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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
 England
794 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 08:41:34 AM
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http://horsedreamimporters.com/bareback.php
Okay, so you all know Freya and her saddle problems.
I'm looking down every route now, and this little option is a possibility, just for short term, but I wanted to know if anyone else had any experience with these...
I can ride Freya bareback, with absolutely no fuss from her, so maybe this is the way to go?? However, I don't think the judges would be too impressed with me if I entered any showing or dressage classes in one of these.... And of course.. No knee roll. Which I need for jumping etc.
So yeah. Any info on these would be greatly appreciated.
They look mighty comfortable!!
Anna x
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Splash&Freya. |
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kath
Gold Member
United Kingdom
943 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 09:35:44 AM
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I think they would be very comfortable, but no use for competing in - it does depend what you want to do with her though :)
Re saddle issues, have you got a definate opinion or would it be worth asking a couple of other people? I am not doubting the person who told you she needed such a teeny saddle - i have never seen Freya in the flesh, obviously - but i have never heard of anything needing such a small saddle, it sounded Shetland sized! Just a though 
Also, though extremely expensive, WOW saddles can be made with small panels but larger seats without unbalancing the whole saddle - if you can try a second hand one (new ones are crazy dear) then that might be an option for you? |
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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
England
794 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 09:56:35 AM
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Oh I'm near to crying over her saddles.
I've had four different lots of saddlers out in the last three weeks.
All of them [independent of the other] have said a 13.5"-14.5" saddle. Depending on the cut, so a smaller working hunter or show saddle, or the GP/Event/close contact jump saddle nearer 14.5"
I have a man called Michael Jennings [look him up on the internet] on hand if I need to have the saddle I backed her in done up and re-made. The tree was on it's way out, so he will mend it, then re leather absolutely everything. Nice and expensive, but completely worth it if she likes it and goes well in it.
The bareback pad, I would use it for hacking and low level schooling so her back can have a break between lessons in the leather saddle.
That was an idea Mr. Jennings had for her.
I'm at my wit's end.
I want to compete her, and do dressage, but I want to jump too... She needs to be an all rounder. Plus...  I'm an old fashioned gal who loves her leather.... Awful me I know.
Cheers Kath xx |
Splash&Freya. |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 10:10:58 AM
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Presuming she is the one on the right in your profile pics I find it hard to believe she needs such a small saddle.
Bareback pads can lead to pressure issues under seat bones and stirrup hangers if you do any amount of work.
Those Christ Lamfelle products are freely available in the UK - no need to get them from the US (pm me if you need further info). |
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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
England
794 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 10:21:22 AM
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I have had, as I said above, 4 new saddlers [all master saddlers] come to see Freya now.
So that makes it... 5 Saddle Fitters, 2 Vets and one Physio/McTimony Practioner.
I find it had to believe as well, but there you go. Horses are always surprising you.
She is indeed the one on the right hand side, but looks can be deceiving lol.
I'm hoping the 13.5" GP/close contact saddle will work for her, once the tree has been repaired and the leather has been redressed or replaced and of course, all new flocking.
It's a very nice little saddle, so fingers crossed [or mummy doesn't know what else to do]
Anna x
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kath
Gold Member
United Kingdom
943 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 10:24:44 AM
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I think when i next buy a horse, instead of a vetting i'm going to get a saddler to look at it - nightmare isnt it!
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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
England
794 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 10:27:44 AM
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Yes.
Yes it is!!!
Number one priority from now on lol!!!!
xx |
Splash&Freya. |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 1:24:43 PM
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| AnnaMaisy, there are lots of saddle fitters out there, and a few that I would stake my life on, If you are willing to think out side the box I know 3 that could end your problems with the saddle. pm me if you want to try and put an end to your saddle problem! |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 2:31:00 PM
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| Just a thought Anna, have you tried a pony fit saddle, my 12.2hh pony has a Bates pony saddle in 16in , i aslo have a wintec in 16in , the Wintec 16in dose not fit, its too big on all counts yet the Bates 16in pony fits him perfectly, i know they do smaller sizes, good luck in your search it must be very disheartening for you, i also wish my bum would fit in one so small, i only can to as far down as 15in |
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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
England
794 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 2:59:43 PM
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Judith - Yes I can... Amazing right? Such a god send that I am petite.
Sab2 - We tried a Bates last week... Too long unfortunately, it was sitting too high off her back, so I didn't even bother getting on.
Glo. I am not prepared to get more saddle fitters out. Mine are just fine. Michael Jennings is well known in the area, and sees to many clients who are also well known.
I also, would 'stake my life on' my original saddle fitter. I know everyone is trying to help.
Just because we are struggling with finding a correct and suitable saddle for Freya now, doesn't mean they are making mistakes with her back.
It just means she is an unusual shape.
Saddle Fitter out again tomorrow, so I'll post what ever happens then.
As the original post was intended - Anyone with experience with the bareback pads, please let me know - Thank you x
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delly-b
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1107 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 3:04:35 PM
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| Anna have you looked at the saddle company saddles.? I had a 14" made for my pony and is a lovely saddle and can be adjusted if needed. ... Check out the Verona .... They seem to be able to make bespoke flaps on all size seats. |
       
Adele
Batley, West Yorkshire |
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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
England
794 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 3:06:27 PM
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Thanks Delly-b, I'm looking it up right now.
I think one of the ponios on the yard has a made to measure by them, but I'll ask tonight and have a peek at it.
Verona.... Wicked, Thanks again
Anna x |
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kath
Gold Member
United Kingdom
943 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 3:33:38 PM
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| I think, as Judith has said, the pads may end up giving you more issues. If you can get a saddle sorted then you wont' have any need for a pad too :) |
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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
England
794 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 3:35:42 PM
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Well that is my hope, but in the mean time, why not? My saddle did not cause her the back problems [don't know how many more times I can say that now]
People ride bareback all the time... why not me with a large fluffy thing?
A large fluffy thing has to be better than going bare completely????? Anyone here ride bareback? |
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kath
Gold Member
United Kingdom
943 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 4:06:18 PM
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Bareback yes, but Judith mentioned you can get pressure points from stirrup bars etc (just as you can in a treeless saddle).
Just a point to consider - i think bareback is probably better and more natural, if you can 'bear' it |
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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
England
794 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 4:26:03 PM
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Lol, Kath... I laughed quite loudly in the office...
Dang Ponies.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow.. Everything crossed for tomorrow actually! xx |
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SuziQ
Gold Member
England
922 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 8:14:13 PM
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I have used a bare back pad not dissimilar to that pad and it also looks like a scaled down version of my Barefoot Cheyenne.
As Judith has already said they come with their own set of problems.. they need to be adequately padded to not create pressure points by the stirrup hangers and under the seat and over the shoulders if their is a fixed block. You then need different stirrups that are closed because the stirrup bars are closed, you must get these or they are really dangerous if you come off and foot twists.
They are notoriously unstable..I sometimes think I stick better without the bloody thing but on shiney horses that has its drawbacks too! You would almost certainly need a limpet pad. I would say not cheap enough for what you gain..you could try looking for a size 0 barefoot if you wanted something different.
I am curious about the saddle size as well as I have 14inch made to measure saddle on a 11hh pony, is she very short in the ribs or is her shoulder very upright? Reactor panel saddles are designed to sit and flex over the shoulder. |
Everyone in my life brings me happiness, some by arriving others by leaving. |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 8:38:30 PM
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I know that you say you trust your saddle fitter, and are not prepared to get any other saddle fitters, we are trying to help.
All I can say is ignorance is bliss!! I can guaranty that I know 3 fitters that would fit your horse with a saddle that would fit that's not tiny! would not give her a back problem, and would improve her way of going, you may ask how do I know!
I know because I have been down the path that so many on this forum are looking for, you know that your saddle is not right but cant seem to get a better fit, or its ok for a few months and then you get problems again.
You will have problems after problems I also looked at the bare back pads that you are looking at, I have been there, done it and found a better way.
I new things were not right and I found by chance 15 years ago a better way, and have never had a saddle problem since.
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FullCircle
Gold Member
Scotland
554 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 8:51:59 PM
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| I had a saddle fitter who I really liked - personally and professionally. I tried everything she suggested, but I knew that my saddle just wasn't working for my horse (or me). I ended up getting another fitter from rather far away - got a reactor panel - and it's the best thing I could have done. I'm essentially too large for my horse's back - but the reactor panel suits this combination. I know some people don't like them, and they do take a little getting used to. But I would suggest thinking outside of the box. If your saddle isn't working or your fitter isn't quite getting it right, by all means, try someone and something else! You owe it your horse - not the fitter! |
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Liz100
Silver Member
United Kingdom
370 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 9:14:55 PM
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I have a Christ bareback pad (the first pic on your link with the knee rolls). It is super comfy and Raf likes it too. However I don't have stirrups attached and only use it in the school as I don't think I'm safe enough in it to risk going out on the roads. I'd like to think that one day I'll be able to hack out in it, especially in winter when it's cold. Really, I think it's just a bit of fun though, not a serious alternative to a saddle, for us anyway.
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East Yorkshire |
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Pop
Platinum Member
England
3051 Posts |
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 9:39:09 PM
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Really feel for you with saddle dilemma because we try to do our best by our horses. Bit skeptical sometimes listening to saddle fitters that visit my yard who have a commercial interest in saddles they are promoting and getting good mark up from. Faith was restored by saddler that came out after we backed our boy and after full checks said unless you want new saddle the one you have is fine.
I do believe we can over think the saddle / back thing. I am am old school so my opinion maybe not relevant but agree with others that tiny saddle is not the way.
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Etoile
Silver Member
275 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 10:03:34 PM
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| Have you considered trying treeless, it would give you a halfway between a bareback pad and a treed saddle, and it would allow you to do a lot more than a bareback pad would. It should also allow you to get a slightly bigger seat size. We use the ansur classic, which has no gullet and is very close contact, but looks pretty much like a conventional saddle. |
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2013 : 11:02:31 PM
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Also heard about pads' issues with seat bones and stirrups pressure,seems to do more harm than good.
Like others I don't know how you can fit in such a small saddle,how can your pelvis move?Seems to me it would make for very rigid riding... |
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FullCircle
Gold Member
Scotland
554 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jun 2013 : 06:07:32 AM
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| re the dead sheep (as my friend calls hers). She rides in hers round home - but she once tried hacking in it. Horse spooked, she came off and she lost the horse - which crossed a very busy A road and was missing for about an hour. She loves riding in it though. I'm fairly certain BD wouldn't let you use that, and many unaff shows will follow BD rules. Riding club jumping you couldn't use it either, and probably not for BS. And it wouldn't be allowed for showing either - or if it was, it wouldn't do any favours in the ring as even the wrong saddle cloth could lose you a place or two. |
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Any experience with these fluffy things?
