Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Just wanted to add my two cents to Michellle's Freeform idea.   I have  
yet to find a horse that doesn't enjoy my Freeform--or a rider for  
that matter.  My friends all steal it when we ride together!

The issues I had initially with the saddle were solved by getting a  
Skito Dryback that is built for the Freeform.  It has a super high  
peak over the withers that forces the saddle to keep it's shape  
there.  Our only problem until then had been my worry that the saddle  
and pad it came with seemed too tight over the wither.  My horses  
never complained, but I didn't like how tight it pressed there when  
I'd try to shove a finger between the saddle and their backs.  That  
worry is all gone now though.

The only other thing I've discovered about my Freeform is that my  
horses are sensitive about where it is placed.  The long-backed pony  
doesn't care as much, but Indy, my taller, thinner mare, wants it  
about two inches forward of where I've learned to place most saddles  
on a horse's back.  This may be an anomaly of her build, but, boy, she  
sure lets me know if it's too far back!  She kept ducking her head  
during our Sunriver 100 mile attempt, and I finally thought to ask the  
buddy I was with where the cinch was.  She said, "it's finally back  
where it ought to be, out of her armpit."  I said, "Ooooh, that's the  
problem."  Hopped off, repositioned the saddle so the cinch is IN her  
armpit, then hopped back on--no problem after that--oh, except we went  
on to ride the wrong loop.  Oops.

Mary K.

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