Ok, I need a hand from all you
freeform fans out there. I stopped into our resident tack store today to pick
up some thrush medication for Al’s feet (this wet/dry/wet/dry thing is
killing me!), and they had a used freeform saddle for sale.
I couldn’t resist myself, it’s
now in my tack room being tested on Alpine. But I’m not 100% sure
how this saddle is supposed to fit. I put it on Alpine today, and it
seems to fit him snugly. I rode him for three miles with a toklat
coolback pad under the saddle, and his normal breast collar.
Alpine wasn’t fussy, he didn’t
say “ouch” about the saddle being on. I mounted from a block,
but I’m impressed that the saddle didn’t slide at all mounting.
Alpine was spooky, but that’s not unusual, especially with today brisk
temperature. Alpine moved well, he was forward without being quick.
He was holding his speed without me having to play tug of war, which is
unusual. He kept his head a very natural position. His gait was
very smooth, and he was extending out in gait very well, even cantered a couple
of times. His lateral movement was much improved, and his canter seemed…more
together, and easier for him to do. He did put his head down a few times,
but I couldn’t figure out if he was going “ahhh! That feels
great!” or “much more of this and my back will be sore”.
Once I pulled the saddle, he was wet
under the cantle, and where my butt hit the saddle, also around the
panels. He was dry where my legs sit, not necessarily where the main
amount of my weight sits. His back wasn’t sore with me poking it,
no unusual heat or swelling or hair mussing.
I have the saddle until Monday, so I
can do some nice long rides this weekend and see how it works for Alpine.
But I’m not familiar with treeless saddles at all, so is the snug fit
normal? Is the sweat pattern normal, or is it something I should worry
about. Is the coolback pad ok to use, or should I be putting my skito
inserts under it.
Anyway, thank you very much for any freeform advice you can
offer…
