Shoot Chip... I did not answer your question... got carried way
talking about riding... duhhhh..
>>As for the Mpls Police Dept, I would assume most of their
work is done at a walk on level ground, which is not the same as 8 hours
of trotting and galloping over varied terrain.
Yes YOU are right, but some of the hardest miles on a horses back
is walking.
>>While the flex-tree systems may work for some horses, I was
not happy with the one I bought a couple years ago. It made my horse
sore over his loins after 50 miles, something I found was true for some
other people who have tried them (some, not all!). I have been
told ways I can possibly correct this problem, and have tried
them, but the bottom line is I would have to risk soring him
on another 50 mile ride before I knew if these corrections
worked.
You are right. Many time the panels were too long - no
shimming can help that - a saddle problem, Many times the bars of the tree are
too straight not allowing the panels to flex in the rear causing soreness - no
shimming can help that - a saddle problem again. Many panels were to
stiff.... - again saddle problem. YES you are right. But some times
riders have their saddles to far forward, not endurance riders for the most
part - they on a whole are the smarter riders... becasue they RIDE and
are taught how to test their horses conditions. But some times you get
horses that jig with their rear ends - some Arabs have loads of hock action and
boing. This does make the panel saddle more mobile in the rear and this
can cause sensitivity. What I find is if you can keep the rear of the
saddle down, sometimes rear shims, sometimes just a tacky tack pad can keep the
saddle from moving side to side, a natural wool pad, or rear rigging or a
crupper to stabilize the rear help or eliminates the problem. IF you ride
a trotting horse you have even a higher risk of this loin rubbing -
as an endurance rider, because you are posting. so there is air-time
for the saddle to lift up and down making a brush against the horses skin.
A lot of this brushing can cause a problem. Also the rider has to try to
stay centered on the saddle and not two-point the ride... but I have a quarter
horse and he moves like an Arab and holds his tail just like then, he even
thinks he is an arab, and I have to two-point him. he just moves like
that. I do get a work out, but he has a perfect back and the saddle
works. I have only done 2) 30 LD on him and both times come in 2nd.
We have to take the 15 min cool down due to his muscle mass... damn quarter
horses.... ha.
But back to your problem. I DO NOT recommend taking any panel
saddle out for a 50 not knowing what it will do... I would go out another
weekend and clip of 30, and then the next day another 30. But before you
do the second day, palpate him. See how he is. Then after
thesecond day, on the third day palpate again. If he
passes you should be good.
Also. if a horse is not pre-conditioned in an flexible panel
saddle, the horse will have more movement that he is accustom, - unless you are
riding treeless, and so some muscles will be working over time. So taking
a horse out that is not conditioned - you may uncover in your
palpation, tender gluteus, hamstrings and shoulders.
But as I say. IF your horse is doing great in the saddle he
is in and He is comfortable, and he can move and is not sore
AND if you are comfortable. DON"T change it. If it ain't
broke, don't fix it.
But if you ride multiple horses and train new stock, then you
know that there are many back changes and shapes so having one saddle
accommodate all these different backs is wonderful. And I have found that
the new system 7 panels fits my program perfectly.
:-)
~ Cathy Sheets Tauer "Helping one customer at a time" Add this link to
your favorites: www.american-flex.com If you want a
catalog of Proven Products for Horse and Rider" or to place an order call, fax
and / or email your address. 507-723-5937 or toll free 866-723-5937
