@newforest maybe you can give me some pointers, but anyone is more than welcome to chip in.
I may be able to get a bit of extra riding in on a sweet but rather green mare. The possible deal breaker from my point of view is her saddle - one ride in it & I have bruising, I've never ridden in anything so uncomfortable! It's a Torsion (torture!) treeless, and it's tiny. Not only does my bum barely fit in it but the front of it has really bruised the top of my thighs. I'm not skinny, I admit that, but a friend's very slim daughter has also ridden in it and found it uncomfortable in the same area so it isn't just that.
A friend has offered to let me try her treeless that she no longer uses, no idea of the make but it looks more conventional in the seat area. However I have absolutely no idea what constitutes a good or bad fit with a treeless, and neither does anyone else on the yard. Apparently the pony is a nightmare to try and fit a treed saddle to since she's barrel shaped with almost no discernable wither, and since it's not going to be a long term arrangement I can't justify spending out on a saddle for her particularly since I doubt she'll fit into a cheaper one.
Any tips on what to look for would be so helpful. Thanks.
I may be able to get a bit of extra riding in on a sweet but rather green mare. The possible deal breaker from my point of view is her saddle - one ride in it & I have bruising, I've never ridden in anything so uncomfortable! It's a Torsion (torture!) treeless, and it's tiny. Not only does my bum barely fit in it but the front of it has really bruised the top of my thighs. I'm not skinny, I admit that, but a friend's very slim daughter has also ridden in it and found it uncomfortable in the same area so it isn't just that.
A friend has offered to let me try her treeless that she no longer uses, no idea of the make but it looks more conventional in the seat area. However I have absolutely no idea what constitutes a good or bad fit with a treeless, and neither does anyone else on the yard. Apparently the pony is a nightmare to try and fit a treed saddle to since she's barrel shaped with almost no discernable wither, and since it's not going to be a long term arrangement I can't justify spending out on a saddle for her particularly since I doubt she'll fit into a cheaper one.
Any tips on what to look for would be so helpful. Thanks.