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Thread Nine: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1584833/posts |
Posted on 10/04/2005 9:56:41 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!
I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and MissTargets will now be pinging everyone most mornings. Let MissTargets and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.
So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.
Previous threads:
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - thread ONE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread THREE!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FOUR
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FIVE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SIX
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SEVEN
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
Cute little Monsters you've got there! Some good looking hay too. Is that the alfalfa or the grass hay?
LOL, at the one where the kitty is hanging out:)
I've got pictures loading of Harley saddled....I'm not sure about this pad. The sides don't seem to come down far enough and it looks like it could cause pressure at the girth. But the lady and the tag say relieves pressure points.
Becky
This second one you can see the space under the side panels that is left because of the edge of the pad. Do you think that looks right.
Becky
I think your horses look terrific. It was such fun to look at those pictures. It's the dead of winter and, you can tell, they have a lot of personality. ;) I'd post pics of mine but I dont know how to plus they have dredlocks from all their rolling around. I need a horse hair salon.
I'm like you, I don't like the way that thing doesn't come all the way down the length of the panels. I mean, it might not hurt anything, but it just doesn't look right.
I found a Master Saddler's website the other day that had lots of good information on how to evaluate saddle fit and I thought of you but at the time I didn't think you were having any problems. I'll see if I can find it again.
Have you ever heard of Gel pads??? That's the next step. I'd have to order it and it's $100. There is a pad shaped like a regular English White fluffy pad, but you put this Gel thing inside. It's suppose to mold to the horses back, and keep the saddle from slipping.
Becky
Hey, that's no excuse. Hair has a link on the "Who's Who" page to some very good written instructions on how to post pics. Here it is in case you don't want to take the time to click back there...
http://freeper.the-hobbit-hole.net/saddleclub/#picpost
Yeah, I've heard of gel pads and air pads too. The air pads are the latest and greatest thing I think. They've supposedly got air bladders on each side and you open a little valve when you put them on the horse and they self-inflate then you close the valve. Then you put the saddle on and open the valve again to let some of the air out so that it conforms to both the horse's back and the saddle, then close it. When you mount up, you can let out some more if you feel like there's still too much in there, but you'd have to be careful not to let it all out. It sounds complicated, but it's supposed to work.
The bay is all-american 100% QH with absolutely NO impressive blood or Tb blood. He comes from a line of ranch-bred performance horses, the Seven S Speedy Glo line. Seven S is the ranch name that bred them.
He was a failure at ranching because he is afraid of cows. He is awesome at dressage however and is a very elastic mover. He has the most comfortable canter, just like a gentle rocking chair. I swear I could sip tea from a china tea cup and sit his canter at the same time without spilling a drop.
He will be 19 years old in March but you can't tell it from looking at him or how he acts. He still thinks he is a 2 year old stud.
HHMMMMMMMMMMMM, I was just looking a Professional Choice Air Ride Pads. Thought they sounded pretty good, but there was no mention of valves. Jeez this just keeps getting more and more complicated:)
Becky
I'm heading back to Pet Smart. I don't like this pad.
Becky
I don't like the way it doesn't come down all that way... I'd think it'd feel funny under your knee.
And I think it looks too thick. The saddle looks like it's sitting up on top of him instead of around him. The panels on the underside of the saddle should look like they're sitting flat on him and they look like they're perched on top of him, particularly in the picture from the rear. I wonder if the standard kind of fairly full fleece pad wouldn't do just fine for him, and set the saddle down on him more.
Here's a pic of mine on Bay, not from the same angle but hopefully close enough to see, it's the best one I have. He also has all kinds of pad under him, but, presumably, the right amount for the saddle to fit his back.... the panels on the saddle match the angles of his back and are sitting flatter on him. There's not so much dead air under the saddle.
The stuff on the left is the alfalfa... the stuff on the right is the grass hay.
I'm feeding out the rest of the alfalfa to Cyn... she's best suited to have it be good for her.
The cashell cushion I have does not come out so far around the back of the saddle. If I don't get it on just right the edge of my saddle hangs off.
I swear, I'm sick of this, I'm ready to chuck the whole mess.
Becky
Oh, I forgot to tell you, I got 1/2 way to Pet Smart and realized I didn't have my purse, with the receipt and checkbook. I had picked up my coat and forgot the purse. I just came back home, and will go tomorrow, or do something.
Becky
Try a thinner fleece or similar pad, that feels substantial but not so thick.
A 'regular' horse, without Bay's special needs ought to do well going all day in a pad like the black one that's under Bay's Cashell... A little more than the square show pad you have, but a lot less than this last one.
I had to run to town, again:). But on the way home I was thinking exactly what your post here says. Tomorrow I'm going to go get just a regular English pad and he should be able to make it just fine in that.
Becky
Don't chuck the whole thing yet! :~D
LOL. I'm giving it till april with a regular fleece pad. I still believe MOST of the problem was more me anyway then the pad. I'm using this pad thing as a crutch. I just need to learn to ride in this saddle. Which I think I have been doing better. I think with one regular pad, it won't slip so much and be more comfortable for him and me.
If he gets sore anytime before while I'm conditioning him, or at the ride in April, then I'll have to rethink it.
Becky
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