[HairOfTheDog]

Well, phooey if I can tell, but if it was bridging, wouldn't you have the dry pressure points at front and back? It could also be that he's only just barely sweating enough to really tell, and where the pad get's good contact along the bars, the pad is wicking it up and he stays wetter where the saddle ~isnt~ because he's got his winter coat on.

That said, I'd ride with the cashell all the time, because the cushioning in the saddle and the pad will form fit him to some degree over time and I think it's better if you keep it consistant.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, we did our walk. Twice around the pasture, 1486 steps on the pedometer (and those are ecurbh steps, I took more with my shorter legs :~D) It worked out to .6 miles. So I think the estimate of 4 times around to equal a mile is pretty close. Close enough :~D

We looked a little like an odd parade to people driving by, I bet...

Leading the way, Homer...

Horses tagging along, sortof :~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I guess I'm going to agree that I should be riding with that cushion all the time:). It's just a pain to deal with. You have to take the pad completly loose from the saddle. That was one thing I really really liked about the English Saddle and Pad. How they hooked together, and stayed in place so well. I can still hook the pad to the saddle with the cushion inbetween, but you can't leave it when not useing it or it ruins the cushion from what I understand.

Becky