Just got a new saddle!

[Pedro]

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd just come here to brag about my brand new saddle ;)! Haven't had the time to try it yet, but I've ridden on a similar one. Took a few photos of it at work (that's why the saddle is propped up on computer cases, lol).

It's one of the two traditional Portuguese saddles types. This one is called "Relvas", the other is the bullfighting saddle. I was tired of having my seatbones right over the seams because of the narrow twist, not to mention the drum tight seats and bearing pads. I have a backsaver under my current dressage saddle and a seatsaver over it, because both me and Pimpao feel much better this way... but it just shouldn't be that way! The only saddles I could find around here that were comfortable for me were waaayyy to deep, and of questionable comfort for the horse. In the end I went for this one... wide twist, soft gel seat, soft wool flocked extra wide pads, and medium deep seat. The stirrup bars are further back than most dressage saddles, although they are placed _under_ the flap.

I have a whole bunch of photos at:

http://fortunato.freewebspace.com/relvas.html

And the best thing is.... it only costs 500 Euros! :D


Pedro Fortunato

[sallym]

Looks like a lovely saddle Pedro. How are you getting on? We haven't heard from you for a while.

Best wishes

Sally

[larri]

Ha Ha Pedro I have exactly the same saddle for Safira, mine is brown and sandy beige.

Hope Pimpao likes his - I'm having to get Safi's looked at due to some rather large issues we had when riding in it ( bucking, cat leaping and vertical rearing) She's learning her airs above the ground early ;)

Tell us how you get on!

[Pedro]

Things are going quite well! Since I changed Pimpao from a snaffle to a pelham we have been improving alot. Summer, with lots of time to use the larger outdoor arena by our selves, meant more "forward" work. Together, these two factors mean Pimpao is working much better, with more impulsion and balance. He is now stronger and more active... but also more unruly when things are not quite up his alley - that's the disadvantaged of him being less lazy, I guess!

Lately I've been experimenting with teaching him piaffe at hand... with some modicum of success. Lots of levade and canter-on-the-spot at first ;)... until he started to understand what I had in mind. That's pretty much how the piaffe training is... after lots of horse treats being expended! ;) During this time he did some very nice and balanced levades... I was quite sorry to tell him off then. But feisty as he sometimes is, lifting is hands off the ground is not something I want to teach him for the time being! :eek:

I've tried a saddle from the same maker a few weeks ago and he worked much better under it, than with my current saddle. I'm confident he'll like this one, and the makers will adjust or exchange it if there is any problem with the fit.

This is not the be-all, end-all of dressage saddles. Relvas saddles are very thick under the legs... traditionally they even use short billets, but I made a point of buying one with long billets. Neither are they the paragon of practicality - and that's without even considering the crupper, breastplate and xairel that are standard with it!

Personally I dislike the trend dressage saddles are following. If they want a saddle that provides a strong "adherence" to the horse, they should not (IMHO) go the way of overbending an english type tree that was not meant for that :rolleyes:. No wonder riders have rear end problems and horses back ones! If they want to stick riders to the saddle maybe they ought to look at Iberian saddles... Each day I share more and more of Heather's ideas on saddles!


Pedro

P.S.: Larry... you were not using a crupper, right?

[larri]

Pedro I was using crupper - (albeit an unmatching english one which I've used since day one with her lunging roller) and breast plate...no xairel tho' still looking for one of those.

I think my saddle needs completely reflocking and Remmy, one of Heathers teachers is coming over tonight to have a look at it. Hopefully I'll get to ride in my precious saddle again soon - sooo comfy!

Glad to hear of how well your boy is coming on - being that much younger Safi is a way off Piaffe training yet!

Larri

[Showjumper]

Ooooh most posh! I do like! :D Can't wait to see you in it on Pimpao! :D

[Heather]

Hi Pedro,

Glad to see you have taken the plunge and bought that new saddle you were telling me about!

I am coming over on the 20th Septmber, will be at Luis's for a couple of days. Looks like I will be over rather more often now, as my Dutch boyfriend lives at Nazare!!


How is Pimpao going!!


Heather

[chapsi]

Heather,
will you be seing me as well? Hope so.

Pedro,

I am very impressed about Pimpão's progress and your ability to train him. I just wish to get there... one day. So far, Pégaso and me are struggling to get lateral exercises done (leg yelding and shoulder-in), although, the horse hates it (too laid-back), my instructor isn't clear about it, my legs are too short, my saddle isn't the right one for it, I feel exausted doing it. Just too much effort put into it, I guess Pégaso is right about it.
Your saddle is very nice. You have good taste. Where did you buy it from? Perhaps you could give me some hints about buying a portuguese saddle. I like our local saddler's tack, but a checklist might be helpful.
Have you got a date for your lesson at Alcainça?
By the way, I might be moving yards... :)

[Pedro]

Oh, so now you have another reason besides horses to come to Portugal, Heather? :)
When you come next time, can I go and watch one of your lessons at Luis? Ana would love to come too, is that ok?

Well Chapsi, I guess Pimpao is the major reason I've been learning so much... he is the best teacher I could ask for! And I'm sure that if I had to do it all over again, I'd take a lot less time. I've been down a few alleys I had to backtrack from, I've sidesteps issues I should have faced sooner, etc. Unfortunately the only way to gather experience is to work for it... :)

I bought the saddle from a saddler based near Leiria. It's called "Correaria So Couro". A good deal of their business is exporting saddles to Germany, which is a reasonable assurance of quality. They have been most helpful, both to me and to my instructor when he got his saddle. I warn you that these saddles can be quite awkward until they break in - but in the end, that is precisely the reason why they become so comfortable!

I still have nothing planned on Alcainça... it is actually not a priority for me at this time. Also it doesn't depend solely on me. Probably I'll go sometime late September or October. I'll let you know when I have something more certain.

Have you found a new place you liked? Let me guess... run by a woman, no? ;)


Pedro

[Heather]

Hi Pedro -

Of course you and Ana can come and watch- haven't heard back from Luis yet but hopeing I can have several lessons each day to make up for lost time!! Love to see you both!!!!

Maria are you going to be around at all that week? Love to see you too- would have liked to get to see you and Pegaso- will talk to Remmelt and see if he will take me!!!

Heather

[chapsi]

Hi Pedro,

Yes, you guessed, but just parte of it. Indeed it is run by women, and they are english, ah, ah, ah.
However, I am nervous to see how Pégaso will take being managed and trained by ladies, specially when he tries his authorative act of "Me Tarzan, you Jane" sort of thing.
Our local saddler at Malveira exports his saddles to Switzerland.
Mind, one of those ladies came today to meet Pégaso in person, and he was a charmer (when he eats, he is too busy)!

Hi Heather,

Just arrived from Valença's exhibition at our yard. It was magnificent, we had a crowd of over 3.000 spectators. Bruno was swarmed by all the young teenies from our yard, who promptly helped him to plat all the horses. They were even suggesting that in case the show finished too late, he could always go and sleep at their place. I am astoned!!! In my days, portuguese little girls were supposed to blush and to be shy. Good on them, I suppose.
Regretably I felt too awkward to address myself to Luis and to say that I was your friend, Pégaso's owner.
When you get there, I would also love to come down and to meet you there, perhaps you could introduce us in person.
The week you are coming, I'll find the time to meet you, no matter what. I might even be already at the new yard, which is closer to Nazaré.

[tbone]

oh I like your saddle I wish they made them over here that nice;)

[Heather]

Hi Maria,

Can you come down the day Pedro and Ana come? Would love you all top be there together with us!! Probably the Wednesday would be best, the 24th- that OKk with you too Pedro? I will introduce you all to Luis and Sofia and Filipe, his daughters. 3000 spectators- wow!!!! The show is great though isn't it? I have seen it so many times now but still love it. Looking forward to seeing you all- I will be over rather more often now by the look of it!!

Heather

[Pedro]

Hi Heather!

The 24th should be fine for me and Ana. We'll take the day off and meet you at Vila Franca. If there's any change in plans, though, just let me know so we can change arrangements with our respective bosses. :)

A Portuguese NR meeting... looks promising! :D

Pedro

[Emma_G_NZ]

Wow, that is a very nice looking saddle- I've never seen anything like it!!
What is the difference when riding in the different stirrup irons? Or is the extra bearing area just for cosmetic purposes?

[Pedro]

Hi Emma,

There are a few models of Portuguese and Spanish saddles that, although they are quite common around here, are virtually unknown elsewhere. This is pretty much the more "English" looking one - you should see the others!
It's more bulkier than a dressage saddle but it moulds to horse's back admirably. As for the stirrups... I'd say it is pretty much cosmetic. Maybe the larger thread favours a position of the feet parallel to the ground, I'm not sure. Because they are heavy and the leathers are quite thick, they tend to stay put and are not that easy to loose - even if they are more slippery that the rubber coated ones we're used to!

Pedro