Little Dolphins

[Imp]

How did it go today with the saddler? Did you get to ride?

I hope your day was more successful than mine was: just off to work now and will check in later tonight :D

[Little Dolphins]

Oh no! what do you mean ? P'raps your day's on another thread- will look. Hope you're OK Imp!

I have to say it: Hooray for Harley , the saddler, RI and MEEEEEE! Rode MY horse on home ground for first time!!!!! Been waiting for that experience since I can remember, was quite teary. Dream come true. Can't take it in.

Cold rainy snowy yukky weather, only did about 20 mins, and of course, too gobsmacked to take photo of HQ in her new clothes; she looks quite a different being. Saddle is great and fits beautifully. I WAS scaredy when Harley started to trot too fast(someone else using school, cantering circles), and I tensed up, making it much worse. But expert help of RI and Saddler lady helped me back on track and I began to relax. The opinion is that Harley, although very young, has 'the right stuff' between her ears, has lovely paces, and could be very good indeed if we develop her talents.
BTW, current vet says my mare is RISING 4:eek: She's certainly well-developed for such a baby. And I was looking for an oldy.

[flump1967]

Great news and aren't you brave!
She certainly looks more mature than her years. My vet does say teeth are an in exact science though...
What sort of saddle did you end up with?
I am pondering on an austrailian stock saddle if all goes well with Jester as these are said to be the hardest saddles to fall out of!

[cazrider]

Great news Little D.:D So glad it went well, and more importantly, you enjoyed yourself!!:D

[RustyMary]

Sounds great for you and HQ, LD :D

[NoviceNic]

Good News LD. Now to catch up with IMP I think snow stopped her ride...:(

[Imp]

Oh I'm so relieved for you LD!! Woo hoooooo! Please post some pics asap we'd love to see you on the move on HQ :D

You must be as high as a kite right now, I know I would be :p

[Little Dolphins]

I'm feeling like a proper horse person now I have a saddle! It's a completest thing. And now I feel like a proper pennyless person, too; that's definitely it for now, wardrobe -wise!
Hiya Flump- to answer your question, I had a made-to-measure one made by The Saddle Company, based in Walsall, but with a rep. saddler down in this area. They produce an injection-moulded tree which can be changed when a young horse changes shape. Must say, it's v. comfortable, and great to know it's a perfect fit. It didn't actually cost the earth, either. I wasted too much cash on a very silly second-hand saddle; well, I've learnt a lesson:rolleyes:

[HairyCob]

Ohh! How exciting! Isn't it wonderful to ride YOUR horse on YOUR territory?! Saddle co. saddles are fantastic... wish I could afford one for Dolly... maybe next year;) Edited to say... hmmmm, they aren't as expensive as you'd think, are they....

Looking forward to mounted pics:D

[domane]

Oh poooooop! Now I'll NEVER get you to go bareback!!! :D :D :D

Glad you are finally a team! Is it really high up there? Can you nearly touch the sky???

Fab news.... looking forward to photographic evidence OF COURSE - plus the pair of you can show off those fab Aussie tans you must have got whilst hiding "down-under".... hehe.... ??? ;)

[Little Dolphins]

Hi All- going to do some groundwork with poles this morning (manoevering, not jumping!) with Monty lady. Mind you, haven't drawn curtains yet, may be a blizzard out there...nope, looks OK.
Will I try actual riding this w'end? This is the Question! And will I organise someone to take pic? Bigger question!!

Maybe the Bareback Challenge will have to wait, but I will get there, eventually. Thought a lot about this when on Oz beach with HQ, gazing at blue skies, visualising images of perfect harmony....you know what? This cold weather is so abrasive, the tan is fading fast....:D

[nicolaj]

Glad you like the saddle LD, me and Fatty have got a Saddle Company one as well. We're lucky as not too far from Walsall so when it needs checking the nice man from there will come out and sort it!

What girth do you use with it? I've got a Stubben Trevia string girth which is really nice.

The biggest pain is the first three hours of ridding having to bed it in! What a pain. Nevertheless, I am finding it a really comfortable saddle and I think Fatty quite likes it as well. I like the idea that it can be altered to fit the changing shape of your horse, and really easy to look after.

Good luck and many happy hours riding in it!

[NoviceNic]

Chants ******* Pictures Pictures Pictures*************:D

[Little Dolphins]

yeah yeah yeah pictures, I getcha. Excuses are many(like no family members want to come up to yard ever, too lazy. One of the kids hasn't even SEEN Harley yet!!) but I know that won't wash, N N!:D

Nicolaj, I think it's a fab saddle, too, and I don't mind the 'bedding in' time of just walking!!! Good excuse to take it reeeell slooooowwwww whilst I get my bearings off the ground!:rolleyes: Yes, I've got the Stubben string girth as well, it's lovely and soft, isn't it? HQ hasn't much of a topline; she's young and it's good to know we can adjust the saddle as she changes shape. I can call the rep. with any probs, and she'll advise or come out if I need her. I think these saddles are a good midway solution between a regular saddle and going treeless if you have probs fitting your horsey.
The first saddler I tried was so laid back about getting back to me/ offering a service at all, I guess he didn't want my money. Others didn't return calls, or reply to enquiries. In Surrey, the specialists are too rich ,they don't have to bother.(Rant)