Good luck with your 50. If you
can do decent paced 25, without problem(s) - you should be able to do ' decent
paced' or slower 50. Do not get caught up with 'front runners' , and ride your
"own ride" - your pace, do procedures as you did for 25. But
since is 2x the distance -you may want to let horse take a few more walking
breaks, generally the trail will dictate that for you; ( at least it does
here in the east - can you say : rocks / climbs/ 'picking your
way' ); and use other gaits - to use different muscle groups, and try to
avoid fatigue, for both you and your horse.
About saddle, a 'coin toss', but since you
have done training 'type rides' with it, and horses' back
seems ok. fit is ok. I would switch to it - the Big Horn. If as others
said, ? you do not think your discomfort will cause you to
'compensate' way you ride; and it may.?? Toss
is - Would almost bet that after 50, if Abetta causing problem
with ? pressure, - causing white hairs, dry spots, may find, either have
soreness, or 'scald marks' after 50 miles / or lameness issue - if
not day of ride, then next day or two will show up - that is what I found
happened, and had no previous 'soreness', nothing
apparent, no dry spots, etc, - my horse was white to start with. But after
a good many miles using Abetta; he developed skin problems,
'scalded' and sore - showed up on multiday ride. Other side of
coin? if you have to 'compensate' for hip pain from
saddle - and end up riding - "funny, crooked" then
that may cause your horse a 'soreness', or 'lameness'.?
For you - as already said - check stirrup
length, your position mounted - have someone on ground look at you
mounted - make sure you are 'level', hip/ shoulder not dropping to one
side, measure stirrup straps/ fenders ( sometimes one is 1/2" or longer
than other and really can't tell by looking at it) otherwise, may just be
difference in tree/ twist of saddle - in which, you will probably get used
to, - in mean time, adjust stirrups, as needed, you may need one a little
shorter than other, and take Advil, etc. If really think 'hip pain'
will be issue for your riding, and if changing saddle does not affect your
weight class, then change saddles/ pads half way through ride..( Just
a suggestion, do not stop your 'moving around', except briefly, til
after the ride - I only say cause if I stopped moving before ride
over, horse taken care of,etc. - I sometimes get so 'creaky', I can
hardly move - (but I have 'back issues'). as long as I was 'moving'
I was ok That and mind over matter, - my horse is 'ok', my aches/ pains
don't matter). GL, StephanieM
