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Posted on 07/14/2005 3:23:55 PM PDT 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
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FIVE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SIX
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
My mom has a photo like that snow picture from when she worked up there after high school, with a big track-plow vehicle parked on top of the lodge next to a chimney.
That's the truth.... I never had a rub on Bay till recently, and I'm trying a fleece cinch cover now, as well as keeping my cinch fairly loose and further back.
I think Bay's skin is getting thinner or more delicate as he's gotten older. I know my dad complains that his own skin has gotten paper thin as he's gotten older, nicking himself very easily, and I've come to believe that's also the case with Bay. My friend's mule who is quite aged now had the same trouble the last couple years before he retired.
My trainer told me I was going to have to get kid ones. Uh huh. I found room to raise the stirrups up one more notch.
Well I'm buying me another bike today. Since I quit riding my weight inching back up too. We went to the island last night. Saw how the rich and famous live. Eddies boss gave us his condo for the weekend. It's right on the beach and gorgeous. We went swimming in the pool last night and watched a movie. We got up this morning and nothing really to do so we came home. I've been mowing and playing the piano. I'm going out to the stables when it cools down. I guess we are just not the relaxing kind of people. Not having anything to do stressing:')
Ok, I'm back. I've got everything together. I was leading him to the arena to test and Mack called and needs me to check the radar, looks like rain is coming, he is on a job.
Real quick, does any of you ladies know the lenght of the stirrup straps you use? I got 60 inch, they look long enough, but I don't have much extra going thru the loop, I've got some, just not as much as what hairs looks like.
Becky
I just measured and I those are the same as mine. 60 inch to the end of the leather, ~62 to the end of the buckle.
Rats, Mack's not there? Is there someone there who can get pics of you in it?
OK, well I'm off to give this a try, it will be a short test, I haven't put in the gullet thing, I'm going to let Mack do that, and it's blisteringly hot, but I'd like to take a spin around the arena. I'll get some pictures before I dismantle him:)
Becky
You can sit in it enough to arrive at a good starting stirrup length at least :~D
No he's not here right now, but I'll test it again later today when he gets that gullet thing in.
(I think I'm nervous:)
Becky
It'll still be your horse under there.... he'll just feel different.
You don't want the ends flapping around past the keeper - just enough to keep them tucked in. That is why I have the shorter leathers - the ends would be hitting poor Gracie in the butt.
Oh my gosh, I may become one of those snooty English people, that was wonderful:)
Becky
You liked it? You really liked it!! :~D
Waiting for pictures. :~D
I landed up haveing to put the stirrup straps in the hole for the shortest setting, and they still may be a tiny bit too long. Should I go back and get a shorter set, (which they don't have), or just make another hole? There really isn't that much hanging thru the keeper, you'll see when I post the pictures.
Becky
I'd punch holes if you think you'll need to... I've punched a hole or two very short for kids. you can always cut off the straps if they're too long, you just can't make them longer.
That rubber's so thick when I've made new holes, I did it with the drill.
Yes, I like the way it felt alot.
Some of the things I notice, Oh and BTW, I didn't even bother with the arena I went and made a short trail loop, I noticed immediately that not having the swells and horn in front of me my hands just naturally, without me having to think stayed low like they should, which inturn kept him from raising his head. I didn't get a breast plate yet, so I didn't have the tie down. I also noticed that I could actually keep my feet in position better, they weren't so locked in and it wasn't so stiff trying to keep them in front of me. And I did walk, trot and lope!!!
The major thing to get use to will be getting on with out pulling the saddle. But other then that I liked it alot. Now I'll have to let you know later, after a spook, if I think they are as secure:)
Becky
Well they didn't have the synethic straps in a longer size, so I got leather.
Becky
I do recall some kind of warning about not using leather with the synthetics, but it's ~possible~ that's the Wintec people trying to sell their own stuff. Watch for any sign that the leather is wearing marks on the flaps. I've got very little wear on the surface of my flaps, and I've had it three years. If you see any wear happening, I'd get the synthetic straps. If you never see any, I may switch to leather myself, just because it lays flatter.
I'm just glad you liked how it felt! It feels very natural to me, and the extra cushion in them makes for a more comfortable ride at the trot and lope, I think.
I always go for keeping the gear as simple as possible, so if you can get by without the breastcollar and martingale, I'd be happy. It may not slide back on you going up hill... I've seen these saddles stay in place over some pretty serious jumps without breastcollars. It sortof depends on how well it settles in on him.
When I mount, I grab mane, not the saddle. Helps keep from pulling the saddle over too. What I think you'll learn to like if you ever have low overhanging branches is how you can lay forward and get out of the way of branches.
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