I just wanted to say how much I've learned from everyone on this list during
the past month. Today I found myself telling a dressage friend "saddle
facts" and "pad facts" from the endurance list. She was receptive--everyone
knows that if something is comfortable doing 50 or 100 miles it's going to
be comfortable, period, for horse and rider. She has a horse with an ouchy back.
Also, the saddle discussion enabled me to guide the trainer who was working
with our 5-year-old stallion to change saddles. Normally Majnun has a
beautiful long stride at the trot, a lot of impulsion and suspension. He was
bred to be a dressage horse (but has that tough *Kabara blood too). His trot
with the trainer looked short and choppy. The change of saddle made a
TREMENDOUS difference. I was wondering if it was the trainer, something
wrong with our stallion, sore feet, etc. etc. Obviously the first saddle was
too constricting.
Diane Nelson also very kindly helped me with a personal saddle question.
I plan to come to the OD to help out and observe, and hope to meet some of
you there.
Mostly I keep my mouth shut and just read what everyone else posts, but a
short gosh thanks seems in order.
Saw Gwen Dluehosh and husband Tony Liu at the Horse Festival at the Virginia
HOrse Center in Lexington with their stallion IAS Alydar, who was in good
form--and good shape--not overfat like a few halter-type horses there. BTW I
own a yearling filly by him out of my super hot mare. The filly was bred to
run, but turns out she's a definite halter horse with a park trot. How did
this happen??????????
Susan Felker
Black Ridge Arabians
Floyd, VA