Re: natural ride pads

["Cheryl" <mskit@utec.net>]

Hi Corrine -

 

I've posted to a couple Natural Ride owners. The idea of the Natural Ride is great, but in reality (and this only my opinion, although a few people feel the same way). The Ride is uncomfortable and not very secure the way it is when you get it. Think of it this way - If it were a western saddle, it would be a full-double rigging with the stirrups hung directly under the horn! You cannot get your feet under you and the resin fork tends to rub your legs. I knew when I bought mine that I would be taking it apart and modifying it into a type of hybrid pad/saddle; what I really needed was the fork, so I could use stirrups safely and mount from the ground. I relegated the stirrups, cinch and cinch "latigos" that came with the "Ride" to the "recycle" trunk, and bought new ones.

 

If you're handy with stitching, you can do this yourself and basically customize as to type of pad, etc.  I even bought a full sheepskin for it (not a saddlecover), and attatched a small set of saddlebags to it. I really love my "Modified Ride", it is  secure and lusciously comfy, and although I haven't weighed it, I don't believe it is over fifteen pounds, complete. I put in tie rings for my slicker and gear, etc. Used 1/8' mountaineering rope instead of leather latigo strings, and a crupper ring. I built it over an old felt/neoprene western pad which I split almost completely down the middle (two halves) and then skived out part way for a spine channel and then reattatched, sewing a few strips of nylon webbing down the middle (so each side of the pad moves with the horse), and made a cutout for the withers. It is just like the $110 pads my tack store sells, I paid $25 for it. I have a second one partially completed, building on a Woolback pad which has "Tacky-tack" type inserts (I bought one on sale and promptly cut it up!). It was less expensive than Ultracell.

 

Anyway, what I have now is a very comfy rig with a real cinch (got rid of the sawtooth rigging) and

removeable stirrups. I have used this on all-day rides in varied terrain, and it is a nice alternate with a saddle.

 

Hope this helps -

 

Cheryl in WNY

Horse kids Kit, Bobby & Dani

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: WhiteOakArabs@cs.com <WhiteOakArabs@cs.com>
To: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Thursday, March 29, 2001 3:00 PM
Subject: RC: natural ride pads

> Hi all!  this is my first post...I've been lurking for 
>     a while now.  Had a 
> saddle question (imagine that on an endurance 
>     forum!!) 
>
> I ride purebred Arabians w/ all the saddling issues that 
>     come with...and I'm 
> cleaning out the ol' tack room.  I'm planning 
>     to buy something for CTR and 
> I'm really looking towards a Natural Ride 
>     barback pad (I ride my mare now 
> with a Tokolat AP pad held down with a 
>     neoprene surcingle after she decided 
> the AP Collegiate was not fitting 
>     her correctly anymore--ok, don't laugh...I 
> can hear you all the way over 
>     here ;)  I look funny, but she's happy and that 
> wool is very sticky 
>     and secure! 
>
> Any thoughts on the Natural Ride?  I've seen it 
>     mentioned on here a couple of 
> times...email me direct, or post it to RC. 
>      Thanks! 
>
>
>
> Cya!! 
>     
> Corrine