New Saddle

[Dizzy]

My latest new saddle to try arrived yesterday (Monday). It looks just the job, I haven't tried it on yet, as Breeze was freeze branded last Thursday, it was a re-brand, she was branded last October and it wasn't very clear, the brand still felt a little warm and raised up on Sunday so as I'm child minding for a friend until Wednesday, I thought I'd wait until Thursday to try it.

I must say I'm very hopeful, my cardboard template of Breeze fits very nicely, and by sheer coincidence, the saddle fitter who came out at the beginning of Feb, who is excellant at his job, but is a total law unto himself, is supposedly coming out to my friend on Thursday (though I won't hold my breathe) to try out a new saddle on her TB. If he does show hopefully he won't spit the dummy because I've looked elsewhere and will give his opinion. Regardless of him, though I honestly don't think there will be a problem, though he's unreliable he does seem very genuine, the horses comfort comes before a sale - I've discovered a brilliant lass who lives locally, her husband and her are saddlers, and she also is very very horse comfort motivated.

The saddle is made by Fabtron, the seat and the horn is leather, but the underskirt and fenders are cordura, it weighs about 22lbs, exactly what I want - fingers crossed, you never know, I might be able to ride this weekend - though I daren't get too excited, finding a saddle to fit has begun to promote the same feelings as winning the lottery ;)

Lesley

[floppy]

can you really wait?:D

[Katie_85]

As in Thursady, tomorrow Thursday?! That's great! I'll be thinking of you when I'm out riding Bonanza and running into the saddle horn! :D

[Dizzy]

It fits, and today we went out for a ride:D

Here it is, ignore the towell, that was to keep the saddle clean, in case it had to be sent back.

[myEllie]

Well you could have just used a saddle pad. You are using a saddle pad right? I know you don't usually use them for english saddles, but you should use one for western saddles.

[Dizzy]

Do you mean instead of my lovely towell? I used the towell to protect the underside of the saddle in case it didn't fit and needed to be sent back. The saddle is a lovely fit, with and without a saddle pad.

We checked the saddle without a pad so that the saddler could feel for pressure points, which wouldn't be obvious is it was done with a pad. And with my horse being just 4 yr old and just starting out in her riding career has room for development.

And by the way I do have a saddle pad

I'm not quite as green as I'm cabbage looking ;)

Lelsey

[myEllie]

It is a nice towel if I do say so myself. :D
Sorry, hope I didn't sound rude. I have seen some crazy people, mostly switching from western to english, who have absolutely no idea what they are doing. I never thought a noseband was that difficult to figure out. :o Anyway, glad to see things are working out.

[Outrider]

Nice looking saddle and nice looking horse. Best of luck with your equine experience! Happy Trails!

[RoxR]

Great news Dizzy! It looks lovely - well worth the wait, eh?

Your lovely youngster looks similiar to my little madam, LOL! We're hopefully getting a digital camera today so all being well I can show everyone some photos of us kitted out!

I have used my western saddle nearly every time I've ridden lately, especially for out hacking. I stuck with english bridle with running martingale for going out because it's that bit safer when Rox has a chestnut strop!

One thing I will say that others might agree with is that the western saddle has given me a lot of confidence - although I'm sure I can fall out of it (!) I do actually feel so much more secure that I'm relaxing more. In turn this means I'm not tensing up and setting Roxy off! She is settling so well that yesterday I hacked her for the first time (with Lady as our big brave escort!) to Moss Valley Park where we could have an off road ride with some canters! FANTASTIC! Plus she had her first shoes on Thursday so I really feel that she is a proper grown up horse now!!

I think the western saddle is the best thing I have bought since Roxy herself!!

:D

[floppy]

my friend has a saddle similar to yours, super comfy...i really do get jealous of her when we go out on long hacks because the haflingers western saddle isnt quite the armchair hers is!
looks nice on your horse too :)
(ehm which horse is it?:D)

[Dizzy]

Hi Floppy, this is Breeze. She's 4 yr old, about 15 hh. Her Mum was Dizzy. Dizzy was Arab/Welsh and her Dad was a QH called 'Sumpin' Roany'.

RoxyR I couldn't agree more about feeling more secure with a western saddle. I started to use one when Breeze began napping, she would then back up and buck if I pushed her forward - she can be very determined at times and knew I didn't want to get in an arguement that I was definitely going to lose, so I went back to long riening and lunging and restablished abit of respect.

I had a friend come and help me, and she suggested trying her western saddle - which I did. I'll never forget the first day we lunged her in it, she was fine in walk. When she trotted I think the saddle must have felt weird - I have never seen a horse buck like it. I remember thinking 'This was a BIG mistake'. Anyway we stuck with it for a few minutes, it was amazing how quickly she settled, we worked her on both riens, changing the pace often, she was willing, obedient and looked happy. I then got on and rode her back to the yard - I must admit I was nervous, for a start it was the first time I'd sat in a western saddle, my friend insisted that I held my riens in one hand and held the horn with my other (just in case!)

We kept the lunge line on her and set off, her walk was free, relaxed and much faster than it had ever been, we did a few halts, voice and a gentle squeeze. But it was the walk on that impressed my, not a sign of unwillingness, ears pricked, head carriage didn't alter - just forward and relaxed. I had a lump in my throat when I got off, I was so proud of her, and so bloody relieved. We've never looked back since, apart from such a long wait to get a saddle, I rode her yesterday in her new saddle, she hadn't been ridden since the beginning of Feb, she was perfect, very green, but willing :D

Roxy sounds lovely, I'm looking forward to seeing her. Moss Valley Park sounds great, Breeze and I haven't cantered yet, just a few steps when she shied once, but she does jump over muddy puddles ;) I'd prefer it if she didn't, but you can't have everything can you.

Lesley

[Katie_85]

Your new saddle looks great Lesley! I'm so happy for you! :)