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Re: [RC] Little girl needs a sport saddle - AprilOk, so I'm behind on reading RC. I've actually been preparing for a ride this weekend. Leaving tomorrow and I think I'm mostly ready! :-) I did ride bareback eons ago. Well, in competition eons ago. In real life, not too long ago. I can't believe anybody remembers that. Ok, well, I was a vocal idiot back then. Now I just try to be a semi-silent idiot. ;-) I now have a horse that I ride bareback and one that I can not (will not). But you won't see me riding bareback in any rides anytime soon because my bareback horse, Serts, hates distance riding, so after I got him nice and conditioned for 25 mile rides, I realized we weren't having any fun and let him quit. Tanna, on the other hand, I use a saddle. He's touchy, spooky (although with one training friend he's always on his best behavior, so she thinks I make things up), and seems narrow to me, but the same friend says he needs a wide saddle. Not sure how that works. :-) On to pads. I went and looked that pad up. Very cool! I've not seen one like that in that price range. Interesting. Might have to order one to play with. Howsomeever, I must agree with Sindy that bareback pads and stirrups do not mix. For one, thing, they are usually set way too far forward. For another (the most important) thing, there is nothing to keep the pad from rolling unless you girth up WAY too tight (even then, doubtful) or you are so balanced that you always keep the exact same weight in the stirrups. If so, you don't need the stirrups anyway. :-) Awesome that it takes a regular girth. I have used a regular bareback pad before and always rigged it to use a western girth. Much better, in my opinion. I have a quick tip for those that want to ride in competition bareback. Do NOT wear JEANS. At least not without something like panty-hose underneath. Ouch. Shudder. The voice of experience here. :-| I was SO disappointed to quit training my bareback horse. I really wanted to ride bareback in competition again. Maybe my next horse will be a bareback horse. One can always hope. But I really do love Tanna. Really. ;-) April (Off to Hoosier Daddy tomorrow. Whoo-hooo!) Nashville, TN On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 17:19:24 -0400, Maggie Mieske wrote: Kristi, I saw these bareback saddles in Country Supply that might do the trick for such a little girl. They look really interesting and I wouldn't mind having one for myself. They look well padded and sturdier than some of those that you see. I don't know as I don't have one yet! But they sell for under $50. They have a fleece lining and use a standard western cinch (not included, of course), adjustable stirrups, too. Has a D ring for a crupper even. You might be able to see it at www.countrysupply.com or at least order a catalog. It might be an affordable alternative until a saddle can be had and a little safer than bareback. The deluxe model ($69.95) even comes with rings for breastplates, etc. and has removeable saddle bags. I remember thinking about April (it was April that rode bareback, wasn't it?) when I saw this. :) Right up her alley! ===========================================================In my experience (22 year worth) most endurance riders are great people who will go out their way to help and be friendly. ~ Laura Hayes ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ===========================================================
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