Best saddles: Frank Baines Long-Distance Rider and Berney Bros. A/P
Worst saddle: OrthoFlex endurance cutback
Best pad: Woolback (machine wash, warm, All Clear and Free liquid detergent,
triple rinse, air dry and break up clumps with a dog slicker brush)
Best girth: Nylon string
Worst girth: Leather
Best bridle: Soft nylon halter-bridle with bit hangers
Worst bridle: Biothane bridle with clip-in bit (Biothane too stiff!!)
Best breastcollar: OrthoFlex neoprene
Worst breastcollar: Biothane (too difficult to adjust)
Best bit: French snaffle (Boucher)
Worst bit: Kimberwicke
Best stirrups: Flex Ride (thank you Dorothy Foster and hubby)
Worst stirrups: English
Best feed: Ryegrass hay from San Joaquin Valley Hay Growers Assn and Omolene
200
Worst feed: Coarse oat hay
Best bale bag: Two heavy duty garbage bags
Worst bale bag: Half-bale bags--once twine is cut on a bale there's no way
you're going to stuff a half a bale in a half-bale bag.