Life Science Encyclopedia

A saddle sore is a skin ailment on the buttocks due to, or exacerbated by, riding on a bicycle saddle. It often develops in three stages: skin abrasion, folliculitis (which looks like a small, reddish acne), and finally abscess. Because it most commonly starts with skin abrasion, it is desirable to reduce the factors which lead to skin abrasion. Some of these factors include:

• Reducing the friction due to bobbing or swinging motion while pedaling, by setting the appropriate seat height.
• Selecting an appropriate saddle.
• Wearing good cycling shorts, with chamois padding.
• Using petroleum jelly, chamois cream or lubricating gel to further reduce friction.

If left untreated over an extended period of time, saddle sores may need to be drained by a physician.

In horses, saddle sores commonly form around the front girth area and are usually caused from riding out-of-shape horses too long or hard, or from having the girth too tight. Reducing friction is also of great help in preventing equine saddle sores.

See also

• Cycling
• Bicycling
• Cycling shorts

References

• Rivendell Bicycles page on saddle sores.
• GORP page on saddle sores.