The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread

[HairOfTheDog]

Free Republic has a lot of horse people that have found each other on other threads…. And since we all like to talk horses, how about a thread where it is not off-topic, but is THE topic?

A few of us thought it would be interesting and informative to have a chat thread where we can 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. We may not ~always~ have a lot of activity, but when we do, it will be fun. I will put 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 will also develop a ping list for horse threads that are of interest. 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.

I am hoping this thread will be a 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.

[HairOfTheDog]

When you turn it up-side down, are the two pads underneath really hard or are they fairly plyable still? And are they the same side-to-side?

With age those will harden harden, and you will want to consider that when choosing a pad. Compare to a new one when you are at the tack shop sometime. The new ones are built softer too. I used my old one with a foam cashell cushion under it, but other than the hardening and replacing the cinch and stirrup leathers a couple times, it'll last many more years. I only replaced it because it didn't fit Bay well.

Check the stiching where the cinch leathers connect frequently, because they will rot. Doesn't cost much to have them re-stiched.
If the saddle looks uniform, and she is only sore on one side, I might think she is maybe is sitting crooked or is built crooked ;~D

[CindyDawg]

I had a problem getting him to stand still. I was compounding it by pulling on the reins. They had mr keep my hands off the reins. I use the lead rope to make him be still. (I keep the halter on) If whoa doesn't work I would just tug down. It worked fine until I started mounting solo and no one to remove it. I could almost reach the clip but not quite. He usually stands perfectly still now but occasionally I still use it. Dork riding again, huh? :')

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I'll check it all the next time she has her trailer up here.

I think she's crooked:)

I'm trying to talk her and my DIL into comeing on here.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

No that sounds OK. I was afraid you might have been leaving him tied when you mount.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

Good! I think the thread is a fun idea, and the more the merrier.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Oh and I was thinking of you today when I was riding because I was using my bridle with the english reins. Instead of split reins and tying them you should get you a set of english reins. I use them to trail ride with because they are long enough that the horse can bend down to reach puddles to drink from, but they buckle together so it's like one rein.
I don't know if they all have them but mine also has little leather markers on them so you know you are holding them even on both sides.

Becky

[CindyDawg]

No, only tried that once.

[CindyDawg]

I had the one piece but just too short for me. I was having to lean forward to keep slack. The ones I have now are a 2 piece nylon. I was talking with my instructor about not liking the knot and she told me I could attatch a buckle or any connection to make it work. Sounds about the same as what you are talking about doesn't it? I hate to break in something else. This is my 4th one to try .

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't know if you can see well enough in the pics I posted earlier, but for everyday I use a one-piece rein that is long enough, and that is like a round lead line material. What I really like is it has quick release snaps on both ends to snap it on the bit, and in a pinch on trail I can easily unsnap one end and lead, or unsnap it from the bridle and use it as a tie with his halter.

[HairOfTheDog]

Good night.... horses have been put to bed, and I think I should be too.

[3catsanadog]

I don't have any horses now. I used to have 5 of them (at different times).

I hearby dedicate my participation in the Free Republic Saddle Club to King, Little Joe, Dundee, Rio de Luna and Dare Devil Dan. May you rest in peace in Horse Heaven.

[Tax-chick]

HOTD, Please add Anoreth to your ping list (not me!).

Thanks,
Cy

[Tax-chick]

p.s. Anoreth is my daughter; you can see her picture on the Tax-chick page :-).

[SirTaurus]

Here is my name sake. A trotting stallion I used to care for some 10 yrs ago.I'm certified to train and drive standardbred rachorses. The beauty of this breed is after thier professional career the make wonderful saddlebreds!

[SirTaurus]

Can a horse learn both?

The equine is capable of learning almost anything . Take the lippizan stallions or dressage horses for example.

[AnAmericanMother]

It's a "me-too" knockoff of a Crosby. The Crosby Collegiate is their close-contact model. Occasionally if I ride somebody else's horse I'll ride in one. What a contrast!

[AnAmericanMother]

If the stuffing of the pads on the saddle itself is not uneven or hardened with age, then it could be assymetry in the horse OR in the rider (or both).

Watch her going straight away from you at the walk and at the trot, watch particularly her spine and see if it is straight. She might also have stirrups not quite even or drop one hip out of habit. All those things should be visible from behind as she moves away.

I would try one of the new gel pads - I've found them very effective at preventing sore back in horses, they ought to prevent sore bottoms in humans. Another possibility is to get one of the sheepskin saddle covers - they fit over the cantle and buckle to the D rings in front.

Just FWIW.

[AnAmericanMother]

What Becky said!

These are Prince of Wales spurs without the rounded end. You can see how the shank (that's the part of the spur that sticks out) curves down towards the ground. The spurs come without the straps, so make sure when you put the straps on that the shank's pointing that way.

The longer the shank the more severe the spur. POWs are a relatively mild spur, stick with something along those lines for a first spur, there's less chance of accidentally popping the horse with it. Also, don't turn your toes out to dig the horse. Simply press the SIDE of the spur against him without turning your heels in, you'll find that to be plenty.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Thanks for the info. From what you and Hair have said I think maybe it is going to be something about the saddle. She has used it on many many different horses. But has never had a problem when whe rides in her western saddle or anyone elses English. I feel it has to be that saddle.

She really very seldom uses it except to play in. most to play jocckey. She likes to make the stirrups real short and race her horse with her sister in law. She is mostly a barrel racer. When she was younger and trail rode with her friends she would use the English saddle and that is when she noticed that after awhile she had discomfort in her rump. She got to where she only used it in the 4H shows she competed in. Last month when she used it at the show,(first time in several years) she felt the discomfort alot sooner, my guess is because since she is grown up now she is heavier, which makes sense that it is the saddle.???

Becky

[AnAmericanMother]

That sounds like it's the saddle (there's a reason that cowboys used to call an English saddle a "chafing dish".)

I would look into a gelpad and a sheepskin saddle cover. She can't show with the saddle cover, but it sure will help when she's practicing or just riding around.

Here's a pic of an Alfa gelpad, a popular brand:

And here's the sheepskin pad in place: