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Posted on 02/24/2006 9:12:25 AM PST 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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread EIGHT
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
You used the right word!
Your saddle is beautiful, I hope that you do get it to fit ok.
It must be very frustrating.
Beautiful saddle, Becky. I agree with Hair it looks like it's too far forward. But, if you moved it back, the pommel might sit right on his withers. Hard to tell on a picture. What about the pads? Do you use only one when you ride? This is just me, but when I did a lot of trail riding, I used two blankets and a pad. The pad you are using looks too big, or else Harley is short backed. Did you ever put the saddle on him without a pad? Not riding him, but to see how it did sit. I imagine the saddle maker did that. I sure hope it works out for you. That saddle is very nice.
I think maybe it's a little too far forward. I don't remember Harley being really long backed but the rear cinch is pretty far forward and the front cinch looks like maybe it's pulling backward instead of straight down. Am I making any sense?
Hey, Thanks everyone.
I've made numerous phone calls to saddle makers today, after weighing up what everyone said this is what I'm going to do.
One, move the saddle back some:)
Two, I've been told by several different saddle makers now, that dry spots do not necessairly mean the saddle doesn't fit, and that I need to give it more of a try, there is a breaking in period. The test will be after several days of riding him in it, does he get sore. If he isn't sore there isn't a problem.
I've decided to at least give this a try.
I did set the saddle on the horse without the pad and it looks great, sits level, doesn't touch his withers. Charlie was here and he thought it looked fine. I am going to try putting a navajo under the pad.
One thing why I think this saddle might be alright is, it stayed in place the whole ride, didn't shift at all when I mounted. My old saddle did tend to roll some and that's one reason I didn't like putting a navajo under the pad, made it worse. This saddle felt like it did stay in place better.
Right or wrong, who know. I actually had one saddle maker tell me that fitting saddles is opinions, and saddle makers very seldom agree, (I said you all sound like farriers:). He said the best any of them can do is an educated guess. He also told me it is better to have a saddle to wide then too narrow.
Becky
Heh... sounds true :~D
Best of luck to you. I hope it works. My personal feeling is that pad is plenty thick, the question to add or decrease the amount of pad would depend on whether the saddle needs more or less for his width.
I've got to run to town now... get the oil changed in our little truck before our little trip tomorrow.
Trip??? did I miss something? Where you going?
Becky
I'm not sure what the reasoning is about putting a navajo under the pad, but it seems to be a common practice here, we were recommended to do that at the Josey clinic we went to last year. I'll give it a try, but if it makes the saddle roll like it did my old one I'll take it off.
Becky
I think some people do it just to keep the big pad clean.
We're going on a little overnight trip! One of the benefits of having Rosie next door is it frees us to go on some local trips and leave the horses now, as long as she stays willing! I've shown her how to feed horses, the weather's mild enough now that she can just leave them out and throw hay over the fence.
I'm sure if she has any issues or questions or thinks one of them might be sick or hurt, she can ask all of you questions. She has full authority to call my vet if she has doubts.
The trip started because I have to got to Central WA (Wenatchee) for work, to train someone. So I planned it on a Friday, we'll leave as early as we can muster tomorrow, stay overnight, and come back via a scenic route on Saturday, through a part of the state ecurbh hasn't seen yet.
Yes, going to Leavenworth, Washington The Bavarian Village. Been years since I've been there, and it's really quaint, in a contrived tourist trap kind of way :~D
And Wenatchee and the surrounding areas on the east side of the mountains is apple country, which is interesting. The East slopes are high desert-like, look more like the hills surrounding Duchess in Nevada than the green hills around here.
Then we'll come back through the mountains, and of course take pictures :~D
Well that really sound/looks like it will be fun. I love weekend trips:). I think they can be more of a vacation then a real vacation where you're rushing around to see everything.
Mack and I did a few weekenders on the motorcycles. It was a blast, and sooooo relaxing.
Have fun, be safe, and all that:)
I have to tell you something funny:). Yesterday at my dads I mentioned that I was going to Wash. in July to stay with people I had met on the internet. He just called a while ago to say he woke up in the middle of the night worrying about me going, doesn't want me to and if I do to call the police up there and see if there is anything they can tell me about you:).
Becky
Something else funny.
A bit ago, I ran to town to pick us up a pizza. As soon as I got in town the sirens went off....I swear I think the idiots in Bixby just like hearing the thing blare. It rained about 2 minutes, a dark cloud went over, then the sun was shining again. It never rained at our house.
And of course while I was in town and the sirens are blaring It was so funny because in front of every business people were standing outside looking at the sky....LOL.
Becky
Do it! I'd be curious to know myself!
Poor dad... I don't know if you can make him feel better about it or not. Some folk just thing internet means dangerous. It can be I suppose, but it's also easy, I think, to tell who the imposters and no-gooders are. Meeting up with internet people seems normal to me now.
Yeah - 2J just reported she heard them at her house. I told her I'd be outside with the camera if a twister was coming... not that anyone would be surprised at that.
I know, I may just tell him I'm not going, and not tell him when for sure I'm going.
He plays solitare on the internet and that's about it, reads the news from the town he was born in.
And no, I don't think I'll call the police:). I feel pretty safe:).
Becky
If you get caught, you'll get grounded for sure! Funny how we never stop being our parent's kids. :~D
I don't feel like a risk, but I suppose it's hard to convey that to people who don't understand the whole thing.
LOL...I know, I mean he was all but telling me I couldn't go:),,,I was afraid I was going to have to remind him I'm 52 stinking years old:)...
Becky
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