Tonka and I can ride bareback!
And here I've been saying all along that we can't/don't like to.
And here I've been saying all along that we can't/don't like to.
Yeah, so we have a bareback pad. I'm wondering if the texture of it helps me to not slide around on my slippery trout/horse like I did in the past. It didn't much help with the pressure where his spine met my tailbone. But he didn't complain, and we didn't ride long.He was completely relaxed. His ears were very amusing, flopping loosely to the sides, like Eeyore.
It made me so darn happy I had to go get him this evening and do it again.Stinkin' saddle issues...
His big shoulder moves back so much when he takes a step that it jams into the saddle even when it seems like he has great clearance up near the wither and all along the shoulder when he's standing still. It reminds me of what they say a gaited horse's shoulder does. It's right about under where my knee is in the photos that he has the most obvious damage - big knots under the skin. My sister and I gave him a massage today and he loved it.
I have contacted Black Forest saddles and asked them what they can do to help me. I met the guy who makes them a couple years ago and sat in one of the saddles and it was very comfortable. Since I sold my Fred Hook I have a little money, but have spent some on hay, so not really enough for a new saddle. We'll see what happens.
Oh, and by the way, I did buy the ultra-expensive Chris Cox saddle pad with my dad's generous birthday check. It made the saddle bridge, but it did almost take the pressure off the trouble area. I've asked if they have a satisfaction guarantee but I doubt I'll get my money back. It is a very nice pad but not going to fix my problems.
So, for the benefit of anyone out there in cyberspace doing a search:
Used Chris Cox Signature Series Saddle Pad for sale. $210.
His big shoulder moves back so much when he takes a step that it jams into the saddle even when it seems like he has great clearance up near the wither and all along the shoulder when he's standing still. It reminds me of what they say a gaited horse's shoulder does. It's right about under where my knee is in the photos that he has the most obvious damage - big knots under the skin. My sister and I gave him a massage today and he loved it.
I have contacted Black Forest saddles and asked them what they can do to help me. I met the guy who makes them a couple years ago and sat in one of the saddles and it was very comfortable. Since I sold my Fred Hook I have a little money, but have spent some on hay, so not really enough for a new saddle. We'll see what happens.
Oh, and by the way, I did buy the ultra-expensive Chris Cox saddle pad with my dad's generous birthday check. It made the saddle bridge, but it did almost take the pressure off the trouble area. I've asked if they have a satisfaction guarantee but I doubt I'll get my money back. It is a very nice pad but not going to fix my problems.
So, for the benefit of anyone out there in cyberspace doing a search:
Used Chris Cox Signature Series Saddle Pad for sale. $210.
You might be able to find a used Black Rhino - they are hand made and have a good flare in the shoulders, unlike most saddles. I'm thinking of looking into one for Dawn, who has the same shoulder issue as your boy.
ReplyDeleteLove the bareback pics - he does look relaxed!
Good job. What kind of bareback pad do you use? I've never owned one. My first horseback ride ever though, we used one. (I think it's all my friends owned--I never saw them with a saddle). I had a bad experience with it--didn't know what I was doing--got dumped out in the Las Vegas desert and had to walk home. In my young mind, I blamed it on the pad--so have never used one since.
ReplyDeleteKate - I've never heard of Black Rhino saddles, I'll look them up.
ReplyDeleteLinda - this one is my sister's - a Reinsman bareback pad with felt on bottom and a tapestry material on top. The texture gives it some grip but a person would have to keep in mind that if they try to grab the grab strap when they lose their balance, they might just roll right off. I have a bareback pad of my own that has attachments for a breastcollar, which I think is a good idea. But the fabric is more slick.
So, you feel like your sister's stays in place?? I need one. When I ride bareback I do the skin to jeans routine and it gets rather sweaty.
ReplyDeleteIt stays in place just fine. I like it a lot. I haven't tried mine yet, but I'm guessing you'd want to stick with a felt or real wool fleece bottom and a textured top. There are a lot of nice ones out there with suede now, but they might be expensive. I think this Reinsman one is just fine. I'm using it with a wide Weaver Smart Cinch - I think it's a mohair blend. I think that gives it more grip.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info.
ReplyDelete