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]

I don't think it will confuse him too much... he can do both. I ride one handed and neck rein Bay when we are cooling down, or when we are just ambling along easy on trail, and he can relax and not be precise. When I pick up both reins again.... he thinks he is workin' again.

[HairOfTheDog]

I get threatened with going back to an english saddle which to me is the same anyway except the stirrups higher.

I like to ride english because it is what I am used to... but I like it on trail because I can lay down on Bay's neck to duck under low-hanging stuff like that picture of my friend above. My friend Bob is glaring at me because I was taking him on such a trail where he had to duck. It's tough for a guy to lean forward in a western saddle ;~D

[HairOfTheDog]

Sure... I've got you on the list!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

My daughter got a wild hair a month or so ago and wanted to go to a small show. She was going to take the palamino to do western and a horse she has to do english. The more she rode them to practice the more we realized we had it backwards. We landed up not taking the palamino anyway tho, because I didn't realize till to late that his coggins had expired. (Turned out they never even checked anyway).

The horse she had she just did both. In the english pleasure class the judge came up and told her at line up that she would have had 1st place if she had had an "English" Bridle. Shows how much we know. We thought, and still do actually, that the bridle she used was just like an english one, it was just that it wasn't leather. It was a hand made one by her father in law. But it had the brow, nose, band throat latch, one longer rein. The judge put her last. I was pissed:), there were people there going around in the wrong lead, with the horses nose stuck out not staying on the rail. Jennys horse was just so smooth, right leads, nose down. Oh well, Jenny said she had fun anyway.

Becky

[CindyDawg]

That's what I'm afraid might confuse him. With the school horses I rode english and used one hand but she wants the split reins tied and me using both hands with Okie for now. The only difference I see is dropping by his neck or pulling back towards me. Maybe i'll talk with her about letting me practice with one hand in the arena but I really feel more secure holding them with both hands.

[HairOfTheDog]

I'll be nervous on ecurbh's first trail ride....I am such a worrier. I want it to be totally safe for him, and so much can happen.

I hope we get to go before too long though, I have friends with quiet enough horses for him to borrow one perhaps, and we can sandwich him in between us ;~D

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I didn't start riding till I was 32 years old. I didn't take lesson or have anyone to teach me. I just winged it. Made ALOT of mistakes and got hurt a few times. I have always rode western saddle. I sat in Jennys english saddle one time years ago and got right off. I was a pretty nervouse rider then anyway and there just didn't seem to be anything there to hang on to:)

Here lately tho, I've been getting real tempted to try her saddle again. (If I fit in it that is),Mainly I think it might be cooler for Rusty, not as much blanket and saddle.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

That's too bad... seems at a small open show, he could have mentioned the bridle was incorrect, and still placed her. That is what schooling shows are for, is learning that stuff.

[CindyDawg]

I want it to be totally safe for him, and so much can happen.

Yeah, I kind of think that's how my instructor feels. I'm not going to do something foolish but I think knowing things can happen keeps me alert and making me a better rider.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

That's kind of what we thought. It was a she. (Well, I think anyway:)

Becky

[CindyDawg]

It's cool though like Hair said. I had to do stretching exercises until I could lay on the neck. Can't do that with the horn. I also learned how to lean forward and reach my stirrups. The one time I tried this western I ended in the dirt :')

[HairOfTheDog]

Would be smaller and lighter... less pad. I am impressed that ecurbh's new synthetic western saddle is really light compared to other western saddles, it still fits only with the big thick pad, and it is hotter.

If you got a forward seat english saddle you'd probably find something there to hang on to, and since I only ride trail anyway, I leave my stirrups longer than I would for a hunt-seat class. Easier on old knees on a long trail. ;~D

[CindyDawg]

I like my purple saddle best though:')

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

OOOKKKKK, so whats a forward seat english saddle? :)

Heather, the girl that comes rides with me on Wed. has a synthetic saddle. They are nice and light weight. I thought about one of those too. That's what Cindy has. Just leaning towards English for the fun of something differnt now tho.

Heather does jumping at a stable she rides at. But she only get to ride there an hour a week. All her mother and dad can afford. She rides Rocky and we've been teaching her to run barrels. He's a great barrel horse. I think I've about got her converted to liking western riding better:)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

LOL, just noticed, 2 dogs:)

Well ladies, I HAVE get out of here for awhile and do my bible study for tomorrow.

Great thread, I'm really going to enjoy it. Thanks:)

Might check back in tonight, but another busy day tomorrow so I need to get to bed.

Becky

[AnAmericanMother]

He looks steady and he's got really good arm position. Think you've got a winner there. :-D

Do you think his stirrups might be a thought too long? Not that I would know - the guys on the ranch used to laugh at me because I rode so short. Since I started doing dressage my stirrups are longer (and our trainer makes us all work lots without stirrups at all, which seems to stretch my legs) but I still put 'em up two holes to jump.

[HairOfTheDog]

Forward seat is a jumping saddle.... probably is what Heather's got. It has a higher cantle than some others, deep seat with a high enough 'pommel' that you can grab in there with your fingers if you need... and knee rolls that help hole your leg in position.

Here's mine, synthetic, only weighs about 10 pounds.

Took that pic during a lunch break on a trail ride... And though you wouldn't want to take a chance with most horses grazing with a long line they can get caught in.... Bay is unusually quiet about that kind of thing. If he gets caught up in it, he just stands there till I fix it. I wouldn't leave him like this unattended < /trail safety disclaimer >

[ecurbh]

He looks steady and he's got really good arm position. Think you've got a winner there.

Thanks! ~grin~

We've tried the stirrups both higher and lower, and so far, this length feels about right. It's still a work in progress, though.

[AnAmericanMother]

Oh, the one hand/two hand controversy! I'm firmly on the two-handed side - even put an egg butt snaffle on my ranch horse (much to his surprise!) Of course I've been taught to ride "on contact", so I almost always have both hands on the reins, unless I bridge them in one hand temporarily to whack the Gracie mare over the bottom with my crop. :-D

My objection to grabbing the saddle horn is that it's so close to your body it tends to lever you up and out of the saddle. Of course, the pommel of an English saddle is closer to ones body than the horn of a Western one. Better to grab the mane if you're going to be grabbing. When I'm jumping a strange horse or working with a green jumper I just get a handful of mane two strides out. But that's more to keep from nailing the horse in the mouth than to keep my balance. I've always discouraged grabbing as a general rule . . . if you sit down and back and keep your heels down, that's a better way to hang on.

[HairOfTheDog]

Better to grab the mane if you're going to be grabbing.

I agree, especially mounting. The mane is going where the horse is.... the saddle may not ;~D