Re[2]: SS slipping
Bonnie Snodgrass (snodgrab@ncr.disa.mil)
Thu, 07 Nov 96 19:15:38 EST
I wasn't the person who started this thread but I did make a comment
that my Sports Saddle slips unless girthed pretty tight. Since I
bought my saddle from Horse Works I felt I should reply to Genie's
questions. The saddle rolls to the side when mounting or if a sudden
spook or stirrup loss causes me to put extra weight in one stirrup. If
I girth up good and snug I can mount and correct the moderate roll
that happens. I use a Toklat woolback pad that I bought from Horse
Works or another makers woolback type. No difference between the two
pads. I'd like to know if there is a non-fleece bottom pad that I can
put directly against my horses back that is as wicking/cool as the
woolback pads. From my experience the fleece pads are more slippery
than a fabric backed pad but are such great pads for the horse!
I am currently using a mohair string cinch. The felt cinch that came
with the saddle was a) too short, b) definitely more slippery and c)
after a 10-12 mile ride my horse had a sweat scald under almost the
entire cinch. The day after the ride his skin peeled. I tried a
neoprene cinch that held the saddle the best but I was made a little
paranoid about my horses reaction from the felt cinch and decided not
to buy one. The string cinch hasn't bothered him yet.
No, I don't place the saddle too far forward or too far back. I
realize that most everyone "think" they know how to saddle a horse but
over the last 10 years or so as I got into dressage I learned that I
did place my old jumping saddle too far forward. I learned a lot from
good saddle fitters and my own horses. Finn tells me in no uncertain
terms if a saddle irritates him. The SS is the only one I've tried
that he's been comfortable in.
My horse's build wants to push any saddle forward but as he's getting
fit this has been improving plus I've found a couple things that help.
My riding certainly isn't perfect but I've 34 years horseback behind
me and still ride bareback at all gaits. I know when it's my fault
that a saddle is turning. All saddles I have put on my Arab roll
around. He's built like a witherless barrel. The SS that I rode in for
3 months, minus the fleece bottom did fit him somewhat better and
didn't slip sideways quite as easily as the new one I now own. Wish
they hadn't changed it.
I'm not blaming the SS for the slipping, I'd just like to remedy it.
I was told by another SS owner that they really like a neoprene cinch
that they bought from Horse Works that is fabric side out and has
elastic on it. Does this also cause the same heavy sweating as the
rubber side out cinches? Do you have any suggestions to offer about
pads, cinches, etc. that may help? My horse is thin skinned, thin
coated, and may be prone to rubs.
Bonnie Snodgrass
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: SS slipping
Author: ridecamp@endurance.net at smtp
Date: 11/7/96 12:29 PM
What direction is the saddle slipping?
What kind of pad are you using?
If the pad isn't the culprit in the Sports Saddle slipping, we need to
discuss how the horse is built and/or the rider's position.
I would use a breast collar and/or crupper only as a last resort.
Genie Stewart-Spears
Horse Works
Distributor for the Endurance Sports Saddle
(502) 443-1505 Mon-Fri 9-5 Central Time