RE: saddle sliping

["Kathy Mayeda" <kathy_mayeda@atce.com>]

Maybe it's something physical that is causing this behavior!
I just did some bodywork on a little mustang/QH cross last week
that was going back to the trainer for some sudden behaviour
problems.  I just barely laid my hands over behind his withers
and he went ballistic...  No amount of "training" can overcome
pain and fear without making the horse a basket case.

We put the saddle on and the saddle was plain too tight, even
without the saddle blanket.  The trainer came to pick up the
horse and is going to have an equine chiropractor take a look
at him, too, after the owner told her about my findings.  The
trainer had been concerned about saddle fit before, but having
a 4 year old horse can be a "moving target" when it comes to saddle
fit.

It may not just be the girth.  Mutton withered horses can
be tough to saddle fit, and it is common to have to cinch
them up too tight to make the saddle secure, thus adding
to any problems you may have with saddle fit.  I bet if you
try a better fitting saddle, all the mounting behaviour problems
will eventually go away


K.




-----Original Message-----
From: Rosie VanGilder [mailto:rvangild@jeffco.k12.co.us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2000 5:21 AM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: saddle sliping


Hi, I brought home a mustang last week  and am having some problem
getting the saddle tight
enough to not slide.  I think the girth is pinching, it is a western
style string with a wide web area in
the middle.  How does one measure for the proper fit?  When he came to
us he does not hold still
for mounting and wants to run if you sit down too fast.  We have had
better luck mounting him from
the off side and slowly sitting down.  He also does not like it when you
dismount and will run off.
He is good to ride, has a soft mouth and listens to your legs.  I would
like to get up on him and since
mounting/dismounting are not safe times for running around I am looking
at all different areas to make
his life comfortable.
He is not round but has a lot of flesh, Mutton withered, kind of narrow
backed.  I am not able
to do the horse breaker mount so we have been tying him up and mounting,
then releasing the
lead line and off you ride.  I am thinking of just tying him up and
mounting, mounting, mounting.
I will not always be able to tie him up and I sure don't want him
running like he can with me with
one foot in the stirrup.  He is 5/6 yrs old.  Had about 3 months of
training and is really good on the
ground until you start messing around with the girth, then he gets a
little antsy.  He was not taught
how to Whoa when you are working.  He does stand still untied for the
saddle and blanket and
bridle, grooming etc.  Does he need days and days of
mounting/dismounting?  He is too tall for a
older over weight, big butt to get on fast.  I can use a stump since I
generally put the tall ones in a
hole when ever. Help!!!!!  he is wonderful.  ro