Ridecamp: [RC] white hairs -- YIKES!!!

vicki wheeler cdwheeler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
sorry to post as a guest, but after changing my e-mail address, I can't post at the momemt.  Please be
patient & read carefully ... this is a confusing post.

Ok, I know the white hairs indicate the saddle doesn't fit -- but how long between the damage to the 
cells & the white hair showing up? I have completely changed saddles since November -- had on OF (now
sold), bought a Kieffer dressage saddle, have now added a Wintec Dressage Pro with changeable 
gullets & CAIR panels.  

Here's the timeline: used the OF for all work until Thanksgiving; bought the Kieffer -- used it for 
dressage lessons & arena work, rode in the OF for trail rides until about January; rode in the Kieffer 
both arena & trails until I bought the Wintec in April. Now do arena work with the Kieffer, Wintec for 
conditioning.  Dressage instructor inspected the Kieffer while I had it on trial & said it did fit. It's hard to 
use dry spots as an indicator because this horse has to be worked VERY HARD before you get sweat 
anywhere except under the flap where leg contact was made -- very few lessons/arena work 
generate that level of sweat (under saddle less than year, going slow -- 5yo Arabian). On conditioning 
rides with the Wintec, we have even sweat patterns.

The white hairs themselves are a mystery. First showed up June 8 (were not there on June 4) only on 
the left at the withers & under the seat bone. June 15: white hairs now at the right wither. Dressage 
instructor is suspicious of the OF because when I started taking lessons I did twist & put more weight 
on my left. The horse is more *girthy* with the Kieffer than the Wintec. He moves out better/stretches 
more with the Wintec, which I was attributing to the CAIR panels.

Is it possible that the OF did the damage & the white hairs are just now showing up? Kieffer? Would 
white hairs show up this soon with the Wintec? My current strategy is to ride in the Wintec until I can 
afford to have a saddle fitter look at the Kieffer & restuff/adjust if necessary. Comments?  

All advice/insight is appreciated. I've already had one recommendation to start from ground zero 
(working with a saddle fitter -- new saddle/adjust Kieffer).  As y'all know, a 5 yo (being conditioned & in 
dressage training) is going to change shapes.  I've seen a big difference since last summer in the 
topline & shoulders.  I was really hoping the Wintec would get me through this shape-shifting stage.  I 
can't afford a ReactorPanel, so please don't suggest that.

Is there any way to identify which saddle is the culprit?

TIA
Vicki




=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=