This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 6/6/01 10:09:15 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< My preference runs to the Western Saddle but it would seem that an English Saddle might work better as our mare is quite broad across the back. I would appreciate any input from other Fjord owners. >> Hi Sharon- Welcome to the Fjord world! You will soon learn that nothing in a standard size fits Fjords : ) I tried several Western saddles and had problems with all. Both my horse & I got uncomfortable quickly. My normally placid Tommes refused to canter and even bucked me off! This prompted me to search for a better option. I discovered "treeless" saddles and liked the idea. Folks seem to either love or hate them, it's just personal preference. It's my opinion that a good rider rides his horse, not a saddle (flame suit on) and should not rely on a rigid tree for stability. I rode bareback for the first year simply because I couldn't afford a saddle at the time, so I learned good balance. So the saddle for me is insurance: if the horse veers to one side or other or must go up or down a steep incline, I have stirrups and a horn to catch me from falling. My treeless saddle is a dream come true. I can trail ride for hours with no discomfort and yes, we can canter (in a straight line, on the road, always on the left lead, but hey it's a start!). After the ride, the sweat marks tell the story. Perfectly even contact over the entire saddle area, with a small dry line above the spine indicating no pressure. To learn more about this type of tack, visit <A HREF="http://www.sportsaddle.com/";>First Choice Sports Saddle - Riding Comfort Starts Here</A> and <A HREF="http://search.aol.com/redirect.adp?appname=QBP&query=%fa%cb%ba%60%ef%c9% f7%68%89%d2%cd%4a%11%23%a8%f6%2f%4e%2a%5f%32%a8%67%fa%0a%59%6b%16%a4%11%db%20% c6%3c%83%2d%10%48%98%80%02%4e%4c%d9%36%6c%1f%ee%b1%a5%61%af%de%8d%b3%19%2e%7a% f8%1f%e8%e5%f1%64%47%d4%84%b7%0b%fc%cd%c1">You've Found the Ans|r!</A> . Whether you choose English or Western depends on what type of riding you will do most often. Either will work for fun/trail riding. Brigid M Wasson San Francisco Bay Area, CA <A HREF="http://ourfjords.freeservers.com/fjord1/Our_Fjordsx.html";>Our Fjords </A>
