ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] "Choosing a Saddle for Endurance & Long Distance Riding
[endurance] "Choosing a Saddle for Endurance & Long Distance Riding
Lucia Humphrey (laneyh@ix.netcom.com)
Wed, 13 Mar 1996 11:04:55 -0800
Dear Endurance Friends -
It's been a long time since I've posted anything here because I've
been busy writing a book about saddles! It was published just in time
time for the AERC convention at the beginning of the month. I was the
one who gave the "saddle fitting clinic" talk on Friday morning which
covered about half of what I say in the book. About 100 people bought
the book and the feedback I got was that what I say makes sense.
From the recent various saddle threads here, lots of people are
frustrated and confused about the difficulties in finding a saddle that
works. Over a year ago I started thinking about this problem and
decided first to look at saddles from the horse's point of view, in
other words, from the bottom up because my interest is in a happy,
sound horse. Having done a lot of reading and thinking I realized that
there are only 3 types of saddle bottoms (plus one variation) and each
has its virtues and vices. The book includes a list of endurance
saddles according to their type of bottom. Then I started thinking
about what else a saddle should do besides fit the horse well. I
realized early on that each horse/rider duo is unique and in order for
a saddle to work it has to work for both parts of the team. I then
developed a set of questions aimed at describing the needs of the
horse/rider team the saddle is intended for. The book that is the
final product is intended as a guided walk through the saddle buying
process. I've done a lot of the background research for you and the
set of questions helps you analyze yourself, your horse, your riding
style, and budget in order to come up with a list of features you need
to look for in a saddle.
Several people at the convention who bought the book on Friday told
me on Saturday that they had read the book Friday night and completely
changed what they thought they needed in a saddle, partly because of
what I say about how a saddle should fit the rider. As I said above, I
am not affiliated with any saddle maker or seller; the only thing I'm
promoting is happy horses (& happy riders). This book was a labor of
love!
If you'd like a copy, it is available from Filaree Press, PO Box
1361, Carmel Valley CA 93924 USA prepaid by check or money order for
$7.95 (CA residents add 53 cents tax) plus $1.25 postage & handling for
North America, $2.25 for Europe and $2.75 for Australia.
Happy trails!
Laney