Saturday, January 10, 2009

Here's the new saddle! It felt weird at first, but after riding for a few minutes it was fine. For me, that is. I'm not sure about Tonka. It rides forward. I wonder if that's how these saddles are supposed to sit? Kind of like an Orthoflex sits on the shoulders? I know some saddle sites even say a hard tree is supposed to sit over the shoulders, but I don't think they meant on a bony horse like Tonka. Suggestions?

Also, does anyone know a good way to punch more holes in a nylon latigo strap? A hot nail has been suggested, but how the heck do I get it that hot?

I'm going to ride again today, Kara is coming out and she's going to ride Cisco. It ought to be fun! And hopefully I'll get some more insight on how this saddle works. Kara has the same saddle so maybe she can help me out.

5 comments:

Lady Of Chaos said...

You use a lighter to get it hot. Just light it and keep the flame on the end of the nail until it's really hot, then immediately punch it through the nylon. It works great. Oh, don't pull the nail out until it and the nylon are cool.

I have no idea if those saddles are supposed to fit like that or not. Did Tonka seem to mind it at all?

Kara said...

I had that same problem when I was trialing the saddle...because I cinched it up using both rigging straps. I've since replaced the nylon latigo (like leather better, just rigged like a western saddle with off billet), and I only use the front rigging. It doesn't slide up anymore. There's just something about when you use the back rigging, it makes the saddle want to ride up and center itself over where the rigging wraps around the horse. I guess you wither have to cinch up further back on the horse, which doesn't seem to stay either...the cinch like to be in that narrow spot behind their elbows.

Kara said...

It looks very nice on him, though...

Kara said...

Sorry, I don't edit my posts very well, "wither" = "either"

Lea and her Mustangs said...

That is exactly how you get it that hot. I don't want any saddle that far up on the shoulders. I don't know.