>>> Thanks for the thorough and lengthy answer. Now I'm really scared.
Sorry! If it helps, Sina still reigns as my hardest to fit horse of all times, although most Icelandic's can be a real challenge. Wasn't I just too darned lucky that I had to fall in love with the most difficult to fit horse on the PLANET as my first Icelandic...? :) I just loved her so much - she's so safe and dependable, and I was so banged up when I got her, just recovering from my broken back. I NEEDED the confidence that she gave me. She's got a wonderful combination of dependability and good-sense, but she's absolutely not a deadhead. I wouldn't be riding like I do now if she hadn't helped me with my post-injury issues. Within six months of buying her, maybe a year after my accident, I was enjoying riding more than I ever had before, and considering the injury I'd had, I think that tells you a lot about my girl. That's why I HAD to keep searching for a saddle for her, stupid as it may sound. Finding another horse just wasn't an option...never will be, as long as she's rideable, no matter how many other horses I ride part-time. She's my number one. We're not distance riders, nor do we play them on the Internet, but if you take any comfort from anything I've learned, please remember that Cary is a BIG guy - 235 pounds. He's fit and athletically built for an old fart of 53, and a fairly balanced rider. And his 235 pounds is spread over 6'2". He usually rides about 2 hours at a time, but he sometimes rides as much as 4-5 hours. The longest I remember him riding in the Sensation was about 20 miles, split in 3-4 rides over maybe 24 hours - he's done that in the Sensation a few times when we've gone on some of our weekend riding vacations, taking our own horses. (So did I, but I'm smaller, so that's not exactly noteworthy.) So, while he's not riding distances that you do, he DOES have a lot more weight to contend with. Skjoni is by far happier in the Sensation than with any saddle we've tried on him - we've never seen any signs of soreness. Treeless may not be YOUR answer, but since you "only" weigh about 160, I would certainly not let weight be a deterrent. Good luck, no matter what you decide! Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1206 - Release Date: 1/1/2008 12:09 PM
