New HM Saddle on its way!

[HairyCob]

Just a quick update for those of you who have been following and helping with my saddle saga!

I have managed to track down an HM easisit Working Hunter saddle in brown with suede seat and knee rolls.... just exactly what I wanted!!:D :D

I have to get a wither template done (which I am doing myself:eek: :eek: ) and once I have sent this off, the saddle will shortly be winging its way to me and hopefully will fit both Pageant and me!

Does anyone who has experience of taking a wither template want to give me any tips? I have full, step by step instructions including photos, but I am still a bit apprehensive about doing it!

Will keep you updated!

[Yann]

Not done one personally but seen it done once or twice, I would guess the main thing is to make sure you do it in the right spot. The other bit that looks slightly tricky is swapping from one side to the other, some instructions suggest getting someone to hold it for you while you do the other side.

Best plan would be to take a few and keep checking that you're getting a consistent result, it will be right then!

If you have the serge and wool panels underneath don't worry if the fit isn't quite 100% for starters, they seem to take an absolute age to really bed in (over and beyond the 3 hour walking only period).

BTW you didn't used to be on here under another name did you? Just wondered:D

[Mehitabel]

i am very jealous! i am having a real struggle not to squander my redundancy money on an HM treeless...

[HairyCob]

Yann- yes, I did used to have a different username! I guess letting slip H.C.'s name gave me away!! Long and boring reason for changing username, but yes it's me, and yes we've met!:D
Your idea about taking several templates and making sure they all match is a good one- thanks!

E's..... Do it! Go on, squander it! I was incredibly tempted by the treeless, and I will have one... one day! Just really can't afford it now, so the easi sit is a compromise for the time being!:D

[Mehitabel]

stop it! :fingers in ears: i do have some compensation money coming from a car crash so if there's enough of it i might have to squander that instead...
and of course if i get a new job before the redundancy money runs out then it will be ripe for squandering!:D

[Miriam]

Is it you tht has the cob that has low withers and finds it hard to get a saddle to fit. If so let me know how the easisit goes please.

[Yann]

Hehe, it's the name what gave it away as you say, my lips are sealed;) Nice to see you back again:)

If it's any consolation we've been treeless for the last year or so and Rio goes just as nicely in her Saddle Co GP. It's just as comfortable for our spoiled back ends with a seat saver on too, and of course yours will be built in:D

[Bebe]

Hairycob, I've taken wither templates a couple of times.

The best way I've found to do it is to buy a large piece of card and a flexi-curve. Use the flexicurve to take the template, do one over the withers where the front arch of the saddle will sit, put the flexi curve on the card in the shape of the withers and draw around it, then go back 2 inches and take another and draw roudn it, back another 2 inches, etc until you have about 3-4 readings. It's best to mark 1, 2, 3... on the traced drawings so you know which is the front, middle and back.

Once you've done that, cut out the tracings and also a long strip of card. I then tape the tracings to the strip of card so that they represent the horses back (so measure your 2" gaps). You can then use this to shove into the spine of any pre-made saddles or send it off to be used as a template for a made to measure saddle.

It's easier if you have someone to help, one on each side of the horse so the flexicurve is held flat to the back whilst it's being moulded to the horses shape, otherwise the side opposite to you can spring up and it won't be as accurate (and its harder to do).

I've heard of people using model clay or plaster of paris to make templates too. You put a plastic sheet over the horses back and then pour or mould the clay over it, leave it to set for a bit and then peel the whole thing off. Probably gets a better template but is messy and easier to break if you have to transport it anywhere.

[Horsey Bird]

Hi HC
You know my saddle is currently off for readjustment. If you want, when Nic comes back with it, why dont we book a double appointment to have HC seen at the same time?? She will do the template then (as she has done with ML).

Do you want me to set that up with Nic? I would imagine if its not this weekend, then maybe next weekend? Or some evening after work if that suits better?

BTW, thanks again for checking little Naglet last night....

[HairyCob]

E's...... Go on, you know it makes sense!!!:D

Miriam.....Not sure if mine is the nag you're thinking of, but low withers, very, very wide and a pain to get a saddle to fit, so will be letting the world (well New Rider anyway!!) know exactly how we get on with this one!;)

Yann...:D :D :D Wasn't actually away for long, just changed my username and didn't let on who I was!;) Pageant isn't exactly a common name is it?!! Never mind, I think most people who 'knew' me before, have worked out who I am anyway, and the problem that caused me to change my name has been resolved anyway!:D

Bebe...... Oh! Blimey!! I have only been asked to take one template over the withers by the saddler doing mine...... arrgh!:eek: Think it might be time to get someone in... which leads me on to.....

HorseyBird...... I didn't think Nic took templates for saddles that were going to be adjusted by'other people'? If she does, then a joint appointment would be a great idea!!

[HairyCob]

BTW Horsey Bird.........

Originally posted by Horsey Bird
BTW, thanks again for checking little Naglet last night....

Little Naglet???!! She is bloody huge! Especially in the dark surrounded by other horses who don't know me at all with a firework artillery going on all around!!!

Actually, they were all perfectly well mannered, and it really wasn's that bad at all!!;) In fact with ML being so gorgeously snoggable it was a pleasure!

Happy to help....... any time!:D

[Yann]

LOL Hairy Cob as you now are, I'm a bit slow on the uptake and wouldn't have spotted otherwise;)

I wouldn't worry overly about the single template at the wither, I had Speedy, one of the Saddlecheck Fitters come to do a fitting for Rio and she only did the one. I think the Saddle Co saddles tend to be very forgiving with the nice soft panels and will tend to bed to most horses with very little need for adjustment.

[HairyCob]

Thanks Yann, that is reassuring! I was beginning to panic! Had visions of boxing the beast all the way up to birmingham for a 1:1 with the saddler!!

I attempted to get a wither template on Friday afternoon.. in fact I took about thirty! All of them completely different! :rolleyes:

I'm working nights this weekend, so can't do much about the saddle, but will be phoning Nic (local HM fitter) on monday and seeing what she suggests! No point in doing my own template and getting it wrong, if she can do it for me and get it right!:D

[larri]

Yipppeeee!!!!!!

Took a four hour round trip down to Hampshire to see Nix and her second hand HM Easisit...and to see her two lovely boys Ziggy and Harvey. Virtually grabbed saddle off her!

Now just need to get Vicki at Better Saddles to do her stuff with the Saddle Co as Ziggy appears to be as wide as a bus ;) and despite my little madams rather rotund barrel, she doesn't even come close!

Looking forward to some lovely comfortable schooling for both of us :D

[nix]

Originally posted by larri
Ziggy appears to be as wide as a bus ;)

lol ... I've seen narrower buses ... dunno why I'm laughing tho as we're bareback now til we sort out a point-free (or is that pointless!?!) or treeless saddle for my "wide-boy" - in every sense of the word.

Glad you like the saddle tho Larri, I'm sure Safi'll love it too. :D

[HairyCob]

Mine is coming from Vicki at Better Saddles, just as soon as I decide what to do about this darn template! Not sure wether to send the one that I *think* is right, or try to get a saddler out to do one.... time and money of course being a factor in the decision!

Pageant is a wide boy too, looking at his template makes me realise just why my hips ache quite so much when I try to ride in a 'correct' position!
Vicki sent me detailed instructions as to how to get the template, part of which said to draw it onto an A3 sheet of paper.... ha ha ha ha! Pageants template just fits on an A2 sheet, which is twice the size of A3 for those of you who aren't familiar with paper sizes!

I am praying that the easi sit will ease my aching hips somewhat!:D

[Mossy]

A cornflake packet unfolded is just the right size for drawing templates on - one flexicurve to take the shape, one cornflake packet to draw on. Hey presto - one durable rigid template. My saddler uses that set up and Dave was very impressed with his work. [ cheaper than buying special size paper as well.]

[Mike]

Back of some old wallpaper will be fine if you can't lay your hands on bigger sheets of paper.

[HairyCob]

The paper isn't the problem (though thanks for the tips!) I have reams of various size paper lying around just waiting for me to have time to start painting again.....!

The problem is that I keep getting vastly different templates..... well, half an inch narrower or wider- which seems quite vast to me! Poor Pageant is getting so used to the flexi curve he automatically stands square when he sees it come out!!:D ;)

Must phone Nic tomorrow.....:)

[Kerry's Partner]

Knowing absolutely 0 about making a template but seeing them created for Kerry and also thinking about what I would produce if I tried (AND I'd keep checking up on myself as you have done!!!!!!!!!! Horse is standing square each time. Completely different sized templates each time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The variance is probably to do with where (on the horse) you're taking the measure from. SOoooooo take a deep breath, trust yourself and do it all in one "session" (checking on yourself that is) and take the best of 3 (well, of 5 if it were me).

I take my hat off to you - I'd probably still be dithering about 9 months afterwards!!

Good luck ('though I'm sure you don't need it anyway).

[HairyCob]

LOL! Best of thirty actually KP!

I spoke to Vicki at Better Saddles today- bless her she phoned me to reassure me after I'd sent her an e-mail voicing my concerns about my template taking ability! She has managed to put my mind at rest and I am sending the template off to her at the end of the week!!(First opportunity I get to get to a post office!)

So....... my new saddle should be arriving sometime in the next three weeks!:D :D :D

"Kid at christmas" springs to mind!:D

[Kerry's Partner]

That's the way to do it. Well done.

[HairyCob]

I have just had an e-mail from Vicki at Better saddles, and our new HM easifit should be here on Friday!

I can't wait..... and for once I am not working *all* weekend, so should get a chance, weather permitting, to ride in it!!!:D :D :D

[Kerry's Partner]

Seems I['ll be working all evening so decided to take a quick break!!

Did you get it and how did you find it??

[HairyCob]

Hi Sandra,
As you probably know I was hoping to get a HM treeless, but a serious look at my finances ruled that out!

Anyway, I searched high and low through classifieds for HM saddles, and this turned up the fact that in the main once people have them they don't sell them! It also brought me to the conclusion that an easi sit would be ideal due to it's adjustablility!

So, I started looking for an easi-sit- trawling classifieds, banging off e-mails etc. I finally came up with a GP which wasn't exactly what I was looking for because it was black and I wanted brown, then Sarah here mentioned that she had a WH easi sit.... so I checked out the Better Saddles website to see what the difference was- the WH has the set-back stirrup bars, which I wanted, and the GP doesn't...... so with appologies to the lady selling the GP it was back to the drawing board!

Then Mossy and others from here suggested I contact Vicki at Better Saddles direct- and she got back to me almost immediatley saying she thought she could help!

To cut a very long story short, sod's law being what it isI was then inundated with offers of easi-sits from pretty much everywhere I'd enquired, but having 'chatted' to Vicki, and discovered that she had a WH in brown with suede seat and knee rolls that was an ex-demo and a reasonable price AND that she would adjust it and post it to me for the price quoted, I decided to go for that one!

So, now I am just waiting for Friday, when the saddle of my dreams, which will hopefully also be the saddle of Pageant's dreams is going to drop through the letterbox! (Figuratively speaking of course!!)

[Yann]

I hope it lives up to your expectations:)

If our Genoa GP is anything to go by I'm sure Pageant will be over the moon, Rio goes as well if not better in it than in the Fitform treeless. The HM treeless seems to be suffering a series of postponements so even if you had the money you wouldn't be able to have one.

[HairyCob]

:D Thanks Yann- that makes me feel better- I knew there were a few problems with the freedom, but thought they were pretty much sorted!

Of course I don't expect the easi-sit to last for ever, and when that needs replacing there should be freedoms out there in my price band;)

Hope you, nat, rio and co are all well!

C.

[Yann]

We're all fine thanks:)

Let us know how you get on - I did look at an Easisit out of curiosity but the flat seat and lack of knee support weren't what we were after. I do ride in ours with a seat saver on though:D

[Mossy]

It's official folks The Saddle Co are no longer making HM easisits so if you want one move fast. Don't ask me why as my lips. and fingertips are sealed. If any one has heard anything I would suggest they consider VERY carefully before they post anything that could be misconstrued in any way.

[HairyCob]

I know nothing about the ins and outs of easi-sit manufacture and figure I'm better off not knowing from what Mossy says! But I understand that what Mossy says is right- no more being made!:(

I do know that Vicki at Better Saddles has a limited supply of ex-display and ex-demonstrator easi-sits, which is what mine is, so, as Mossy says, get a shift on if you want one, as I'm sure everyone will want one once they realise they aren't going to be avaliable much longer!:D

I guess the good news for those of us who have them (or will have tomorrow!:D) is that if we ever upgrade (say to the freedom..... ahhhh, dreams!) we won't have much problem selling easi-sits on..... seems to me that these saddles are legends in their own lifetimes!!:D

[Wally]

WE may have bought the last 6 then!:( :( :mad: :mad:

What a difference to the horses and clientelle, they LOVE them.

One lass, who left us to take her BHS exams (AND PASSED) this week said it was AWFUL having to get on "ordinary" saddles and ride in them for the exam. She said it makes a HUGE difference to your riding and the way the horse goes.

But you cannot even take a seat saver to the exams to make up for rotten design and quality. Surely if a rider recognises bad design it should COUNT for the exam, not be penalised for it.

This is such a blow for us, as the Easi sit was the only HM saddle within our price range. Letting kids loose with £1500 of saddle is not recommended, they drop the cheap ones....and when I say "cheap" I meant the Easi Sit Saddle Co ones.......any they aren't "cheap".

I did invest in a Saddle Co. Verona dressage, it has a serge panel and a non bouncy seat, it has a layer(I think) of latex foam over the seat which makes it very comfy. It's not a bad compromise, but not a HM sadddle. DRAT and double DRAT. I wanted all out guys to have the real Mc Coy.

[HairyCob]

Oh, Wally! How many are you short? We could all keep our eyes and ears open for secondhand ones when you want more!:D It seems that there are a few second hand ones around, and as they are apparantley fairly easy to adjust, maybe that would be an option?

As to them being cheap..... try telling my folks that! They are horrified that I have just spent more than two thirds of what I paid for the horse on a saddle!;) ;)

I agree with you tho- they are reasonably priced!

I am like a kid on Christmas eve tonight- can't wait for mine to arrive tomorrow! Bet I won't have any trouble getting up tomorrow morning, yet any other morning I have to practically lever myself out of my pit!:o ;) :D

[Kerry's Partner]

True to form all I've whipped through the posts and have probably got it all wrong again!!

HC what on earth is a "WH"? (sorry)

The easisit I had I loved. It's a shame it is apparently "gone".

Sorry again HC but my HM/BS I just love to sit in (on Kerry of course). These days, however, I must admit this is a mixture of feelings brought about by my frequent absence from Kerry as well as her saddle!!

btw did you get that saddle yet??

Sandra

[HairyCob]

Oh, yes! Yes! Yes! I got it - my Heather Moffett Working Hunter (that's what it means Sandra!!) easisit saddle arrived today and all I can say is WOW! WOW! WOW!

I am in seventh heaven- this saddle is FANTASTIC!

Either that or someone swapped my horse for one who looks exactly the same but doesn't nap, evade, pull, bolt or generally act like he isn't very happy..... which of course he wasn't due to his previous ill fitting saddle!

The new saddle not only appears to suit him- (he actually wanted to keep going on our hack instead of turning for home at the first opportunity)- but it also suits me- what a difference- my seat and legs seem to just fall into a correct position, my hips (which are dodgy!) didn't ache at all during our hour hack, and still aren't now (I'd normally be in a fair amount of discomfort having ridden for an hour after not riding at all for about 10 days!). I could feel his movement under me, and my toes didn't point outwards!

Sorry, I'm babbling in type, but I really am VERY VERY impressed and VERY VERY happy with my new saddle!

Can't wait to get the 3hours 'walking in' done so I can try Heather's sitting trot methods, which have eluded me up to now but I have a feeling I just may get there on the easi sit!

Will get pics of him in saddle and him in saddle with me on board asap!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Kerry's Partner]

Them there "hips" will sure ache tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!

I'll let you into a secret 'though: I never mind at all. At least I feel that the ache is in the right place - for the first time ever. SO you may not have dodgy hips at all (too young I think) - your hips benefit beyond words imo and so, too will your delight since the horse is happy!!

[HairyCob]

I was born with dodgy hips Sandra!! No doubt about it, them there hips are definitley dodgy.... and definitley not aching as much tonight as they normally would:D

I'll reserve judgement til tomorrow tho- sounds like you are the voice of experience!:D

[Kerry's Partner]

Wellllllllllllll. I'll be VERY interested to hear how you feel about 26 hrs on and then day by day (purely from a clinical perspective - and I'm not letting on my perspective on this but I'm sure you will guess)!!

ALSO I have to say I'm so delighted that "he" responded so well - you clearly made the right choice for him and that must be such a delight.

[HairyCob]

He was really quite amusing- we went through the usual walking off from the mounting block and refusing to stand still for a couple of minutes til he resigned himself to the fact that I was getting on..... then once I was on he walked off before being asked- as usual, I think this was about getting it over and done with in the old saddle.

Then having got him to stand and sat there for a miniute thinking 'oooh, it's good for me!', I decided my stirrups were too long, and with new saddle and leathers, couldn't adjust them easily from mounted so hopped off to do it- back to the block, where he stood stock still- there's a first time for everything, but I admit to thinking it was a fluke!

Then I dropped my schooling whip-- so had to get off again to pick it up:o and again, when I took him back to the block, he stood stock still, only this time, instead of wandering off as soon as I was on board, he just stood there mouthing his bit until I asked him to move!!

Took him off down the road, and he felt much the same as before, for about 50 yards, when he stopped..... kind of twitched his back, then picked up each hind leg in turn and kind of shook it...... so I just sat there, thinking I hope this is just him 'feeling' the new saddle.... then he asked for his head and put his nose on the floor.... and as he brought it up, picked up each front foot in turn and stretched it..... by which time I was half amused and half convinced he was about to throw a massive buck..... then he kind of wiggled his hips, and then just stood awaiting instruction.

So, tentatively, I asked him to walk on, and bugger me, he popped his head down, took the contact and strode off...... I had no idea his walk could be so 'long' (or is that extended?!! Sorry, not good at the technical terms!!)

A bit further down the road I asked him to halt with my seat..... and he did!!!!!!!!!

Then, bless him, he turned his head round, as if to look at his saddle, let out a contented sigh, and stood stock still once again, awaiting instruction!!

We had a lovely hack from then on, with him being light and responsive- back to how 'my boy' was and how I knew he could be!

Sorry, I know I am babbling on, but I cannot believe the difference in him today- I just hope it really is down to having a saddle that fits well, rather than just one of those flukey things!

Only one way to find out, so tomorrow and sunday, I ride again!!

[Kerry's Partner]

It is NOT babbling at all. It is so refreshing to hear what you experienced since you are telling it like it is - which we need lots more of.

What a brilliant exeperience you have had - all of it - especially the sighing which was so noticeable you mentioned it- Kerry does this a lot when (imo) she is totally relieved

[Yann]

It IS the saddle that's making the difference! The saddle Rio came with was frankly a joke, the next best thing we had was... a wintec. We made do with it for a few weeks and then tried out a Fitform Treeless, and had a very similar experience. A barely recognisable horse, light, relaxed, smooth and free moving:) It isn't a fluke, if we only listen they are telling us a lot of little things all the time.

Very pleased for you both, enjoy:)

[galadriel]

Oh, bounce, delight, happy :)

[larri]

Yippee....another happy dodgy hippy person thanks to HM Easisit!

It's great isn't it. I've just got out of the shower after hacking Safi for 3 1/2 hours back home in hers.

I have a blissful bottom :D

[HairyCob]

Not happy today:mad: I had to work this morning..... and it threatened rain all afternoon!;) Didn't want to get new saddle wet!

However, I am blissfully happy to report that my hips feel great today- not even a twinge of an ache, let alone the pain I am used to! In fact they are so good I even ventured to the pub tonigt wearing high heeled boots:D ;) That is unheard of for me as usually my hips are aching from riding and high heels just don't help!:D :D

[Kerry's Partner]

Very good news about the hips (hope you had a good night out). It's still pouring down here - hasn't appeared to stop for days and days. Here's hoping you've had some respite for the rain.

[Mossy]

i hunt Moss in his HM WH and my hips and knees are fine. He loves his new saddle. Mind you he is so confident in it we go careering downhill full tilt, short hairy legs cannot cover as much ground as his athletic TB type companions and he refuses to be left behind. Mum is leaning well back finger hooked round breastplate and praying earnestly :D

[HairyCob]

Mossy- I have a lovely mental picture of you carreering down hill, eyes shut, almost in a chair seat where you are leaning back, with one hand on the breastplate and the other clutching some sort of religious jewel round your neck whilst muttering a prayer..... if only I could draw!!:D ;)

Sandra- Daily report on the hips! No aching yesterday at all, reasonable night out and only my feet complaining about the high heels!
Rode again today in my luscious saddle, again for an hour..... only problem I had was when someone else suggested I shorten my stirrups a bit just in case he took off.... being a donut I shortened them by one hole (didn't really think they needed it but thought 'now she's said that he'll spook and I'll loose my stirrups and....') anyway-- rode on for about five minutes until I had to stop and lengthen them again because my hips began to ache!

Once they were back to where I wanted them, my hips ceased to ache, and we both thouroughly enjoyed our hack..... in the rain!!

Yann- I believe you were right- it really is the saddle that has made all the difference- Today he didn't move away while I was girthing, stood stock still at the block until I asked him to move and we had no sillines, napping etc again.... and he was back in his happy mouth straight bar bit!

I'm in heaven..... got MY pony back!!:D

Still feel incredibly guilty that I believed that saddle fitter who told me that the old saddle was fine and that Pageant just needed some manners re-establishing. Grrr!!

[Kerry's Partner]

It is SUCH a good feeling to "get your pony back" - I know. If this is the effect it has on us you cannot begin to imagine what scale of a transformation they're experiencing can you?

Re "hips" - I've been thinking about what you said. It could well be that the same thing happens to me. I can remember clearly aching after using my saddle for the first once or twice (and thought that was a genuine and healthy re-alignment at the time). Since then I'm usually superbly comfy and I think also far far more supple. Every now and again, however, my hips will ache and I do think it's when I feel crunched up from the ball of my foot upwards - i.e. stirrups too short - and yes even by one hole.

[HairyCob]

As I am more than aware that my hips have 'good days' and 'bad days' and this often depends on how damp the atmosphere is I decided that today, (as it was dry and gloriously sunny when I skived off work to go riding:D ;) ) that I would try shortening the stirrups by one hole again, just to see if it made such a huge difference again...... and it did! Agony! So lengthened them again and then had another lovely hack- I'm sure folk round here think I've gone potty- pootling round the lanes with a big grin plastered to my face:D :D Still it sure beats carreering round the lanes with a look of out of control terror!!:o

Hurrah for the easi sit!:D

[Kerry's Partner]

I'm going off subject again - but alas I am SOOOOOOOOO slow. I've only just paid any attention at all to your "quotes" one of which probably isn't a quote - except re what you were thinking yourself when you wrote it.

Anyway, I think they are both brilliant.

Back on topic - I'm going to experiment with stirrup length. I know the two lengths I am superbly comfy with and I suspect the odd, very painful, experiences I have had are when I, too, have shortened by one hole less than my own pref for shortest - to satisfy the "onlooker" of the time.

[Mossy]

Great to see you are enjoying your saddle!
Your pen picture of me was not far off accurate. The only difference is that my legs are not bent to a chair they are straightish but forward - no marks for style here - and hte second hand is holding the buckle of the reins - two sets - that when we return to level ground mum can influence proceedings again! If I tried when full tilt I would tip us both over. A determined Highland in a hurry is about as stoppable as a Chieftain tank!
As regards stirrup length you CANNOT ride in an HM saddle with short stirrups. The only time I do is when jumping. It wrecks your position and b*****s your knees and hips! Con can spook for England and I feel much safer when we do sidewinder impressions if my stirrups are long enough that I can wrap my legs round her as oppose to perch on top of her. We go down the road as straight as a kid in a bending race except there arre no poles.

[Kerry's Partner]

I agree entirely about both the feeling of comfort and security (longer) and scrunched up everywhere pain and feeling of insecurity (shorter) when adjusting stirrup lengths - certainly applies re my HM/BS saddle. It isn't a criticism of the saddle btw - it's much praise. I suspect it's because the alignment it facilitates (magic!!) is so successfully different to what people may expect. I can jump (small jumps - would never try anything scary) very comfortably in ours (and it's a dressage saddle). As I say I use stirrup lengths just one hole apart - anything more hurts and puts me all out of alignment!! Whereas the tiny adjustment works really well for both Kerry and me.