, pivoting back at the hips. then pitch forward from the top of the hips - so the pelvis is rotated back a bit. it feels worlds different, but it shouldn't look any different. tight boxers are also necessary, to keep the boys together, centered, and up.
Been riding for 15 years and never had any major issues with this, although it has concerned me about how my fertility will be affected in the long run. Generally, you should not be sat far enough forward for the pommel to put any pressure on them nor do (well mine at least) hang low enough for them to get in the way.
The only time I've had issues was on dodgy landings when doing XC or hunting.
there is a difference between men's & women's saddles-- even if not intentional. some saddles can be "too crowded up front". also: do not wear loose boxers! only briefs or tight boxer briefs. even still; after any time your ass leaves the saddle; you most likely have to adjust the boys, this is more so the older you are.
i even have an image i post in local barn to educate on male/female saddle positions.
this is a great one: [Anatomy](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221824062816465&set=a.3192191849408)
and here shows how different the resulting seat is: [Saddle fit](https://www.horsejournals.com/riding-training/tack-gear/english/saddle-fit-rider-male-vs-female)
like others are saying, he should be seated deeply on his bum to avoid harming himself. Maybe some training (if doable) could better improve his seat. if there’s any male trainer available that could also be a great option, as they have more personal experience with the your friends situation.
No idea. They went on 2 tourist rides , 2 different places (even different countries!)and felt the same thing both times. They’re very different sizes as people.
The thought never crossed my mind.
I wouldn’t wear baggy pants and underwear.
Everything is in the right place and doesn’t come in the way of riding a horse.
I’m 55 and started riding at 5.
Maybe my private parts got molded to fit the saddle while growing up.
In addition to the saddle, I’d wonder how they were sitting. For example, has anyone explained about their “seat bones”? On a tourist ride, they’d typically be sitting any old way, whereas they may need to actually tuck their pelvises in, to achieve a proper seat.
A pretty large number of men have a natural anterior pelvic tilt. (Since they are father and son, they may both have it!) This could mean that achieving a proper seat might require a much more exaggerated pelvic “tuck” than they would think of doing, on their own.
I can’t address underwear, because I have no idea what male riders normally wear, but I’d imagine that athletic undershorts could also help to keep testicles front and center, instead of hanging low.
I used to ride a lot and had this problem. If your sack hangs low, it can end up in uncomfortable places between your thighs, buttocks, and saddle.
The secret is to wear tight fitting briefs, and position your package up above your thighs before getting in the saddle. If things fall into an uncomfortable position while riding, discretely ride into the corner, stand in your stirrups, and reposition as necessary.
After a couple tries it becomes a (mostly) non-issue.
All the junk in one trunk, tighter underwear. Improper saddle fit for the rider causes a lot of pain up front and center for all sorts of folks — saddles made for men typically don’t have enough room in the seat for those with more in the hips, thighs, and rear and saddles made for women typically get up close and personal in the front while tilting the entire body back more if one doesn’t have as much going on behind. Having too long of stirrups may tilt someone forward and crotch: meet pommel, while too short may force someone to compensate harder onto the sensitive bits. A saddle that has too small of a seat is the worst of both worlds, forcing a rider with more behind up, forward, and off balance and forcing a rider with more in front to slam the goods into the pommel with each stride. Good riding position helps but doesn’t make a saddle that doesn’t fit the rider change its stripes.
Maybe. Playing with stirrup length can help *if* the seat and size of the saddle is acceptable to the rider. Otherwise it’s a bandaid for an issue that’s only going to make learning good position harder.
Wear something tight that keeps them in place. Generally you won't crush them, but if they have relatively free movement and it gets warm down y'know they'll find tehir way to the wrong place. I've kinde crushed mine once when my underwear was too loose, but otherwise it hasn't been a problem.
This issue was first brought to my attention years ago when someone commented to a little guy who was riding bareback that his pony was overweight. He pulled up, pointed to the furrow running along the pony’s spine between the fat rolls, said: “Crotch notch!”, grinned and trotted off.
It may have been the saddles. I'm a woman and have had a bruised coochie once or twice from a weird old saddle. I've ridden in some western saddles that had an oddly high pommel that sort of squished my pelvis even if I sat back and deep.
He has improper pelvic tilt. Men sit on their arse when their ride, so he just has to tilt his pelvis either back or forth, whatever it is more comfortable
Probably saddle was too small, I’ve had that problem years ago. Supportive underwear might help as well, I wear compression shorts to keep everything out of the way. Also try a sheep skin seat saver over the saddle, should help with cushioning as well
Ill fitting saddle? Medical issue? You don’t sit on your balls so idk what they were doing
Have you seen Randy from South Park?
I genereral you sit on your bum, not on your bollocks. Also, wear tight boxers.
I’ll tell them about tight boxers. I’ve never heard of this being a problem for men so I’m at a loss
I get them, it hurts, a lot. But you van avoid it when you have a better seat. Tilt your pelvis forward, your chest out and your heels down. I will take time and effort and an accasional blue ball or two. I think it's worth it. Just had a really good lesson with my regular grumpy lesson horse. We are really starting to be a team more and more.
I’ll teach them about position if they ever ride with me. Very exciting to see your own progress with a lesson horse!
It absolutely is. In particular when seeing people struggle with this paricular,and peculiar, horse. Even saddling him is a challenge in itself.
Sometimes when I'm in a trot it happens that I hit my balls on the saddle. But that's only because I make a mistake. I don't have right fitting boxers as I don't like tight clothes but yeah. It definitely shouldn't happen and they should both probably look at their seat.
Probably a saddle that was to small for them. I am female and have experienced the cooter pain from a saddle that wasn't large enough in the seat for me.
2 different times in different places so presumably different saddles. My friend is a large man but his son is a tween— unlikely that the tourist saddle would be too big for him. Good thought though!
I've seen kids put into saddles that were too small. You've got a full trail ride and the only appropriate horse for the kid has too small of a saddle because you tacked up expecting a much smaller kid- you don't change tack and delay the ride, you just put him in the too small saddle. Happens all the time.
You may be exactly right. But 2 males of very different sizes, both go on 2 rides, at different places and even countries— Occam’s razor says it’s not saddle fit. But I could be wrong!
So, averagely, ladies are all smaller than fellas. Most saddles are for average ladies. So, very probable they have in fact, been riding in too small saddles
this was a big problem for me when i started riding. i had only female coaches, and it wasn't until i opened up to a super accomplished male rider that i got helpful feedback. rotating my hips back helped a ton. i was told by female coaches to post the trot slightly forward, like an airplane - this puts the boys right in line to get crushed. fixing it was really subtle, but it feels like this. imagine leaning far back in the saddle, pivoting back at the hips. then pitch forward from the top of the hips - so the pelvis is rotated back a bit. it feels worlds different, but it shouldn't look any different. tight boxers are also necessary, to keep the boys together, centered, and up.
Super helpful— thanks!!
Been riding for 15 years and never had any major issues with this, although it has concerned me about how my fertility will be affected in the long run. Generally, you should not be sat far enough forward for the pommel to put any pressure on them nor do (well mine at least) hang low enough for them to get in the way. The only time I've had issues was on dodgy landings when doing XC or hunting.
Makes sense. I’ve never heard of it being an issue for men
there is a difference between men's & women's saddles-- even if not intentional. some saddles can be "too crowded up front". also: do not wear loose boxers! only briefs or tight boxer briefs. even still; after any time your ass leaves the saddle; you most likely have to adjust the boys, this is more so the older you are. i even have an image i post in local barn to educate on male/female saddle positions.
I’d love to see the image! That and tight boxers might make a difference for them
this is a great one: [Anatomy](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221824062816465&set=a.3192191849408) and here shows how different the resulting seat is: [Saddle fit](https://www.horsejournals.com/riding-training/tack-gear/english/saddle-fit-rider-male-vs-female)
like others are saying, he should be seated deeply on his bum to avoid harming himself. Maybe some training (if doable) could better improve his seat. if there’s any male trainer available that could also be a great option, as they have more personal experience with the your friends situation.
Do they know how to sit in a saddle? Is it deep seated?
No idea. They went on 2 tourist rides , 2 different places (even different countries!)and felt the same thing both times. They’re very different sizes as people.
The thought never crossed my mind. I wouldn’t wear baggy pants and underwear. Everything is in the right place and doesn’t come in the way of riding a horse. I’m 55 and started riding at 5. Maybe my private parts got molded to fit the saddle while growing up.
As a male who rides I can tell you underwear is key! Supportive athletic underwear has def been super helpful for this.
Male here and somewhat baffled. The only time the boys have had an issue is if I'm posting and something goes wrong.
Yeah that’s what my husband and son said too!
In addition to the saddle, I’d wonder how they were sitting. For example, has anyone explained about their “seat bones”? On a tourist ride, they’d typically be sitting any old way, whereas they may need to actually tuck their pelvises in, to achieve a proper seat. A pretty large number of men have a natural anterior pelvic tilt. (Since they are father and son, they may both have it!) This could mean that achieving a proper seat might require a much more exaggerated pelvic “tuck” than they would think of doing, on their own. I can’t address underwear, because I have no idea what male riders normally wear, but I’d imagine that athletic undershorts could also help to keep testicles front and center, instead of hanging low.
Yup, you and the other commenters have convinced me that their seat / pelvic tilt, combined with underwear, are key.
I used to ride a lot and had this problem. If your sack hangs low, it can end up in uncomfortable places between your thighs, buttocks, and saddle. The secret is to wear tight fitting briefs, and position your package up above your thighs before getting in the saddle. If things fall into an uncomfortable position while riding, discretely ride into the corner, stand in your stirrups, and reposition as necessary. After a couple tries it becomes a (mostly) non-issue.
Tighty whities not boxers. Gotta keep yer junk out of the way.
All the junk in one trunk, tighter underwear. Improper saddle fit for the rider causes a lot of pain up front and center for all sorts of folks — saddles made for men typically don’t have enough room in the seat for those with more in the hips, thighs, and rear and saddles made for women typically get up close and personal in the front while tilting the entire body back more if one doesn’t have as much going on behind. Having too long of stirrups may tilt someone forward and crotch: meet pommel, while too short may force someone to compensate harder onto the sensitive bits. A saddle that has too small of a seat is the worst of both worlds, forcing a rider with more behind up, forward, and off balance and forcing a rider with more in front to slam the goods into the pommel with each stride. Good riding position helps but doesn’t make a saddle that doesn’t fit the rider change its stripes.
Good synopsis! Might shortening the stirrups help a bit?
Maybe. Playing with stirrup length can help *if* the seat and size of the saddle is acceptable to the rider. Otherwise it’s a bandaid for an issue that’s only going to make learning good position harder.
Wear something tight that keeps them in place. Generally you won't crush them, but if they have relatively free movement and it gets warm down y'know they'll find tehir way to the wrong place. I've kinde crushed mine once when my underwear was too loose, but otherwise it hasn't been a problem.
This issue was first brought to my attention years ago when someone commented to a little guy who was riding bareback that his pony was overweight. He pulled up, pointed to the furrow running along the pony’s spine between the fat rolls, said: “Crotch notch!”, grinned and trotted off.
lol!
It may have been the saddles. I'm a woman and have had a bruised coochie once or twice from a weird old saddle. I've ridden in some western saddles that had an oddly high pommel that sort of squished my pelvis even if I sat back and deep.
I don’t think so— see my other comments— but thanks!
He has improper pelvic tilt. Men sit on their arse when their ride, so he just has to tilt his pelvis either back or forth, whatever it is more comfortable
Wear thin material compression shorts (eg you can get decent ones from Under Armour). Don’t perch forward. Sit on the seat bones/ more of the butt.
Not sure. There’s a few men who I know that ride. one does competitive eventing w no problems
Probably saddle was too small, I’ve had that problem years ago. Supportive underwear might help as well, I wear compression shorts to keep everything out of the way. Also try a sheep skin seat saver over the saddle, should help with cushioning as well
Do they not know how to adjust their junk? Make an adjustment and move on. Get it out of the way of getting hurt lol
They’re both highly intelligent and lifelong owners of said junk, so I’m guessing they know how to adjust it?