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Post by ghostrider on Jan 28, 2014 0:24:20 GMT -5
Yeah I think Shetlands are cute but most that I know have been pretty ornery, Sally was no exception. I was attacked and stomped repeatedly after falling backwards by Sally's colt his name was Sham. It was scary, especially for my parents who happened to look out the window to see what all the screaming was about. LOL
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Post by Kirk Martin on Jan 28, 2014 14:30:37 GMT -5
Congrats Cyndi, It's a big step taking that leap! The beauty of English saddles is that you don't have to dismount to adjust your stirrups. Too short- No problem! Just pull the buckle downward in one hand; unbuckle it holding on to the end then gently put more pressure on the stirrup iron. When it's where you like it, buckle it up then return the buckle back under the flap so it doesn't scrape your saddle. Pretty easy once you've done it a couple of times. I rode today!! ALL BY MYSELF!!! I am not the bravest, and I have never ridden "unattended" with an English saddle (they are a bit foreign to me at this point), but today I tried out that borrowed saddle and I rode Fanny for almost 30 minutes (I got on a off a couple of times, so it may have well been 30 minutes)!!! I did some groundwork first to see how she'd be in the arena, because there were wind gusts that may or may not have caused her some angst - as an aside, D says her horse is always spooky in the arena because they can see things between the boards. She seemed okay, and I did a lot of leading, turning and backing exercises. Then came the moment of truth...to mount! First time I got on, I had the stirrups set too short, and she walked off before I even had my foot in the other stirrup Oh well, it was a good time to tuck in the one rein and let her walk in circles for a bit until she stopped. Worked a bit on halting and so on. Got off and lengthened the stirrups. Second attempt, she didn't walk off before I got my foot in the other stirrup! Dang it, they were still too short! I think I finally got it right on the third try. lol I found it harder to estimate the stirrup length with these stirrups than I do with Western.
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Post by ghostrider on Jan 28, 2014 17:37:22 GMT -5
Kwmartin you can adjust your stirrups without dismounting in a western saddle as well. I've done it more than once. You do have to slide as far back in the seat as possible and pull the fender up to you, unbuckle the strap around the bottom and adjust. It's really not difficult if your horse can stand still. I have NO idea about english, some day I may get to try out an english saddle if I find someone who rides with one. Love the looks.
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Post by cyndi on Jan 28, 2014 18:31:32 GMT -5
You two make it sound so easy!! Lol! I would probably try it if I had a steady-eddy horse Fanny will get there yet, but the way she was always so nervous in that arena, I wasn't about to start shifting around on her back. I did really like the saddle, though.
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Post by Kirk Martin on Jan 29, 2014 8:12:48 GMT -5
I've adjusted Western stirrups while staying mounted but the one I was on had two smallish pins that had to fit into two separate holes. Didn't have the easiest time inserting the round peg into small round hole. The English saddle is more like a belt. Just slide the belt down, pull up on the leathers unhook the buckle and adjust to where you want it. Once you've found the sweet spot, just buckle it back. Now adjusting the latigo instead of a girth is a bit trickier! I liked the Australian saddles, The forward billet wraps around somewhat like a winch then buckles and then the rear billet buckles normally like an English saddle. I've never tried an endurance saddle but looking forward to it.... And just so I stay on topic, tried bare-back on my friend's Paso Fino (Osadia) again. That won't ever get old! Those pads (is it a Numnah? or something like that) do seem like a good investment though. Just got some fresh snow so might need to ride again tonight!
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Post by ghostrider on Jan 29, 2014 13:45:31 GMT -5
I always clean and condition my whole fender when I do my saddles maybe it makes it easier to get the double pin in? The only trouble I have is that small buckle on the strap that goes around the bottom of the fender because I'm always afraid if I get it too tight I'll snap it. And if you don't get it tight enough I'm afraid it'll allow the workings to slip through and I'll lose my stirrup. (although it's never happened. )
Never tried out the aussie I had, it was just decorations for the den and have never owned an endurance either. I'm pretty much a western girl. I'd get laughed at in WY in an english saddle. I do see a few here in MO though.
I had two bareback pads, one is the navajo decoration, canvas type and the other looks like a yellowish lambs bottom with stirrups. The Stirrups were a great idea except you can't use them. Any weight and the pad slides right off. Took the stirrups off and sold the pad. My navajo one is nice but I'm not concerned about keeping my pants clean so I haven't dug it out for years. Would rather just ride bareback on the few occasions I ride on the property. I have been looking at the Cashel's soft saddle though. Mostly a bareback pad but enough like a saddle that you can probably use the stirrups. I think they're about $200 though and I would hate to get one and find out it's no better than the pads I have had.
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Post by cyndi on Jan 31, 2014 11:51:37 GMT -5
I can't believe it!! It's the end of January and I get to record that I rode again!!! Yeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaw!! We had fun at the barn this morning. M thought that I should really get on Fanny for some photos, so I did. I just had her rope halter on, so I made reins out of the lead line and jumped on her bareback. Fanny was such a pro! She posed for photos like she's done it her whole life...well, I am always snapping photos of her, so I guess she's used to it. lol I rode around a bit, and it felt so good to be on her. There were a couple of times that she wanted to head to the barn door, but she listened when I directed her in the opposite direction, and she was really nice and sensitive to my leg aids. I barely had to nudge her with my foot and she'd turn. It wasn't a really long ride, but considering I can't remember the last time I got on her bareback without someone holding the rope, we had great success
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Post by ghostrider on Jan 31, 2014 12:31:05 GMT -5
That's great, the new barn sounds wonderful. So are you going to post a pic for us?
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Post by horsespoiler on Jan 31, 2014 22:31:59 GMT -5
Way to go Cyndi. Winnie will let you ride bareback but Whitey acts all wild-eyed if she even thinks you might. Sage I don't even trust with a saddle right now. It really looks like this barn agrees with both of you.
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