Ouch! Whether you’re a novice horse rider or an experienced equestrian sportsperson you’ve no doubt experienced the dreaded human version of the notorious saddle sore. While we are taught to check our horse’s skin and tack carefully to make sure that our activities are not causing pain to our four-footed friends, once that is taken care of me should turn our attention to ourselves.

Saddle sores are not only prevalent in horseback riding activities, but they are also a common affliction of cyclists due to the similar interactions between your bum and the bicycle saddle. These similarities have resulted in some cross over sports underwear in addition to specific equestrian underwear.

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The horror of saddle sores

So what exactly is a saddle sore? A human saddle sore is a problem occurring in an area where your body comes into contact with the horse’s saddle. They are caused by chafing, sweat and/or pressure in a specific area.

The first sign of a saddle sore is often an area of tenderness that may look like a rub or abrasion.

The second stage can look a lot like acne, a pimple or an ingrown hair that can be caused by infected hair follicles. Some versions are larger and look more like a boil, these are often more painful.

Saddle sores are treated by avoidance of pressure and abrasion on the affected area and keeping the area clean and dry with breathable clothing. Epsom salt baths and topical ointment can assist with areas of broken skin and warm compresses can help with ingrown hairs. You should see your doctor if you have any concerns, signs of infection, excessive pain, saddle sores that keep reoccurring or ones that last longer than two weeks.

So how do you prevent saddle sores?

The general advice if you’re a cyclist suffering from saddle sores is to replace your saddle and adjust your saddle fit; not so easy to do when you’ve finally got a saddle that fits that awkwardly shaped thoroughbred!

The first step is to check that your underwear or jodhpurs don’t have a tag, a loose thread or a funny worn patch that is causing the rub, and also that if it’s on your legs that your stirrup leathers are hanging vertically and that you’re not pinching with your knees (a friend on the ground can help with this, although often losing your stirrups can be a sign that this is occurring). Check the saddle flocking, the knee rolls and fit to both you and your horse if your leg has difficulty with hanging on the vertical.

Make sure that your underwear and jodhpurs are clean and dry when you start your ride if at all possible (difficult if you’ve got a dribbly pony I know). If nothing helps, its time to explore sport-specific horse riding underwear.

Equestrian Underwear – what makes it special?

Like all sport-specific underwear, horse riding underwear should let you complete your sport with the necessary support and in comfort. It addition, it shouldn’t be visible under standard riding attire (no VPL, and no bra peeking out under that show shirt) and should provide you with the same thermal control properties as other athletic garments.

Equetech (Affiliate Link)

UK manufacturer Equetech make both women’s and men’s padded underwear targeted directly at the horse riding market. For ladies there either bikini (high cut legs)

or dressage brief (lower cut leg with hip, pelvis and tummy support)

cuts with three levels of padding available:

• Classic – low protection, low impact, fabric-lined gusset and seat
• Primo – medium front protection, fabric-lined seat
• Plus – high protection to the front and seat

Whereas for the men, there are boxers available in Classic or Plus protection.

Both men’s and ladies versions are available in black or white (except the dressage brief which is only available in white), with non-chaff leg binding, seam-free seats and a comfort waistband.

Derriere Equestrian (Affiliate Link)

Derriere Equestrian is designed specifically to remove chafing, saddle sores and rubbing of seams from equestrian activities while providing the ultimate in riding support and comfort for men and women. They use seamless, ergonomic and anatomically sensitive design to avoid fabric edges existing where the saddle will contact the body. The breathable, wicking fabric removes perspiration for temperature comfort during and after the ride, with an optional scientific padding system.

These should be machined washed on a delicate cycle at 30 degrees only with no chlorine, no bleach and no fabric softener. Do not tumble dry, do not leave unwashed as residual sweat will damage the fabric.

For the ladies:

• Derriere G
  
  • Thong cut
  • available in size range from UK 6 to UK 14, US 2 – US 12
  • nude colour only

• Derriere Equestrian Performance Panty
  • Brief cut panty
  • bonded seam design
  • elastic waistband
  • available in size range from UK 6 to UK 18, US 2 – US 16
  • Available colours: white, black, purple and nude

• Derriere Equestrian Performance Padded Panty
  • Brief cut panty
  • bonded seam design
  • incorporating the Derriere Equestrian Padded Support System
  • elastic waistband
  • available in size range from UK 6 to UK 18, US 2 – US 16
  • Available colours: white, black, purple and nude

• Derriere Equestrian Performance Seamless Shorty
  • Boyshort cut panty
  • produced without side seams
  • elastic waistband
  • available in size range from UK 6 to UK 18, US 2 – US 16
  • Available colours: white, black and purple

• Derriere Equestrian Performance Padded Shorty
  • Boyshort cut panty
  • produced without side seams
  • elastic waistband
  • incorporating the Derriere Equestrian Padded Support System
  • available in size range from UK 6 to UK 18, US 2 – US 16
  • Available colours: white, black and purple

For the men:

• Derriere Equestrian Performance Seamless Shorty
• 
  • Boxer Brief
  • produced without side seams
  • integrated waistband
  • available in size range from Small to Large
  • Available colours: white and black

• Derriere Equestrian Performance Bonded Padded Shorty
  • Boxer Brief
  • produced without side seams
  • with a waistband
  • available in size range from Small to Large
  • Available colours: white, black and purple

Seducci Equestrian Underwear

Seducci equestrian underwear is specifically designed for horseback riding and actually has a 100% guarantee against riding sores. They will actually refund your purchase if you still end up with a saddle sore!

Uniquely Seducci Equestrian underwear sizing is based on leg circumference rather than waist size. They specify that for true invisibility to make sure you select your underwear size correctly so that the leg elastics aren’t visible but if that isn’t successful then the leg elastics can be cut off (or the “Zero” version should be selected) but it must be done following the instructions on the Seducci website.

These boxers are truly seamless with the exception of the joins on the elastics. They are highly breathable and moisture-wicking as well as suitable to be machine washed at 40 degrees (in their provided washing pouch to protect from velcro items in the wash) and tumble dried normally. However, there are no white options available for men or women, increasing the chance that these may show through white breeches, and no option for padding if that is part of your criteria.

Update Jan 2021 – See the Seducci comment below, grey and Iris colours are recommended for use with white breeches, and a padded option is coming soon! Also, for those running – the Breezy boxer has been recommended!

For the ladies

• Breezy Boxer Jane
  • available with or without leg elastics
  • choice of 4 colours
  • 3 leg circumferences

For the men

• Breezy Boxer Joe
  • available with or without leg elastics
  • in a choice of 2 colours
  • 2 leg circumferences

So how to choose?

The majority of casual riders seem to avoid specially designed horseback riding underwear in favour of trying to remember to choose a minimal chafe pair of standard underwear at the beginning of the day which has been reported to be a hit or miss approach. Some of those trying a specially padded version of equestrian underwear have found they feel quite awkward on the ground, but come into their own on the horse.

To start with I think I’ll go for a middle ground, with lots of styles to choose from as a woman (sorry boys – I hope you like boxer briefs) and a history of endurance riding my first choice for riding only would be the Breezy Boxer Jane without leg elastics. For the days when I work before I ride, the Derriere Performance panty would be first out of the lingerie drawer, colour to be outfit dependent!

Update

I did an unexpected 10-mile hack (trail ride in North America) on a Polo pony and while I had my riding clothes with me, what I didn’t have was any sensible riding underwear at all. I know this seems odd, but I keep most of my sports equipment in my van because it doesn’t fit well in my house (in the UK it’s a thing not to have closets, strangely enough, storage is a big issue). So, running underwear to the rescue. Having recently reviewed the Runderwear Women’s G String and have found it amazing for not moving while running, I decided to give it a go… and I was amazed. This was the first time I’ve ever had a comfortable ride in a thong, so I highly recommend you check it out if you fancy a multitasking pair of sports underwear!

How about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts on equestrian underwear in the comment section, have you tried it? What are your reviews?

As a keen rider, you should also check out our post on the 3 Best Horseback Riding Sports Bras.

Please note, this page contains affiliate links, our policy on affiliate links can be found here.