This message is from: "Cliff Dukes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hello everyone,
First time poster here.
My name is Cliff and I'm in Oregon. I've had horses for 10 years but for
the past 2 years I have had only one. My 3+ yr old Fjord gelding of the
draftier type. Gotta love the breed. I'm always chuckling at other peoples
"well trained" horses as they spook, bolt, or jump around like idiots while
my Fjord just stands there and looks at me like "What the heck are they
doing dad?"
Anyway what brought me to post here was the message thread on the
NATURAL RIDE pad setup. I had one of those things about 6 years ago and used
it quite abit on my quarter horse. In general the design was quite
versatile. I loved many things about it but it had a few flaws and I gave it
up in favor of a nice soft deep seated english saddle. The way I see it if
you want stirrups get a saddle.
I felt the flaws were,
1. The nylon block that archs over the withers was a bit thick and bulky
where your stirrup rigging hooks in and can be uncomfortable under your leg
at times.
2. The cinch rigging is just a 2" or so wide rough nylon band that wraps
around your horse. I would never allow that cheap rough nylon stuff against
the side of my horse.
3. The cinch clasp is nothing more than a stamped metal alligator tooth type
keeper. I very nearly got scrubbed out once on a trail when a herd of cows
came running up to us from out of the evening sun. My trusty quarter horse
luckily didn't bolt but just blew his belly up like an air bag and jumped
about 6 feet sideways until he figured out what all the noise was. This left
me riding the side of my horse as when he blew up the cinch clasp just
zipped right back out nice and loose. I went right home and changed the
whole cinch rigging to accept a standard cinch.
4. The riding position is interesting and takes a little getting used to. It
puts you further back than a bareback pad, just about where you would be
with a saddle. I liked it but I always kinda felt that it was not great for
the horse if you intend to use it alot or if you are a larger rider. It sort
of takes you out of the center of your horse and leaves you sitting on a
flatter part of their back.
Anyhow there it is for what it's worth. By the way if your interested
in a bareback pad I'd go with the "Parelli" hands down. I think I'd use a
thin blanket or pad underneath it though as the stitching on the bottom of
the Parelli's has a weird pattern to it and could scruff your horses coat
the wrong way. They are expensive but they are very well put together and
the cinch rigging accepts a standard western cinch. Whats real cool is the
D-rings for the cinch rigging have been attatched about 3 inches further
back than most bareback pads. This allows the pad to sit where it should and
not slide back all the time. A real nice product for a change. I did see
some Parelli wanna be pads in e-bay last month. I did a search in the
equestrian catagory for Parelli and there were 5 or 6 of the clone type pads
in there for about $50 or $60 bucks less.
Well thats about it, Happy New Year everyone, Cliff.
> Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 19:56:35 -0600
> From: "Marlene" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: What do you think of this
>
> This message is from: "Marlene" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Freedom Rider - Bareback PadsWhat do you all think about the below to
start
> a fjord?
>
> Do any of you have any experience with this type arch over the withers?
Do
> you think it will put too much pressure on the withers and shoulder area?
>
> Thanks,
> Marlene Coffman
> TTEAM Practitioner
> NARHA Certified Therapeutic Instructor
>
> - ------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
> Natural Ride Pad
> Stays in place like a saddle, rides like a bareback pad. Hand hold/withers
> arch is made of ralide and fits a wide variety of horses. Soft black
saxony
> (carpet-like) pad or suede pad. 8 lbs. Black, brown or blue with plain
> English 4-3/4" stirrups or ralide western stirrups. (English or western
> safety stirrups sold separately.)
>
> 01-0137 Western Saxony Natural Ride Pad $149.99
> Quantity:
> Select a color: BrownBlackBlue
