Let's see, when I started this sport, I used a
barrel saddle and tons of padding. Pretty amusing to watch me ride I am
sure. I remember the silver bridle because it looked good, I remember the
jeans that rubbed my legs!
Then I graduated to biothane, thanks Teddy, an OF
saddle (actually 4), some form of tights from Walmart to regular riding tights,
neoprene girths, wide stirrups. cool backs or wool backs, a motor home, nice
trailer.
Now I am back in a cheapo western trail saddle (hey
it works, no back or girth sores), nylon fleece girths, still wild biothane
bridles, still my cool backs (they work so well), still the wide stirrups.
The motor home is going on 16 yrs but it is PAID for, and the trailer is almost
8 yrs but it is PAID for! Why did I change saddles? I couldn't lift
it easily anymore. I have been a diehard OF user for almost 20 years, but
as I got older, my riding style seemed to change. I was causing girth
sores which I never did before, and for whatever reason, my legs were swinging
more. The cheap fabric saddle fits all my horses, for whatever reason, my
body doesn't hurt so much, and there are no more girth sores.
The cost of taking good care of my horses will
always be there whether I go to rides or not. Horses are my hobby and I
will take good care of them. Peanut butter and jelly tastes pretty good if
the horse needs something. I live in jeans and T-shirts, could care less
about dresses, I don't care for fancy restaurants, I can watch movies at home
far cheaper than going to a movie. I have to admit, I finally went to my
first movie after living in MI for 11 years. I went to the matinee and saw
Hildago! It was worth every bit of the 5 bucks that I had to pay.
Plain old entertainment was what I wanted and what I got.
I get cheap tickets to visit my kids, I will spend
money on ice cream cones, it is such a treat. My other expensive hobby is
downhill skiing. But I have to do something in the winter so I won't go
crazy. Now I get the senior pass to the little ski area close by, I am not
ashamed to yank out the Aarp card, I am not bothered by bargaining for a better
deal! Where there is a will, there is a way.
Jeanie
