This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
--- Denise Delgado <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This message is from: "Denise Delgado" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> what type of > riding do you do now as > opposed to before with the aussie saddle? Denise, When I used my Aussie saddles only I pretty much rode everywhere - they are not limited in their use that way. I rode in parades, at the beach, down the road, on trails, etc. However, when attending shows back then an Aussie saddle was a bit of a quandry for the judges/class stewards. They weren't sure what to do with it. Western riders complained that it was NOT western style - even though I used a western bridle and bit. And it DEFINITELY was NOT English!! What to do with it? In the early Libby shows everything and everyone was pretty "laid back", so there really was no problem with it. I dressed western and went in the western classes. As things became more "organized" it became obvious that the saddle was a "misfit" and I would have to do something else - or not enter in shows. About the same time I began taking riding/training clinics given by Wil Howe. For these you REALLY DO need a true western saddle - for various reasons related to the training - which is ongoing - part of the method. So I found an old western saddle - about 40 years old - that is comfortable and traded my newer Aussie in on it. This old saddle is very comfortable and secure, has lots of ties for trail equipment, has a low, flat horn, AND has a silver horn ornament that is coveted by every cowboy I meet! Extra bonus! I kept the old Aussie to use on Line when I ride her and to use on her for the grandkids. I don't like to put them on her bareback. She's so wide I'm afraid they'll slide off with nothing to hang on to! Hope this answers your question. Also, I know some people question whether a saddle riding further forward on the withers is a good idea. The "further forward" here refers to the fact that an Aussie - properly fitted - rides in the hollow behind the shoulder muscles similar to where a jumping saddle rides(so I've been told), as opposed to a western saddle which puts the rider's weight mostly in the middle of the horse's back - especially on Fjords which tend to be short backed. In fact, that is the reason I bought an Aussie saddle in the first place. Most of the western saddles available at the time were so "long" that I was sitting in the middle of the horse's back and the saddle extended over their rump. Not good. Nowadays western saddles are available in smaller models which fit a Fjord better. The REALLY old saddles - like mine - had only one cinch, called a "center fire" cinch, so the saddles were shorter. Then everyone got the idea they needed TWO cinches (a la roping saddle) to look "macho" or "western" so the saddles got longer - too long for a short-backed horse. Now we are swinging back towards lighter, smaller western saddles again, thank heavens. Those of us with "iffy" backs appreciate the lighter weight when swinging those saddles up on the horse - and I'm sure the horses appreciate it after a long day. There, now you know pretty much everything I know about saddles, which isn't much. Hope it helps. Mary ===== Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com
