Thursday, January 14, 2010

Fretting over fashion

In April I'll be going to a clinic, my first multi-day clinic. I'm hoping to get some long rides in, read some books by the clinician, and outline what it is I hope to get from this experience. All in two and a half months.

But first, I have to solve a sort of embarrassing situation. Which saddle to use.

I have four saddles. Tomorrow I'm going to get them all set up on Cibolo and take some pictures to post.

There's the Circle Y Flex Tree Trail Saddle that is my husband's saddle and too big for me (17.5). But it's a lovely, well made saddle.

There's the Aussie saddle that I am selling because I can't feel my horse when I ride.

There's the pretty barrel saddle, Circle Y, but I bought it for my daughter and it's 14.5 - just a smidge too small.

Then there's my not much to look at but comfy to ride in 15" Fabtron synthetic saddle that I ride in most of the time.

I feel shallow saying this, but I don't really want to ride in my ... ugly saddle.


Silly, right? Someone talk me off the ledge here... I can't afford another saddle (at least not until I get rid of the Aussie). And it takes me forever to find a saddle.

Stop by for a picture parade tomorrow sometime...

8 comments:

Cactus Jack Splash said...

I think you should ride the saddle that fits your horse and you the best...looks don't matter.
This from the person who had to give up riding her custom made, fancy tooled, bling of a saddle because it was too tight for Jack for an ugly draft sized saddle that fits him like a dream. It was a bit humbling, but we are both happier for it.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Sounds like you've already realized which saddle you should take......comfy and better fitting, although not pretty to look at.

Don't worry about fashion. You're there to soak up the knowledge, not show off your good taste in butt wear. ;-)

I'm also needing a new saddle, too. I only have the one but, like your Aussie saddle, I can't feel the horse. It's very comfy with it's padded, suspended seat, but I think that's one of the reasons I fell off my horse.


~Lisa

Crystal said...

Use the one you are most comfy in, you willlearn way more if you are comfortable and not worried about the saddle.
I finally got the saddle I really wanted and I love it, but before then, I used one i wasnt comfy in it and was always thinking about it.

Anonymous said...

Ride in what you and your horse are comfortable in - no one's going to care about your tack. But you might want to take your other saddles along too, if you have room, in the event saddle fit becomes a question.

Unknown said...

So I guess I'll just use a pretty saddle blanket. :D

and I agree Lisa, a saddle that puts you up high can definitely throw you.

The last thing I want to be thinking about is a saddle when I'm riding. I'll bring all three, just in case (as Kate suggested).

Michelle said...

Kate has a good point, you should take as many as you can. But you should plan on riding in your primary saddle, the one that you and your horse are most comfortable in. You don't want to be distracted from the purpose of the clinic by an ill fitting saddle.

jacksonsgrrl said...

I REFUSE to ride Western cause I can't feel a thing and have had the same thing lately in my Aussie on trail rides. Thank GOD I have my english saddle or I would DIE. It is the only one I can learn in cause it has such great contact.
So--Use the one you can learn in. NUFF SAID!
:)

Wolfie said...

Comfy with nice saddle blanket - that's my vote!