You wrote:
>Since getting the equalizer, I am having
problems with side to side slipping with the saddle.>
There have been no complaints of slippage with the equalizer pad. With the
Coolback and Cloud Nine pads - yes - until the slick finish is worn or washed
off the synthetic material.
> the
saddle kept slipping to the right for some unexplained reason!....Maybe it
was caused by the weight of the water bottles.>
Where were you carrying the water bottles? Yes, they must be balanced from
one side to the other. I've had several riders put water bottles behind the
cantle and that just didn't work. Because they are two-point riding and/or
posting, the back of the saddle is free and the water bottles cause the back
of the saddle to move with each stride of the horse. The horses were getting
loin rubs from this movement. Once the bottles were removed permenantly, the
rubbing stopped.
>I'm gonna play with different girths next I guess (he doesn't like the
neoprene, it rubs his elbow and he's getting "girthy")- maybe a breast
collar...>
One of the reasons your horse may be getting girthy is you are in a Circle Y
Sports Saddle. This is not an endurance saddle. It is what we call the
Schooling and Training Saddle. The cinch (and stirrups) are placed further
forward than the Endurance Sports Saddle, thus binding the horse behind
his/her elbow.
Neoprene girths do well for us in the winter, but the hot summer months bring
excessive heat to that area with the neoprene. What I prefer - year round -
is a girth with elastic on both sides. It makes sense that this would be
much more comfortable for the horse. For humans, it would be the difference
of wearing a tight pair of jeans compared to stretch pants. Major difference
in comfort!
Please feel free to email me personally as you attempt to work these problems
out. I'll be glad to help all I can.
Genie Stewart-Spears
Horse Works
Distributor for the Endurance Sports Saddle
(502) 443-1505 (9-5 Central Time, Mon-Fri) unless I'm out riding!