RE: [RC] Prineville, Injured riders and horses - Jim Holland
Hmmm…why would you not just teach your horse to deal with “stuff”,
including a saddle, under his belly? Just take the stirrups off an old
saddle, but leave the leathers on so they will flap. I would rather have him “freak
out” and get over it a controlled situation such as round pen or small
paddock than during a ride. Ropes around legs, plastic bags of trash (go
pick up trash on a trail somewhere and let him carry it), aluminum cans in a
trash bag. You would be surprised what a horse will learn to tolerate if
you take the time to “acclimate” him to it. <grin>
Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic (If we just stop and stand
still, “Da Boss” will fix it!)
From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of rdcarrie@xxxxxxx Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 3:27 PM To: kskf@xxxxxxxxxxxxx;
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] Prineville,
Injured riders and horses
I agree with Kristen...let's not have a knee-jerk reaction
and start mandating equipment. One cannot legislate common
sense. I happen to agree that a breast collar is a good idea in the
case of emergencies. I always use one, but it's adjusted so loose that it
doesn't "hold" the saddle in place even when I do a hilly ride in NM
or central Texas - doesn't need to, as I've never (so far - knocking on
wood) had a saddle move much. And please, don't ANYONE start the tired
thread about back conformation, choosing horses that don't need a breast
collar, yadda, yadda. I use one in the event I come off (not an uncommon
occurrence LOL), and my horse should run off, or my weight pull the saddle over
as I come off. I don't want my saddle to end up under my horse's
belly...which can happen with ANY back conformation, given the right
(wrong) set of circomstances. I typically ride with a very loose girth
(plenty of daylight showing between the girth and my horses'
bellies).&n bsp; I'll tighten it more at hilly rides, but still don't
over-snug it. I prefer to be allowed to make my own decisions about what
tack to use. But I agree with Kristen...riders need to think about what
could happen should they come off and their horse start bucking and running
off.
Dawn in East Texas (no hills here, but I don't always ride
in the E. Texas piney woods)
