[RC] Fw: saddle/ fitting/ abetta/ other elevator ?? - smuncy
Posted as response
to another inquiry.. about saddle fit / abettas - -- see below --- --
way below !!-- (.and I am so far behind !!? RC ).. but
have to ?? 'Plug' - "elevators" - 'new forma't -
even if I never do another ride - I *still
like my idea about 'elevators' 100's'....... as far as points
/placings - you only get points* with / against? /
those that finish ! ! * 100* ! - and entries
- riders have to enter 100*!!! at the start.!
They - all entries 100 = they are anticipating "doing the 100 !!" (?? with some rides;
I can see as 'more points' for
finishers... - at least get minimium enteries ! = maximum points !?
,- if that is riders desires., last I was aware you had to
have at least 10 riders in a 100, to get maximum points ??
! ? I may be wrong - pls . save flames, pls.
) .... , you are competing against trail, etc, and those that
leave last check / ok , maybe before, last check,? ..
those that you think 'can complete', - no
different than other 100's - you know your competetion ? /
!.....( ".everyone," 'entered in the 100' - what I posted
before, enters the 100 - starts the same time.) Sorry, I
do not see ' the point' you were making, all enteries are in 100 --- you
decide who your competetion is,?? your competetion - ? ! ?? ,
you ride your best ride, the race is at the end, or last 50 / 25 miles,
you can get that info from timer, or your crew can, - who is in, who is out, who
is marginal - how is it different ?? From other 100's - you
can have ppl / horses you do not know entered in them too?? same as any ride???
- just with "de -elevator" - as I described, - only get
mileage* credit; if fail to complete - at 50 miles _ nif horse fails
0, if after that horse to last vet chack passed, - if rider " fails?!"
to that vet check, or - to last vet check completed , depending
on circumstances.... those that complained about that, ??? well,
think ? - horse should at least should get credit for those
miles'' - jmho, and save "the flames". ( yes, I have had one
that had at least 10, 000 - if wanted to count "all" miles - that is not
what I am saying.. Training and otherwise.)... However, actual competetion
miles, --- -- think more riders would enter 100, with that or similaiar
format.... and do not see where it would "hurt" those running 'for points'.
/ bonus - and have more enteries.+ more points for those that are
'running for points". Ie, more enteries = more points ??
go figure - unless have things changed? and I have not checked in a couple
years, had to have at least 10 horses - maybe 11 entered 100 for max.
points at end??
about difficult to fit horse and Abetta saddles
Just an idea, but may try
finding 'dealer' in your area; that deals with Sharon Saare saddles./ or other
saddle makers ? ... that have 'molds' for saddle tree fit........? only
know of Sharon Saare, that offer such. ? quess still in business, and alot of
copies....available.
I had a horse too that had kinda short back,
'nice' whithers, and what would be called 'rafter spine'. - he did change
shape though after / over the years . But, Sharon Saare dealer has
different size trees that you can try on horse to get ' fit' . Ranging from very
narrow - A, to F - for the flat - backed, thick -
'plow' horse type shape.
Granted - these are not as
inexpensive, as you were looking for, but if you get one that fits, then have
for life, as long as you take care of it ; hopefully. OK, true -
trees can break, reguardless, but.... Let's say I still have saddle,(
recently 'lost' horse :( - back late summer
) one of my considerations, was finding a horse with same
bloodlines, and back that saddle would fit. :0 Not easy, but have
done. More finding "lines", than getting saddle to fit. But,
..
I have a Sharon Sarre that I have had for
about 8 ? or so years, maybe longer, - still good, only get fenders
replaced, once a year, or every couple years - depending how much competing I
was doing, and having it 'reflocked' - replace 'fuzzy stuff' under saddle
- once,? maybe twice.? - but I brush it out after every ride, helps it
'last''.. and kept it 'relatively' clean.
I used an Abetta before, ( and other
saddles, including BM SS ) not a bad saddle for the money, are short (
Abettas, not BM ) - good for short backs. , 'were' made decent - had mine
back in late 90's, alittle narrow in whithers and with right pad may work.
Evidently, my horse, must have changed shape, all of a sudden after about 500+
miles, training in and several long rides - 50's + to multi
days, it put pressure 'sores, rubs', on shoulders during a 3 day 100. He had
done fine several weeks before during one day 100,( but I changed saddles
half way through that ride, just because, it was one the things I did ).
The Abettas are relatively 'cheap' and think resale well, at close to what you
paid, if want to try it first. sorry, I missed your original post to
RC.
But sounded like like your horse had 'prominent'
whithers, rafter spine? With any saddle you get - remember to pull up on
pad, when tacking up, and also, hopefully, get a little channel off
spine, 'get pad to go into gullet space' of saddle; and to get
clearance off whithers*, so does not press down on them when mounted, -may want
to consider pad that has built in channel, to alleviate spine pressure, like
Equalizer pad, or cut back saddle pad with channel.
Just an idea, FYI - if your
horse has prominent "rafter" spine, I would stay away form treeless
saddles.JMO
Ok as far as The
" bonding": someone questioned - alot af horses will call to you, etc
... - I really had to think about that,,,, and would have
to say it was like what like I said ? wrote a couple of months
ago - ' That Special Horse' ...but to summize - from what
I wrote then ---
I felt as if
we were ?ONE?, when I rode you. I understand the ?Centaur?.
?The wind beneath my wings?. For riding you felt like a
physical bonding; I was part
of you - and you a part of me. No matter the speed or
terrain. We were like the
perfect dance partners, each knowing the others moves
and counter moves,
physical, mental or spiritual.
I will miss you more than words can describe..........
