saddle fit, Again
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dave Genadek , saddle maker, http://www.aboutthehorse.comhas produced a great video about saddle fit with suggestion on how to make you present saddle fit better with shimming. Here is from his website: "The Video, "About Saddle Fit", is a 45 minute clear, common-sense explanation of saddle fit . You will learn: * About the Horse and how his body works * What Proper saddle fit is and why * What makes a saddle tree fit * What the rigging does and how * What makes a seat comfortable * Why saddles have skirts * How to tell if your saddle fits * The truth about padding * How to stop a poorly designed saddle from hurting your horse" the video only costs $25 US. You can order it online: https://secure.cnchost.com/aboutthehorse.com/html/videopadorderform.shtm Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, light rain, still mild, gold leaves all over the ground
RE: Stumbling ponies
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have one of the roller style girths I used on my Percheron (when I was looking for anything that would make it easier to saddle the big girl!!). Having followed the directions that came with it, I never found it any easier to tighten than a normal Western girth. Although I certainly can't speak for your ponies, my Joe (7 year old gelding with lots of saddle time) stumbles quite a bit when he is not paying attention - regardless of whether I am riding him with a saddle or bareback, and regardless of whether he is in the ring, on the street, or on the trail. Once I get him engaged, the stumbling disappears. It is usually enough to just ask him to do some simple serpentines or switch between a trot and a walk a few times for him to register that he needs to put his brain in gear. With respect to saddles, I tried my two Aussie saddles on him (one designed for my Trakehner mare and one for my Percheron mare), and neither fit. Took some photos and his measurements to a saddler in my area who took a look and suggested that only an Arab tree would fit him, or to go with a treeless. I got a treeless saddle, and will never go back! Joe seems as comfortable in it as in his bareback pad, and the same goes for me. My trainer just tried it out last week and said she had never had a more comfortable ride (not sure if it was the saddle, or the Barca-lounger experience of riding a Fjord). although there is no tree, there is a fiberglass form in the front and over the cantle to form a secure seat; the front form has a good handwidth of space over his withers. Kate and Joe (basically, the best pony ever) -Original Message- From: "Sue" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I would like like to know how to use a western girth strap with two rollers in one end. (It is supposed to be much easier to tighten.) We are using it but have no idea if we are using it properly. It has one roller on the outside edge and one in the center of the girth that the tying strap goes into. Also while returning back from a ride the other day, I shoved or at least tried to shove my hand under the front of the saddle. The blasted saddle was sitting right down on Peppins body. Absolutely no clearance! I tried a thicker pad...same thing. Is this what everyone is talking about Fjords being hard to fit with a saddle? Luckily, I had another old saddle here with a higher tree.now I have lots of clearance. Does a tight saddle like the former impede the way a horse moves? Peppin and Storm are both stumbling quite a bit when we are on their backs but do fine under harness. Neither pony has had all that much time under the saddle. Are they stumbling because they have to learn balance while carrying a rider?...or are they just gloming for leaves and not paying attention. Both Fjord Ponies are shod. One is a six year old and the other 4. Would ring work on a smooth terrain help these guys or should we practice them walking and then trotting over poles. The trail is very rough in places and even though we are just walking them, they stumble frequently. Otherwise we are having a great time riding, as both ponies are wonderful. Randy's "Storm" is much livelier but that suits him just fine. Peppin, from Deere Country Fjords (John and Eunice Bosomworth), is very quiet and loveable...much like going for a ride on an overgrown dog. I love him! Hope everyone is enjoying the fall season. I haven't had time to read much of the digests latelyso am attempting to catch up now. If anyone has any ideas for me re pony, girth and saddle, I would much appreciate them. Happy trails, Sue in N.B. (Storm and Peppin's mom)
Re: stumbling horses
This message is from: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jean, I know you must think I am patronizing you - I am not. I don't know you> All I can say is that when I am on one train of thought, you present such logic that sends me to the light. BTW I do love your weather reports. I thought treeless was an easy way to go until you pointed out the what should have been obvious flaws. Thank you! Carole in Northern WV. 70's j--just back from a visit to Nancy Roemer and her Fjords.She is a lovely person blessed with a lovely farm and horses. I am gratefull for her attention. Yeah Starfire Farm! This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I just Looked at the 4-beat. In the FAQ's it says that the tree has > solid wood cantle and pommel..but the bars are rubber. Not good, in my > opinion. A solid tree, properly shaped and fitted to the horse, will > support the rider, spread the weight. those flexible bars will sore the > horse. There ARE some totally flexible trees on the market. The Boz > saddles have a totally flexible tree.. for one. I am not sure if this > would work well. The flex panel saddles such as Ortho-Flex, etc.have > solid trees with flexible panels attached.. The Treeless or "half > tree"saddles such as the Bob Marshall Sport saddle seems to work for > some riders.. > > Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, nice fall day again. 65 degrees > > I was wondering if anyone has tried a 4 beat saddle on a fjord? >>http://gaitsofgold.com/new/content/category/4/23/88/ >> >>I know that this saddle was designed for the gaited horse, but in some >> ways fjords share some common problems with gaited breeds. A lot of >> gaited horses have a low withers, and round short back. This saddle is >> treeless, or built on flexible pannels instead of a tree. It also puts >> the heels slightly ahead of the hips, a possition I find much more >> comfortable for all day rides. >> >>anyone out there have one? >> >>janet
Re: stumbling horses
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I just Looked at the 4-beat. In the FAQ's it says that the tree has solid wood cantle and pommel..but the bars are rubber. Not good, in my opinion. A solid tree, properly shaped and fitted to the horse, will support the rider, spread the weight. those flexible bars will sore the horse. There ARE some totally flexible trees on the market. The Boz saddles have a totally flexible tree.. for one. I am not sure if this would work well. The flex panel saddles such as Ortho-Flex, etc.have solid trees with flexible panels attached.. The Treeless or "half tree"saddles such as the Bob Marshall Sport saddle seems to work for some riders.. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, nice fall day again. 65 degrees I was wondering if anyone has tried a 4 beat saddle on a fjord? >http://gaitsofgold.com/new/content/category/4/23/88/ > >I know that this saddle was designed for the gaited horse, but in some ways >fjords share some common problems with gaited breeds. A lot of gaited >horses have a low withers, and round short back. This saddle is treeless, >or built on flexible pannels instead of a tree. It also puts the heels >slightly ahead of the hips, a possition I find much more comfortable for all >day rides. > >anyone out there have one? > >janet
Fjord raffle tickets
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 9/11/2005 7:39:02 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: -- Would the person who is selling the raffle tickets for charity please email me? Patty
stumbling horses
This message is from: "Janet" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I sure would suspect saddle fit as the root cause of stumbling, esp if the same horse does not stumble in harness and all other possibilities have been examined. I am fortunate to occaisionally ride with a lady who gives seminars on saddle fit, and she showed me how my saddle was putting pressure on my mare's shoulder and causing her stumbling. I was wondering if anyone has tried a 4 beat saddle on a fjord? http://gaitsofgold.com/new/content/category/4/23/88/ I know that this saddle was designed for the gaited horse, but in some ways fjords share some common problems with gaited breeds. A lot of gaited horses have a low withers, and round short back. This saddle is treeless, or built on flexible pannels instead of a tree. It also puts the heels slightly ahead of the hips, a possition I find much more comfortable for all day rides. anyone out there have one? janet
