martini55
8th Oct 2006, 12:16 PM
This morning I had the scottish freeform agent out to try out the freeform and trekker saddles on martini. She first took a look at martini and decided that she has a short back and we would definitely not be able to have a classic on her as it would just be far too long. She popped both the SB and classic on though to see the different girthing options on her (her classic was standard and the SB forward) and advised the the forward girthing would be best.
Martini has a really high whither and some muscle wastage so we definitely needed a lot of shimming. First we tried a HAF pad with 2 sets of shims in it. This gave the desired amount of clearance at the back and the front, but once I sat on the saddle it completely dropped onto martini's whithers, though there was still clearance in the back. So I jumped off and we put a riser on the front and that seemed to sort the problem. I don't know if maybe a suber-pad would be a better alternative? I have heard mixed reviews about them.
So time for me to have a ride! I have to say it is *the* most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden in. I loved how you could really feel the movement of the horses back and that you went with the movement. It didn't feel as wide as I expected it to either and put me in a lovely position.
Next the trekker talent. From seeing pictures of the new design I thought it was going to look awful but it honestly looked alright when it was on the horse. It looked as though it fitted martini well but when I got on that completely changed and it just wasn't right for her. From the riding aspect, it felt alot wider than the freeform.
So I'm going to have a little think but I am pretty certain I will be getting a freeform:)
Martini has a really high whither and some muscle wastage so we definitely needed a lot of shimming. First we tried a HAF pad with 2 sets of shims in it. This gave the desired amount of clearance at the back and the front, but once I sat on the saddle it completely dropped onto martini's whithers, though there was still clearance in the back. So I jumped off and we put a riser on the front and that seemed to sort the problem. I don't know if maybe a suber-pad would be a better alternative? I have heard mixed reviews about them.
So time for me to have a ride! I have to say it is *the* most comfortable saddle I have ever ridden in. I loved how you could really feel the movement of the horses back and that you went with the movement. It didn't feel as wide as I expected it to either and put me in a lovely position.
Next the trekker talent. From seeing pictures of the new design I thought it was going to look awful but it honestly looked alright when it was on the horse. It looked as though it fitted martini well but when I got on that completely changed and it just wasn't right for her. From the riding aspect, it felt alot wider than the freeform.
So I'm going to have a little think but I am pretty certain I will be getting a freeform:)