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Re: [RC] Saddles that move forward/backward - Truman PrevattI remember helping Francis crew for Lawton (Johnston) one year (many years ago) late in the 100 at the Biltmore. At the last check Lawton's horse had a gall and it was clear that going on would make it worse. Lawton wanted to go on to Tevis that year. He asked the vet if he could go on if he didn't use a girth. The vet (Dwight Hooton) looks sort of perplexed and said sure.Lawton found someone with a crupper and put a breast collar on the front and the crupper on the back and no girth. We hoisted him up and he did the last 11 miles (mostly walking) without a girth. Actually I think if the truth be known Lawton got off and walked most of the last loop leading his horse since he came in leading it. That is not an urban legend - it happened. So yes in very rare circumstances such tack is useful. If it works for you - that's cool. No problem, be cool, chill and have a nice day. However, I check all my tack before I climb aboard at every check. In fact I probably go through as many checks as a fighter pilot before he fires up his engines. I got used to the routine when it was important. If I run into a billet breaking or a girth buckle breaking or a girth breaking it's pretty much equivalent to the engine falling off my plane - my time on this earth is probably up. But I must say it's been a great ride ;-) . On the other hand if the saddle won't stay in place - which was my original point prior to all the extraneous comments - without such devices that force it to stay in place (independent of where it wants to go) such as a crupper and breast collar, you may have a problem with your saddle. However, it's not my saddle and it's not my horse and it is not my problem. ** Cheers, Truman Jonni wrote: Add me to the list of always use a properly adjusted crupper and breastcollar. Every horse, every saddle, even here in flat North Texas. Just that little extra security. A friend was riding down a very steep, short hill during a NATRC ride, and her girth broke. She had a crupper on, which probably saved her from one ugly wreck. But, as Joe says, use what you feel is the right equipment for you and your horse, saddle, and riding conditions. -- “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.” Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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