It was rather a rough ending to 2013 with a sudden loss in the family right after Christmas, but as with all things, time will heal and we must sally forth to fight and live and love another day. After an awful migraine yesterday which cancelled even my New Years Eve plans with good friends, I was dead set and determined to ride today. I really wanted to start the New Year right and get out on Scrap this morning--and also test the new saddle I just traded one of my Specialized for! It's a Frank Baines Elite English saddle and it is also buttery soft leather and lovely to look at, especially when modeled by Scrappy-doo:
It seemed like a good fit on his back without a pad, then I added the one English pad I have (borrowed from N, surprise surprise), decided it did indeed feel worth a test ride, and away we went!
The saddle felt great for me, my knees were relieved to be away from fenders after so long, and my metal ankle almost makes a normal proper angle with the leathers (I noticed in photos that it sticks out wonky and doesn't flex side to side well). Scrappy was forward and cheerful, and only wanted to canter. Those of you who have followed our mental/physical/tack figuring out process since I got him in July know that he came to me cranky about cantering and has, with chiropractic work and conditioning, become more and more willing. Still, a freely given canter on both leads means that this guy is feeling *good.*
Not only did he canter willingly on both leads, he threw THREE flying lead changes. 1 of them was super uncoordinated, one of them wasn't too shabby, and one of them was flawless! We were cantering about 10 mph on a loose rein each time and he just popped over on his own. Nifty!
There was a bit of sliding but I didn't tighten the girth that well the first time, being used to a cinch lately. I may have to use my crupper, but we'll see with further tests. Overall it was really comfortable to ride in and he seemed very happy in it.
coming back down the road past Sheza and the little emperor
I was unpleasantly surprised to find matching dry spots on his withers when I untacked at home. The saddle pad wasn't my ideal choice but I haven't played with saddle fit aside from Specialized in a few years, so I'm not entirely sure which direction to go. Maybe a different pad will fix it, maybe it needs to be reflocked? He went so well in it it would be a shame to not be able to use it on him but I won't compromise on fit. I still have to try it on Blaze of course, and there are two fillies in the wings yet to grow up as well! I definitely like the saddle and think I'll hang onto it even if it doesn't pan out for Scrappy (but I hope it does!!).
Here is a Rushcreek ready for multi-days--who has gone 8 miles. And don't let the flames on the rump rug fool ya, it wasn't at a blazing speed either. Woe is Scrappy!
Happy New Year everyone!
Ohhhh, those either-side-of-the-wither dry spots are the bane of my existence...they're a big part of what's made me cave and start looking at saddles other than treed English. Hope you can get 'em sorted and enjoy the saddle on your boy!
ReplyDeletePoor exhausted Scrappy! Woe is him. ;) SO glad you got out on a beautiful day in your new find. Death to fenders!
ReplyDeleteThe Wintec I used on Q used to cause the exact same dry spots (larger than my hand) on either side of her withers. I swapped out from simple pads to Woolbak pad with inserts along the spine. The spots remained. The hair fell out and grew in white, then when she shed her winter coat last year it grew in normal again. I've read that large dry spots like that are indicative of a very close, form-fitting fit, not necessarily a BAD fit. Ultimately, if the horse isn't sore in any way (Q wasn't ever sore, just weird spots then what I believe to be friction from bad pad caused hair/skin issue) then you're good. I did a lot of riding in the Wintec with zero issues other than that strange sweat pattern.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I still ended up getting a treeless Ansur saddle that works amazingly for both Q and I. Her mutton withers and the whole caboodle just go better with the Ansur. She moves so much freer in it, too. I don't know if you've ever tried one or considered something like that, but they're definitely worth checking into. Treeless saddle that CAN be mounted from the ground with minimal issue!! I'm on and off A LOT and have no problem - I do mount quickly and don't hang about on one side in a stirrup though, so this helps.
Fenders drove me crazy too, I swapped them out for 1/5" bio thane leathers and knock-off easy-ride stirrups... my knees and ankles thanked me. If you are looking for an English pad, I can do a custom trimmed or a custom one :) from one slightly red-headed endurance rider to another :)
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