I've finally done it. I spent this past weekend, thanks to a friend, at an amazing expo in Alberta where I saw and sat in several saddles of wonderful quality. I'm talking the kind of saddles I've only drooled over online for EVER. I've been driving everyone crazy with my 'saddle dilema' for years and finally gave myself permission to explore a purchase, now that my horse has supposedly stopped growing and changing. Well, now I'm driving everyone within hearing distance crazy with "ohmigawdiluvit". I want to bring it in the house to sit in and admire when I'm not riding in it, I'm so excited about it.
The specs on this work of art are as follows: 15.5" roughed-out barrel saddle, built on FQHB Bowden Tree (of Alberta), completely hand-made tree-to-trim. Real sheepskin underlay, soft pliable fenders, deep seat with 5" cantle. I love the oak and floral tooling, which was done by hand by an older lady of the mom & pop duo that tag-team these saddles.
Riding in it is like a breath of fresh air. My dressage beater has always been comfortable but I never realised how much I didn't relax in it. Borrowing the hubby's big roper hurt Max's shoulders and my seat but it did save my hide during a rowdy ride this spring. Now I can ride WITH the hubby in total comfort and security.
In this past week, Max and I have scaled impossibly vertical sand dunes, done some good working trot and conquered fears of vehicles and unfamiliar territory. I'm a much bolder rider in this rig and he's becoming more bold under me. The one canter we could try before the footing became too wet was brilliant! Instead of moving quick and uncertain, in two strides he slowed right down and rose up underneath me. I wonder if perhaps the dressage beater doesn't fit him as well as I originally thought!
My plan is to ride primarily in this new saddle for the month, @ 3xs a week, to really break it in and see how both he and I feel about it. Well, I already know how I feel about it (lmao!). He's already standing more still for saddling and mounting - from the ground! Something I haven't been able to do with the english outfit. I even dismounted to do some trail maintenance today and successfully did our first trail mount while he patiently stood stock-still, munching his pilfered mouth of spring grass.
This was only our second trail ride of our new schedule this month and already his difference in confidence and willingness was impressive. On Wednesday, he was quite jittery about impolite vehicles, freshly mowed bush and being in the vast sand pits. Today, it was old hat - very boring but also relaxing. Lots of blowing and sighing. I think he likes getting out of the arena. I wonder what his response to the wide-open mud roads is going to be. Fingers crossed that the weather cooperates and we're able to hit them next week!
Last mission to complete this outfit: pick the right saddle pad. I'm thinking chocolate or maroon. Would be nice to have something different than my typical black. Borrowing the hubby's in the mean time, to determine the thickness we might need. I do know it's too long for my short-backed beastie. It measures in at 31.5", whereas I need something around 26", if such a creature exists.
Does the fun never end? I'm so ecstatic to begin this riding season with honest intent and a hearty system to base it on! Nothing to hold us back.
