RE: [FjordIssues] Fjord Saddles
This message is from: Julia Webb Stephanie, I went with an American Flex saddle after filtering through the archives on both Fjord lists. I'm 5'2-3" and plump too, so, while I liked the idea of treeless, I knew I'd need a tree to keep me from hurting my horse. You can see my actual saddle here (the maker liked what I had ordered so much she took pictures for the page): http://www.american-flex.com/caliente.htm but you will see they have LOTS of different styles. The system uses delrin panels, but there's a solid tree on top attached with swivel ball joints. Rider gets the support and lift of a tree (keeping her off the horses' backs), but the horse gets free shoulder movement and excellent fit of a tree-less panel. I wanted to spend the money on one good saddle that I could use on pretty much anybody, and this is it. I've used it on a tiny arabs, a Fjord, a bowling ball of a Morgan, a warmblood-style Andalusian, a classical dressage Andalusian (very different builds), and I've had friends and trainers use it on quarter horses, percherons and TB crosses. Everybody's amazed at how well it fits, and how well the horses go in it. I use mine for trail riding and Californio style dressage. If you want, when we get moved out there, we can hook up and you can come see mine. (And no...I don't get money from this outfit...I just REALLY like my saddle!) Best, Julia Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
2011 Minnesota Horse Expo
This message is from: laurie with we had a fantastic turnout of fjords, including some new participants this year. as usual, the fjord aisle (yup, we have our own aisle) was packed with visitors and kids who love to see the funny horses with the mohawks. and as usual, we did a stellar demonstration. i may be a little smug, but after watching many of the other breeds, almost without exception, our group provides a sterling ride. the horses are clean, the riders look happy and well dressed for the type of riding they are doing, and also we have GOOD riders. in several other demos, i was quite concerned about the lack of balance and skill shown, with several coming close to coming off their mounts. gotta love the fjords. i posted a video of our long demo (they actually gave us 9 minutes as opposed to other groups who rode 4-5 minutes) both on facebook and on youtube. youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC163M10weM on a special note, dave and sue lusty celebrated their 50th anniversary by again joining everyone at the expo. they provided a yummy dinner for us all, and their cart was adorned with a sign announcing the event to the crowd. congrats! laurie Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
oz and the muzzle
This message is from: laurie with it's muzzle time. best friends has made a new muzzle with a change in design and extra straps which they call houdini horse proof. oz has proven you can't call it fjord-proof. thursday after my ride he had it on. when my pasture partner came to ride later, it was off. she looked everywhere. after our lesson yesterday, i walked the entire mud sucking pasture, bad knee and all, looking for it. on my way back to the fence, i glanced at this huge fallen log that i looked all around the first time past it. sitting nicely on the end, tucked behind the root area, was the muzzle. the plastic buckle had broken, as it should. i laughed out loud. fixed the buckle, and tramped across the pasture again. why are they always at the far end of the pasture when we are looking for them. i got the muzzle back on, readjusted it for better fit. first oz got really mad at one of the mares he shares the pasture with because she wouldn't help him get it off. good, i thought, nobody will help him. i headed for the gate. halfway there i turned around in time to see him walk to the big stump again, tap his head against it and the muzzle popped right off. sigh. back i go. put it back on, gave him the stink eye and hoped for the best. if anyone is interested, i posted a photo of the infamous muzzle on my facebook page. i love my pony. laurie, and oz, who field tests muzzles Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
oz and western dressage
This message is from: laurie with oh, that rhymes, doesn't it? just a small brag about our western dressage clinic last weekend...we had a great variety of breeds there, and it was interesting to see the different ways they worked and carried themselves. oz was the only fjord, and he had the cute factor down completely. however, he also knew his stuff. thanks to paula for his early formal dressage training, and the work we have done together, the clinician said there was very little he could add to how i ride him. he was soft, round, relaxed and of course, cute. i was proud of him, and it was a nice validation to be told i am a good rider after my years of self doubt. we have been having some foot problems, as always in the spring, but i think they have worked themselves out. yesterday we had a great lesson, light again, working on turns on haunches and forehand, leading to small successes at rollaways and such. good pony. laurie and oz, the western dressage king (for a day) Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Re: Fjord Saddles
This message is from: "=?utf-8?B?IGJyb21iaWxAZ29vZ2xlbWFpbC5jb20=?=" I have the new style wintec fitted to my daughters fjord and he's in a wide plate. My fjord was too wide for them so she was fitted to an extra wide ideal highland and cob in a wide seat. I previously used a nickers sensation treeless which she went brilliantly in and was wonderfully comfy but need that for another youngester now! Sent from my HTC - Reply message - From: "S Sexton" To: , Subject: Fjord Saddles Date: Fri, May 13, 2011 23:21 This message is from: S Sexton Hi Everyone, I'm still Fjord shopping but I've realized that I'm probably going to need a new saddle to go with a new horse. My current english all purpose saddle was a custom saddle I picked up used and it fit my very high withered TB like a glove... somehow I don't think it will fit a Fjord very well :) LOL I've been looking into saddles and was curious if many of you have experience with any of the adjustable tree saddles. I know that Wintec/Bates, Pessoa, HDR, and a number of other makers now offer changeable gullets or adjustable gullets. I was somewhat taken by the Tekna brand as they offer an adjustable tree that doesn't require changing parts, just turning a dial. They're also a synthetic saddle and would be somewhat cost effective since I would likely be purchasing 2 saddles - a dressage and an all purpose or a jumping/eventing saddle. Curious to hear any suggestions, especially for fitting a saddle or trying one out without a saddle fitter or saddle shop nearby. There is a tack store up in KC (3 hours away) but I would have to have any trial saddles shipped out so would be trying to find a good fit for horse and me in the shortest number of shipping costs. Also, any suggestions for a cheap saddle that might fight most Fjords that I could pick up now and ride in while I'm picking and fine tuning a nicer option once I get a horse? I saw a few $200 type saddles on horseloverz and M/W and Wide trees were options. Cheers, Stephanie Kansas PS - If anyone knows of a good saddle for those of us who are short (5'3") without going custom, I'd welcome that info too! I'm a bit too curvy (okay, it's extra weight) for a pony saddle and those little 16" seats! Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
