Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Regarding the ongoing conversation on Torsions, I have some thoughts on the unstability of the saddle.....

 

Some posters mention you can't mount from the ground without the saddle slipping, that a mounting block

helps, etc.  This concerns me for several reasons.....one, what the heck do you do if you get on and off your

horse on a regular basis (like get off and jog, etc). What do you then do if there is no handy rock....tree stump

or ditch to park the horse in?

 

If the saddle slips when you get on; then why won't the saddle slip if the horse does a huge buck or spook?

This stuff does happen on the trail...and having the saddle stay positioned on the horse (and not slip sideways)

can prevent a serious wreck.

 

Also....I realy don't like having to cinch a saddle tight to have it stay in place.  I cringe at all these "belly buster" type

devices, that help people crank up that cinch tight.   How uncomfortable for the horse!  Also seems like cinching

really tight can jam the tree down into the back; cause girth galls, etc.

 

This is one of reasons I was so horrified to think my neoprene cinches were galling my horses; thank goodness

just seemed to be that seasonal scurfiness caused by the fall coat change....all gone away now....because I also

think the neoprene itself has some grippiness....

 

I have had very good luck with the sport saddle and neoprene cinches.  Can cinch snugly....then horse walks

out some and cinch becomes even a bit looser.....those saddles do have a rigid pommel and cantle, maybe that helps

keep it positioned on the back.  I can mount from the ground,either side

 

There are always warnings about not riding in bareback pads with stirrups, since they are so unstable, and an unseating

by the rider can throw the whole thing sideways....you can't mount the horse without them slipping, etc.....