Saddle Fit "Agony/Hope"

["Ruth Abair" <rabair@dproti.dcrt.dla.mil>]

     Dear Ridecampers,
     
     I literally am overwhelmed with the responses I have received thus far 
     in regards to my saddle fit problem(s). I am in the process of 
     corresponding with several of you, but wish to go ahead and thank "all" 
     of you for your input. There "is" hope after all! 
     
     A "follow on" to this; I would like to put another question to the 
     group. Between now and the time I decide on which saddle to purchase 
     (darn it!) - not to mention the waiting period - have any of you used 
     breeching with your western saddles and if so, how did it work out (ie: 
     interference with stride, rubbing, nylon vs leather, etc.)? 
     
     I have already tried using a nice & clean leather crupper with bad 
     results (ie: new to him and/or because it exerted a tremendous amount 
     of pressure on his tail in downward motion/hills) so I put it aside. 
     
     Bottom line; I want to do my best to avoid having to rush into 
     purchasing a saddle before I have had time to weigh all the pros and 
     cons (takes a bit of science these days seems like) "and" I don't want 
     to lose any ride time (staying on the flats right now/no big hills). 
     Did somebody say something about "pipe dream?" Anyhow, whatever input 
     you may have (good or bad) is greatly appreciated.
     
     Ruth Abair
     rabair@dproti.dcrt.dla.mil