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Thread Six: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1414401/posts |
Posted on 03/21/2005 7:18:04 PM 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 Becky pings everyone most mornings. Let Becky (Paynoattentionmanbehindthecurtain) 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
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
A lady my daughter knows, bought a yearling paint stud, at the same sale we got Biscuit. We were thinking of breeding the Arabian, Jody to him. She is 6 now, and we ever are gong to, we should now. She is purebred, with no papers. At least we could get a registered pinto. She wants my daughter to ride a mare for her, in exchange for stud fee. He looked really nice as a yearling, but I would want to see how he turned out. He is homozagous black and white.
I had fun with the maps too.. 
Hey, I'm thinking of getting my daughter a new western saddle to use on trails, any suggestions? I like barrel saddles alot, they really hug your butt, and I've been searching them and see lots of interesting ones. The only thing that bothers me about them is that they don't have the little strings to tie saddlebags on. I've seen a few interesting trail saddles but nothing so far that knocks my socks off. My daughter usually rides english but I think she needs a western saddle for trails.
I've always thought a QH/Arab, would probably make about the best trail horse you could ask for:)
The weather has cooled off alot here, I'm getting ready to go get a horse saddled, then will do some mowing.
Work Mon....eewww sorry:) My daughter and I and a few other ladies I know are going to a neighboring ranch that is hosting an AQHA trail ride. The flyer says 5hour ride, and lunch. I'm looking forward to it:)
I heard from Maureen yesterday. I'm glad she is doing better, but darn, I bet that hurt, makes me cringe.
Becky
I like this one alot and it's not too expensive.
My saddle is built on a barrel racing tree, but it was custom made to my specs. I had it double skirted and rings put on to tie strings on. I think you could take any saddle in and have them added, I think Hair did it to her English Saddle.
Barrel saddles do make good trail saddles as they are usually pretty light weight. Unfortunatly mine isn't, about 30-40 lbs. I had it made before I started CTRs. I wanted a pretty saddle, for my pretty horse:).
I've thought seriously about getting a differnt one several times. But altho it is heavy, it has never sored up a horse, it has fit every horse I've put it on, and it is very comfortable to me. Sooooo, I'm going with, "if it's not broke, don't fix it:)". I also paid a good amount for it, and know I'd never get that back beings the use and abuse it's been put thru.
Becky
You can't go wrong with a custom saddle, that's for sure. I didn't want to spend that much money, since she really prefers to ride english. I do have a custom english saddle that she's stolen from me. :)
Do you know the brand?
The thing you have to be careful of is where the leather came from. Alot of the more inexpensive western saddles comes from Mexico, and the leather there is terrible. But of course you would also need to consider the amount of use it's going to get.
Truly, if I was going to get a new saddle, I'd probably go with one of the nylon types, Abetta. They are so durable and easy to clean. They may wear out quicker then a leather, but it would still take years, and they are inexpensive enough that IF you wore one out, you could easily replace it.
Becky
I'd look at the Abetta ones then.
Becky
I think the brand was Saddlesmiths of Texas, or something like that.
I do like those Abetta saddles and I've seen some that look like leather, but it's not. I thought I might hit some saddle shops today and see if they have any in stock. I want to feel it before I decide on something like that.
As you know, I ride english on trail and I guess I feel secure, I've never ridden anything else. and I did have rings added to it for strings. I can tie a coat or saddle bags or lines and halters to it.
You can add rings to any saddle. The one you picture looks like it could also serve as an amature show saddle, and if she wants that dual purpose, that'd be great. However, for just trail, I don't think you can beat the neopreen synthetic saddles, they only weigh a few pounds (I don't know what) and can be hosed off if they get muddy.
I don't know what you consider inexpensive, but the saddle shop that made mine, makes a barrel saddle that runs around the $1000 mark. They're made with very high quailty Herman Oaks leather, and would last a life time. I DON'T consider that inexpensive:) but for the quality they are good saddles.
They don't have a web site, but the shop is called Allen Ranch Saddle Shop in Bixby.
Becky
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Now the rest of the country will know it, too.
The Warren-Youngstown-Boardman area, including some western Pennsylvania neighborhoods, placed first among the nation's most affordable larger housing areas, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index released Tuesday.
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I am still going to try an English Saddle some day, maybe when my ship comes in:). I just remember how hard it was to adjust when I changed saddles the last time, I swore I'd never do that again. But I ride a lot better now then I did then, so I don't think it would throw me off so bad now.
Becky
I did want to keep it under $1000, the one in the pic is $850.
Check this place out, www.teskeys.com. It's a new huge saddle and tack shop in Weatherford, Texas, about an hour or so away from me. I'd like to drive over there today but I have a lame donkey that I'm keeping an eye on. I may have to have the vet out today.
I still intend to come ride with you sometime, and I'll bring mine, if you haven't gotten around to it yet by then!
I think I said Neoprene in my post... I didn't mean that... My brain was trying to say "Cordura".
The one in the picture looks great. I think you are smart to want to feel it first tho:). I'd think it would be fine.
Becky
Yeah, Cordura:), I couldn't think of that either, so I just said nylon.
Becky
You won't like it. A western saddle is more comfortable since your weight is spread out over a larger area. It's a whole lot easier to go from an english rider to a western rider, than the other way around. I do enjoy both styles but I'm not great at either one, since I ride with a bareback pad most of the time.
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