Pad or blanket?

[Caz&Irena]

Is it better to ride with a pad under a western saddle or a blanket? I only ask because I have noticed that when I ride I seem to slip to the right. I know that I do put more weight in my right stirrup than my left but it is very noticeable now as my saddle is moving with me. I know that the saddle was a good fit but now I am wondering if by using a pad I am actually taking the saddle 'off her back'. Would a blanket be better? I did note that most of the western riders at a show I attended recently rode with blankets and not pads. I would welcome any suggestions.

Thank you!!

Gillian

[Outrider]

I would say it depends on the horse. If you have a horse with high withers, a pad is better to keep the gullet off of the withers. If they are not high, a blanket is sufficient, or perhaps two thin ones.

If you are slipping that much, is your saddle tight enough? Or is your girth too long perhaps? Why do you put more weight on the right instead of an even distribution on both stirrups? Happy Trails!

[floppy]

i uee a well padded pad. or balnket? dont know which you would call it..its the same shape as poly pads and well stuffed.

[Caz&Irena]

I think that I always have put more weight in my right stirrup than left. If I am on a circle I tend to fall in on the right rein but on the left I don't. When I ride in English tack it isn't noticeable and I stay pretty straight. Instructors have told me I have a very good position but since I have been hacking out in the western saddle I seem to be pulling it to one side. I have tried taking the stirrups up a couple of holes on the right side but still find that I come back with the right stirrup longer. I am a 'mature rider' who started fairly late in life so perhaps I'm not a supple as I should be!! Anyway, I am having my first lesson in western on Saturday with Epona so I am sure she will sort me out!!!

[Outrider]

I have no doubt that Epona can sort out your left vs right weight distribution. You need to sit balanced in a western saddle as your weight needs to be evenly distributed to the balls of your feet in order to give the leg cues properly. You'll do well with Epona, I have no doubt. Happy Trails!

[floppy]

gillian,
i have just got my hands on eheather moffets enlightened equitation book..have you read it?
if some keeps collapsing to one side she gets them to try riding with a back support attached so that the 'stiff' part is on the hip making the body more upright.

do you try riding without stirrups?? that really helps in finding your balance better.

outrider- i just had thougth regarding western stirrups....because of their shape you cant change the stirrup leathers over can you? because with english saddles you swope the stirrp leather ovver frequently so they get even wear and tear stretch on both sides...otherwise one side tends to stretch more than the other and it doenst come from lop-sided- ness only it comes from the general wear and tear from mouting. :)

[Caz&Irena]

Now you see this is the strange thing, when I ride without stirrups or bareback I don't put weight on one side and I have never been told that I lean. However, since having 'proper' lessons and doing lots of circle work (with stirrups) it was picked up by my instructor that I am falling in on the right circle. I can correct myself, although it does feel odd, and work correctly. None of my other instructors has ever mentioned it before in seven years of riding but I am told that it is a very common thing as we all have one dominant side, I know that my right leg is stronger than my left. Hey ho, this is what happens when you decide to ride properly as opposed to just being a happy hacker like I used to be!!! Epona thinks that it could be the length of the cinch as it is a bit short for my horse and she has very kindly ordered me a new one so hopefully my problem will be solved.

Best wishes!

Gillian

[Caz&Irena]

Sorry Floppy just read the first part of your message again, must get some new specs!! That is a really good idea about the back support I think that I will try it!!

Thanks

Gillian

[floppy]

ahah well i help you get all solved with epona :)
i know what you mean with trying to ride proper after being a happy hacker...
i was a 'proper rider' until about 6months ago and then just decided to spare my money on riding lessons and just go hacking..now when i do have the occasiocal lesson i feel the difference immensly :D

is your horse western trained or ar eyou int he process of training?
my horse is learning western.

[Caz&Irena]

No my horse isn't western trained, that is what Epona is coming to teach me on Saturday....or in my case TRY to teach me:D

How far have you got with your horse?

[floppy]

stopping and walking backwards from walk and trot..but she is a slow horse and walking backwards takes forever :D also introducing her to a bit of neck reining.

[Outrider]

Hi Floppy!

No, you can't really switch the leathers on a western saddle as the fenders are attached there for each side. But you usually don't have the stretch and wear problems with western saddles that you do with english saddles, because the leather is thicker and wider, so it takes a lot more abuse than the english leathers do. Happy Trails!

[floppy]

ahah..thanks for that...i have taken to mounted on either side anyway...i also managed during the summer to mount with a jump and swing into the saddle...hehe but now it is winter im not so energetic

[Caz&Irena]

Sounds like you are doing well! I can't wait to start! My little girl isn't slow but she's stubborn should be interesting to see what she makes of it all I'm sure she will be good........it's her mum who might have the problems!!

[floppy]

i think we are doing quite well, the horse isnt actually mine kind of a share horse and whenever she learns something new the owner organises a lesson for me to learn it too as i too am a beginner with western riding :D but i ride the horse 99% of the so time most of the training is done by me. Which makes the owner happy because she owns the yard and doesnt have time to ride her self much with a how herd of cows, 15 horses and 3 young children adn a husband to look after so she is always greatful when she rides her hrose and the horse is more respsonive. The horse, anika, is only 6yrs old and dressage and general schoolign didnt work with her so we started the western riding as we hack out all the time.

The woman who gives me the odd lesson has a horse boarded at the yard form my horse and her horse is western trained and i got to ride it once and it was unbelievable how sensitve the hrose was and stopped and moved with the gentlist 'push of a button'


but the stop and walk backwards doesnt work too well when riding out in company so that is our next aim we are tryign to reach...to get her to stop and let the other horse keep walking...

[Epona UK]

Hope you have recovered :D

[Caz&Irena]

How did I ever get out of that saddle.....after the lesson I thought I was moulded to it!!! As for the legs eek! I never knew how much work went into such intricate movements!!
Anyway, thank you so much Epona especially for showing me why I was tilting to one side in the saddle when you managed to do the cinch up another three holes......after I was mounted!! What can I say I feel such a twit!

[floppy]

so you had a good lesson then gillian?

[Caz&Irena]

Didn't get out of walk (so couldn't possibly be too strenuous), thought it was going to be easy peasy. Found I have a lot more muscles in my legs than I thought when they all started aching yesterday!!! But very enjoyable and now I have my homework to do especially on the right turns!!:D