<< Also, once you have your first one, you realize that
you wanted all of these other options, so you sell it
and get a better one. >>
Hah. That's the truth!
We're on our fifth SS (still have three).
* Bought me a new 14.5" endurance model
* Bought Patrick a used 15.5" schooling and training model
* Rode in Patrick's saddle (and loved it - nice and secure)
* Sold my 14.5" endurance model (wanted the S&T deeper seat)
* Bought me a new 15" schooling and training model <g>
* Bought a used 15.5" barrel racer as a "spare"
* Sold Patrick's 15.5" S&T to a friend (who loves it)
(it was on the small side for Patrick)
* Bought Patrick a new 15.5" endurance model
(the lower pommel/cantle make the seat larger)
(are you picking up a pattern here?)
Anyway, it just takes a while to figure out what you
like with all the different variations - pommel size,
cantle size, cheyenne roll, where to put the stirrups,
what size seat to get, how the rigging works, etc.
Mouse and I just finished our first two-day ride - and
our first NATRC ride - we went and did the Silver Spurs
ride just up the road and had a blast. Mouse thinks the
point of rides is for her to eat as much as she possibly
can, so she was more cheerful than I've ever seen her.
She did a whole 50+ miles over two-days and I am the
proudest Mum alive of how she dealt with the whole thing.
Yay, Mouse! (OK, so we didn't exactly ace the obstacle
part, but at least we got the idea... <grin>)
Unfortunately, after riding her on and off in my SS for
nearly five years, this weekend the saddle chose to rub
her loin bald. <sigh> She is the quintessential
aforementioned short-backed horse. :)
I'm thinking it just started to rub because:
(a) I've been riding more miles than ever before with her
(b) I started to double-rig the saddle (using a long latigo
from the back cinch ring to the cinch and up to the
front cinch ring... think this might have been a bit
*too* snug fitting for her.
(c) She's coming to the end of her summer coat (OK, it was
just a theory...)
Apart from Kathy Kelly (who said that using center fire
rigging *cured* her loin rubbing problem... <oh great>),
does anyone else have any ideas on prevention?
I'm going to start by ditching the center-fire rigging
and going back to just using the front cinch ring (since
I ride with a crupper, this shouldn't make too much
difference).
And my other idea is to have at it on the inserts. I ride in
either a Skito or a Woolbak, with standard inserts and
shoulder shims (she is high-withered, and this helps clear
them). I'm thinking I just have to shave the back of the
inserts to make them thin (or cut them off short). The
place that has rubbed is a few inches behind the cantle,
so isn't a weight-bearing area.
Any other thoughts?
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Lucy Chaplin Trumbull
elsie AT foothill DOT net
Repotted english person in Sierra Foothills, California
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