Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Hi Sylvia and all.....appreciate the RP comments....and all

 

Sylvia, I have been saying for years that the standard SS stirrup position is too far forward....even in

the standard endurance model.  Both my endurance and training models have the stirrups set very far

back-just about as far as the company can do it. I always look at photos of me on my horses to check

heel position.

 

Interesting yesterday in what I have having to do to make my endurance model work on my mare....First it

fit in the front under the SIDES of the pommel with lots of room for the shoulder to rotate back and under the

front of the saddle.....but it was sitting on top of the withers.  I just cannot see that. So, since I did like the

saddle otherwise...I had the front part slit back under the pommel, like an English cutback.  This fixed THAT

problem, except now the saddle settled down to where it should have been and was slightly too tight through

the shoulders.  I had it on the mare yesterday,no pad, cinched up with my daughter in the saddle.  Then the

cutback part was on top of the withers where  the slit came together.....aaarrrrgg.......  Next try was the skito

pad with top shim and very thick on either side of the spine (to create a sort of channel or gullet).  Rode in that.

Good news is I could slip hand under pommel way back and feel no contact at all with top of withers......at

sides under base of pommel a bit snugger than I would like, but sort of okay.......this all should make sense to

Sport saddle owners.

 

BTW, I have been checking every sport saddle my friends have for wither clearence and fit at base of pommel. I

am finding some that seem just fine for both, have found one sititng right on top of withers.and one way too tight

in pommel

 

But 2 hour ride in saddle in that particular pad......I was sore, saddle felt way too wide (no twist), keep in mind

I have been riding these for over 10 years no problems......

 

So, saddle sort of works...but I am thinking of it more as now back-up saddle, hence search for something better....

Karen

----- Original Message -----

From: Dbeverly4@xxxxxxx

To: greymare56@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2004 9:09 PM

Subject: Re: [RC] questions on Reactor Panel

In a message dated 12/19/2004 7:46:04 PM Pacific Standard Time, greymare56@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

Would appreciate any comments on which model people are using and why........as young

mare not doing well with Sport Saddle and I may be saddle shopping!

I have owned two Reactor Panel saddles and love them both.   I think the main thing I see with Sports Saddles is the basic "couch position" that riders are forced into with them.  Obviously NOT good  for either part of the equation (horse or human).  I recently looked at a bunch of pictures that Lynne Glazer took at the Turkey Tror ride and could spot a Sports Saddle a mile away....."OUCH!"  That is not a good position to ride a horse in for a mile let alone 50.

 

Sylvia (JMO)