Deanna, I purchased an Ortho Flex Stichdown last March and really love, but when I went to do my first ride last year (a 50) it really rubbed my horse pretty bad in the loin area. I called OF and they told me that the booties that were sold to me have been discontinued and Len sent me the new type (for free!!). They work great and no more rubbing marks. You might want to contact OF.
----- Original Message -----
From: guest@endurance.net
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 9:05 AM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: OrthoFlex questions and SS comments
Deanna German dgerman@earthlink.net
So, after getting blown away by the price of the Schlesse saddles, I lucked into a gently used OF endurance cutback that fits me like a glove and solves the probs I was having with my Sports Saddle. (BTW, the probs. I was having included legs not in the right place, not a balanced seat for me, extreme hip ache after less than 10 miles, mare had a "tired" looking back after a conditioning ride, loin rubbing, etc. etc. I had no pressure points or back soreness; as others have said, the SS just didn't work for me and my horse. I'm 5'8" and weigh 150 lbs and have narrow hips.)
The previous owner had probs with this particular model of saddle (a System 3 purchased orig. in 1997) "walking" on the loins and causing some soreness on 50's (I think that's what she told me....). She suggested using a pad between the horse and the booties. I tried the saddle over 16 miles on a hot, hot day with no pad beneath the booties and everything looked peachy-keen. No sore spots, nice even sweat pattern and a dry channel over the spine, horse very happy. My horse is not conformed like hers (my mare's back is longer) so maybe I won't have the loin soreness problem? (Opinions please...)
I tried using a fleece Aussie pad between the horse and the booties and lost the dry spine channel and it also seemed like I lost some of the benefits of the flexible panels. Also, there was too much bulk between my leg and my mare. I have numerous pads I can try (some people collect saddles; I seem to collect pads), but they're all some version of synthetic fleece. I have a gel pad too that I was using with my Sports Saddle.
So here are my questions: how important is that dry channel over the spine? Any of you put a pad between the booties and the horse? If so, why? What type of pad are you using? It would be nice if I could come up with something that would keep the booties clean, but not negate the benefits.
Shower me with opinions, please.
Deanna (Ohio)
PS - Glad to be back; I've been away for a while. I had no idea how much time it would take to do LSD and put a good base on my 5YO mare! Looks like we'll be good and ready for that 25 mile CTR July 1. Then a couple of more 25 milers. Next year, two-day 50s and 60s; the year after, my first endurance ride! That's the goal, anyway.
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