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[RC] Reactor Panel Saddle Experience - Jim HollandJena, you really should try an RP and let Lynne fit it for you. I was somewhat taken aback by the shoulder thing when I got one for Magic. The panels were really different, and it looked odd to see them stick out over the shoulder. Initially, they actually "paddled" up and down a little as his scapula rotated. However, after all the money I had wasted on saddles that didn't fit my horses and/or didn't fit me, I had nothing to lose. I tried THREE different RP saddles, before I found one that felt right to me. RP patiently kept sending me saddles. I was impressed by that and the phone support, since I had to fit it myself. I didn't like the seat in the first trial saddle....raised my voice a couple of octaves after several hours. :) The second one had thigh blocks, and was too hard on my skinny legs going downhill. The last trial was the Avant Garde. I loved the saddle from the minute I sat in it. I really gave it a workout for three weeks here in the mountains. The first thing I noticed was that after a few days, Magic no longer "winced" when I put the saddle on his back...he just relaxed and dropped his head. The second thing I noticed was that the panels had "conformed" to his back shape. When I looked at the bottom of the saddle, the panels had changed shape to match his back exactly, and the fit across the shoulders was better. The panels formed a gentle curve from his scapula into his back behind the withers. There is no rigid tree edge to restrict the shoulder motion. Magic's shoulders are asymmetrical, but that became irrelevant with the RP, since I could adjust each side of the saddle independently, and not just the panel contact point, but the position of the contact point on the tree. The third thing I noticed was that the saddle flaps conformed to me....wrapping around under my legs and providing a very secure seat. The fourth and most important thing is that prior to purchasing the RP, Magic had completed ONE of his first 5 rides. He now has completed 7 in a row, two in the Top Ten. For one of those, I borrowed Jerry Fruth's "County" dressage saddle. I liked that saddle, but it had a pressure point on Magic's larger shoulder. With the RP, Magic will now canter easily on either lead, do flying lead changes, and his trot is much more free and relaxed. The fifth thing I noticed was that after the saddle conformed, I no longer needed a breast strap or crupper. I rode the OD 50 without either. I also love the fact that I don't have to worry about a separate saddle pad, since there isn't one...just "panel covers" that Velcro over the panels. I spent several days with Carmi Weininger during her recent tour of the Southeast and set up a few fittings with my friends in the area. I got to see a LOT of horses with saddle problems and learned a lot about fitting an RP, the options available, and how it works. She offered to pay me for my help, but I declined....I learned a lot. Actually, I probably should pay her for the "training", not only on saddles, but about a horse's "way of going" under saddle as well. Magic's response to weight changes and leg aids are much "lighter" with the RP, and the contact is closer. During one of our fittings on the tour, I mentioned that and Carmi said, "If your horse is experiencing pain from the saddle, your leg aids have to be stronger than that pain to get a response." Seeing the change in my guys with a comfortable saddle made a believer out of me. I ordered a second saddle for Sunny. Yes, the second saddle strained my budget. However, for me it's about the horse. I ask a lot of my guys. Their welfare comes first. I see people at Endurance rides with expensive trucks and trailers, but riding their horses in saddles that not only fit poorly, but leave visible back injuries. When asked, they usually say, "I can't afford a good saddle". If necessary, you could give up going to rides for a while in order to save the money for a good saddle. Whatever saddle you use, make sure it fits your horse, whatever the cost. There are tools and people out there who can help you do that. IMHO, it's a small price to pay for what your horse does for you. As Howard would probably say, "They will have to pry my RP saddle from my cold dead body". Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp- owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jena Williams Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 12:19 AM To: anyone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] Why by from the killers? Poly. I admit, I never measured and took a reactor panel on trial. I borrowed one, and the ride just didn't jump out to me as "this is it!". I didn't like the way it fit in the shoulder. I hated the orthoflex, I couldn't feel the horse at all! I had no leg contact until just about the knee. Another maker was a vendor at Malibu, can't remember what brand. They had a raw tree with the panels on it, and boy it showed how it would NOT work. Someday I would like to take Temba up to your place and let you fit one to him and give RP a dedicated try. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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