[IceHorses] re: saddles
--- Robyn Hood [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I would say that initially the saddle looks like it might fit like a glove. But while I would have once thought that was a good thing having met Carol Brett about 8 years ago I started looking at saddle fit differently. Interesting..thanks for the specifics Having a wide enough tree so that even when there is a rider on you can easily slide your hand down the front of the saddle between the tree point and the horse with room. The Balance idea is that the tree should be wide enough and then you use padding to fill in. Their padding system is really clever because you can layer the pads, with Velcro, and as the horse builds muscle (and they can only build muscle if there is enough room and are ridden correctly) you end up taking out padding. Thank you as I have never heard it descibed that way. I think people do the best they can and I think that saddle fit has always been one of the biggest issues for horses (along with feet, teeth). since we have gotton our Icelandics Saddles have been an issue for going on almost6 years now How the rider sits in the saddle and rides will also make tremendous difference to how they feel about the saddle - a great saddle with a rider who is unbalanced and hangs on the reins can be worse than a less than ideal saddle with a balanced rider - at least IME. I will agree with that. And my balance is something that I am acutely aware of. I really try my best to ride balanced...it has been important to me because of my sizeand hanging on the reins, well it has never been much of an issue for meI learn to ride western and hanging on the reins was not part of thatthe horn, yes, the reins no.. :) Well I will say that I use a corrector pad under every saddle that I ride init has been the best pad we have found for my needsit does have a velcro system of pads, and I have taken out a set before after months of riding...now I know why...so thanks for that specific information Robyn I wonder if that saddle fitter wants some time in Hawaii? Skye Fire Island Eco-Treks-808-443-6085 Fire Island Professional Farrier Service-640-6080
[IceHorses] Re: saddles
Didn't Pam Hansen order a Dave Genadek's saddle a while back??? Does anyone know how she likes it??? Did I miss the posts from her about this??? I have sent several clients to Dave who the Sensation did not work for, but no Icelandics as yet. His saddles have worked well for them, but they were horses with much longer backs non-gaited. Would love to know how it is working out for an Icey. Kaaren
[IceHorses] Re: saddles
I totally agree with Robyn about her saddle fit observations. After taking several clinics with the Balance ladies lessons ongoing from Carol Brett when she's in our neck of the woods, I choose to use recommend a padding system that allows for the inevitable muscle engorgement that occurs during work can easily be changed as the horses back changes. This means as Robyn pointed out, that if you use a treed saddle that the tree fork comfortably allow for this type of padding system. I've seen horses that went fine according to their riders, go from fine to moving better than they could have imagined with far less need for body work/chiropractic with just that change alone. Of course, feet/dental rider are all variables that fall into the equation as well should not be minimized. I really like the Balance Padding systems take their foam out of the pad cover cut to fit in an All-In -One Skito pad cover for both my Sensation saddles. I love the Balance 1/4 JB take that out of the cover , shape it use it as a center shim or front lift shim. You can also buy the Prolite 1/2 foam 1/2 pads from the UK do the same, but they do not offer the 1/4 Prolite for shimming. Kaaren
[IceHorses] Re: saddles
Make sure that you check the saddle fit front/cantle with the rider IN the saddle with all the padding you intend to use standing AND moving with a sidewalker to do the checking. If the rider tries to do this when they are in they either lean forward or back giving a skewed reading. Kaaren
Re: [IceHorses] Re: saddles
--- Kaaren Jordan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Make sure that you check the saddle fit front/cantle with the rider IN the saddle with all the padding you intend to use standing AND moving with a sidewalker to do the checking. If the rider tries to do this when they are in they either lean forward or back giving a skewed reading. Kaaren Very good point Kaaren. Sally will walk beside me to do the initial check with a new or newer saddle. We just keep checking a lot during the first month of use...once she figures it is putting on the pressure she has me put my fingers there, standing still and at a walkshe is a pesky thing when she wants to be, but if my horse is happy and relaxed, then we both have a much better ride.this addle was initially purchased for her gelding Funi. It was a present from me to her...but I ended up with it much to her own dismay. Skye Fire Island Eco-Treks-808-443-6085 Fire Island Professional Farrier Service-640-6080
[IceHorses] Re: saddles
I recommend the RP for quite a few of my saddle fit clients who don't do well in Treefrees/Torsions or Sensations. You do have to have a really skilled RP fitter that will travel to you to make them work over the long haul. They are pricey, but worth it as they hold their re-sale value. Kaaren
[IceHorses] Re: Saddles
--- In IceHorses@yahoogroups.com, Nancy Sturm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: How weird do you suppose it would look if I hung them on the dressage saddle? I'd sure feel safer. Nancy ---If it works for you, then go for it! Besides, looks are only for the show ring, not the real world :-). I have been using EZ Rides with full tapaderos on my Sensation Dressage. Looks kinda like a trooper style saddle. I LOVE my EZ Rides! Dawn Bruin-Slot, northern Michigan Fuzzy Logic Equine
Re: [IceHorses] Re: Saddles
I cant live without EZ rides and I put them on every saddle i ever use and I cant reallly figure out what there is about them that help me feel more secure. I dont jam my feet real deep in them. I kinda think its that I am not in a fixed position in the stirrup. because they are so wide I can kinda angle my feet at an angle that is more safe and secure for me. I have very chubby thighs and if you try and force me into a correct dressage position it just doesnt work at all. Picture a kid in a snow suit with arms and legs straight out :) something like that :) Its more than just not having knee pain after a while like I do in other stirrups, there really is a sense of security. Also in english stirrups I feel like they are too free moving. Dont knw why or why I feel EZ rides arent. Just do. when I put pressure in the stirrup it doesnt go anywhere real fast like an english stirrup does... Janice-- yipie tie yie yo
[IceHorses] Re: Saddles Iceys
I love my Sensation and so does Emmy (the horse)! When I went to try Emmy the previous owner said she had used an Icelandic saddle but had just sold it so she was now using a western saddle. So I brought my Sensation to try her in. Well I rode her for about 45 minutes or more. The previous owner said to take all her tack off as she loves to roll in the soft sand arena. Well I untacked her and startd to walk away with the saddle in hand...she followed me wanting to sniff this saddle!! SO I held it for her and she sniffed it all over for a good three four minute...the look on her face was priceless..she was so interestedshe never did go and roll!! She just followed me around. THe previous owner was flabbergasted she said SHE always trots away and has a good roll!! I take that Emmy really liked the Sensation!! Zoe in BC
[IceHorses] Re: saddles
I was wondering if any of the mule and icelandic owners on this list have found a saddle that fits both. If not, what is your favorite mule saddle? Also, does anyone have any experience with the Fox Valley Saddlery Icelandic saddles being sold on ebay? Thanks! Meg
[IceHorses] Re: saddles
--- In IceHorses@yahoogroups.com, The Lund family [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was wondering if any of the mule and icelandic owners on this list have found a saddle that fits both. If not, what is your favorite mule saddle? I think it's possible for a treeless saddle to fit both, but that is probably about it. I have given up on a treed saddle for the mules because I like an english style saddle, and a normal one won't fit them properly. Most saddles have a dip in them, front to back, and the mule's back is very straight, that is just not going to work right, there would be a lot of rocking front to back, I tried several just to see if they would fit. I am pretty sure it will hurt them, I wouldn't even try it. I had an A-Fork Durango, Flex tree, Circle Y, for the mule, it fit, it probably would have worked, but I just can't get used to a western saddle right now, there is too much between me and the horse. Of course this same saddle would be way too long for my Icelandics, they have much shorter backs. All I actually have right now is a custom bareback pad, and this will fit all of them. Kim
