This message is from: "Jeanne Zuker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Congratulations on getting your first Fjord, I have had Olaf for 2 yrs now and I still cannot believe it sometimes when I look out and see him "chowing" on his hay or the grass. I had to wait from March until August in "02 for him to get my place ready for him. You will love your Loki and he you.
I have both an English saddle and a western saddle. I got the Wintec Isbell with the CAIR system, I have the wide gullet system in it and it fits Olaf great. The seat is full suede so I stick to it like glue and it has the added rolls in the front (which can be removed) so my legs stay in position. I got my Crates western saddle last fall, it has full quarterhorse tree and the short skirt so it fits Olaf's shorter back, it doesn't rub on his shoulders or back and it fits him wonderfully. I had to have the stirrups shortened to fit my short legs but the saddle as a whole fits Olaf and me to a "T". I really love this saddle, I plan on doing trail riding for the most part, it does have some silver on it, so you could use it in shows, but you might want to add silver on it if you are getting a show saddle. I know anything with full skirt would not fit Olaf and would rub on him. I hope this helps. I have heard that some of the "treeless" saddles are great for the Fjords since they flex to the wider backs and are comfy for the rider as well but I have no first hand experience with them. The one thing that I was guilty of was putting the saddle too far forward, I did this more with the western saddle then the English but now I have got the position down. One more thing, please get yourself a helmet if you have not already done do, some of the new ones have added vents for better cooling, but alas, you will still have helmet hair.lol. I think letting someone know that there are archieves for the digest that can be searched is great, but to suggest that since a question has been asked before that someone should not ask questions, but rather search the archieves, is doing that person as well as the rest of us a disservice. We all learn by the exchange of ideas and what has worked and not worked for some of us. Sher came here excited about her first Fjord Loki and asked a question about saddles, yes, she can go to the archieves but she should be able to get input from us on her questions and not be made to feel like she should go to the archieves before asking here. I love reading what people are riding in and how they decided on the saddle they got and how it fits their horse and them, as well as some mistakes they made that might save me from the same mistake. JMHO but I think the digest is for information and questions, answers and the exchange of ideas and I hope that does not change. Jeanne and Olaf in MI where today is sunny :>) but cooler, perfect to get Olaf out for a ride, yippee!!!
