A Blog to track and share everything equine.
Thursday, 3 January 2013
A Saddle for Ella
Since we've now been on Ella twice and intend to continue riding her I have gone out and picked up a saddle on trial.
Eli's saddle doesn't quite fit her as it is narrow with a high pommel (meant for Eli and his high withers) and she has a flatter back and broader shoulders so I think it's a bit tight and doesn't have good contact with her back.
I decided to go with a General Purpose English saddle as the one we have for Eli is an Australian stock (hybrid of a western and an English saddle) but I find they are built narrow, or I would have gone with one on a trial with a local tack shop for her as well. Later on down the road we can pick up an Aussie or Western when I better know hers and my size/fit.
Saddle fitting is challenging and as much as I would like to buy a second hand saddle, in this case a less expensive economical or synthetic brand such as Supra may be my best bet. This way if it doesn't fit her, or me for that matter, I can bring it back and exchange it for another less expensive brand or simply a different size tree or seat. If that doesn't work, I can return it and try somewhere else.
When I am more familiar with the different brands, types, sizes and fits I can be a bit more confident and accurate in my saddle shopping. As it stands I picked out an 18" seat on a medium tree with a higher rise Panel and Cantle in the back and a lower pommel in the front.
I'm thinking that as I am 5'10" with long legs I need a larger size to accommodate my leg length. I was concerned there would be a big space or gaping the saddle would be too big, but after having Jesse take a picture of me half seated on the saddle it appears to have one hand width of space behind me to the edge of the seat, which to my understanding is the recommended amount of space.The saddle flaps also end just around my calf area now instead of closer to my knee/thigh. .
Eli's saddle doesn't quite fit her as it is narrow with a high pommel (meant for Eli and his high withers) and she has a flatter back and broader shoulders so I think it's a bit tight and doesn't have good contact with her back.
I decided to go with a General Purpose English saddle as the one we have for Eli is an Australian stock (hybrid of a western and an English saddle) but I find they are built narrow, or I would have gone with one on a trial with a local tack shop for her as well. Later on down the road we can pick up an Aussie or Western when I better know hers and my size/fit.
When I am more familiar with the different brands, types, sizes and fits I can be a bit more confident and accurate in my saddle shopping. As it stands I picked out an 18" seat on a medium tree with a higher rise Panel and Cantle in the back and a lower pommel in the front.
I'm thinking that as I am 5'10" with long legs I need a larger size to accommodate my leg length. I was concerned there would be a big space or gaping the saddle would be too big, but after having Jesse take a picture of me half seated on the saddle it appears to have one hand width of space behind me to the edge of the seat, which to my understanding is the recommended amount of space.The saddle flaps also end just around my calf area now instead of closer to my knee/thigh. .
As for fit in terms of Ella, that I will have to see when I head out to the Stable, but she is a much taller and longer horse than most (one of the reason's Jesse and I were looking into Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, their height, as we are tall ourselves) horses and therefore have a longer backs. As long as the saddle isn't too long on her or raises up in the back while I ride and seats evenly without being too narrow or high at the withers - I think it will be ok. If it does fit this is a great deal as it is a boxing week sale and an inexpensive saddle to begin with. If this saddle turns out to be either too long, or too big for me (or both) but fits all the other criteria I know someone selling this exact saddle in a size 17" seat for $100 with the stirrup leathers. Otherwise all I will need to do is pick up stirrup leathers, stirrups and a girth.
Jochen Schleese, Certified Master Saddle Fitter
Founder of Schleese Saddlery
~Christmas Day~ Stable Visit
Christmas Day my Mom, Dean, Jesse and myself went out to the stable and spent some time with Eli and Ella. It was a great day, cold but nice to be out. We put the winter blankets on the Ponies and fed them some Christmas Mash and Mom and Dean finally met Ella, Dean met both Eli and Ella for the first time.
Mom took some photos with her awesome camera and overall we had a great time, despite the weather. Jesse and Dean filled the hay feeders while Mom and I fed The horses carrots and enjoyed the quite, crisp countryside.
Mom took some photos with her awesome camera and overall we had a great time, despite the weather. Jesse and Dean filled the hay feeders while Mom and I fed The horses carrots and enjoyed the quite, crisp countryside.
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| Layering fleece sheet under winter blanket |
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| Ha, Ha - Looks like Ella bite Jesse's head off... |
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| She doesn't like wearing blankets |
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| Crisp air showing everyone's breath... |
First Ride on Ella
On Sunday, December 30, 2012 Jesse and I decided, after seeing his parents off, to head back to the stable and hop on Ella. We picked up the chin strap that I was missing from her head stall and some feed from the store then proceeded to the barn, tacked her up and headed into the arena.
I walked her around for a bit letting her saddle settle and re-adjust, then I tightened it up and used the stool to get on (she's so tall).
She's been doing so well with her training that I felt confident I didn't need any assistance whatsoever (meaning Jesse offered to hold the reins for me to assure she stayed still) to mount and I wasn't wrong. She stood patiently. Once on I simply clucked, or made the clicking noise and forward she went. I barely used any leg pressure that's how responsive and sensitive she is.
We walked around the arena doing figure eights and practicing our stop. I kept it short and sweet and that it was. Then Jesse hopped on for a short walk around. Combining the two short rides together made one decent 35 to 40 minute session. She didn't work up a sweat and we didn't trot but she still got some exercise and practice.
We decided to start off 2013 by going for our second ride on Ella, which happened to be the following Tuesday. We took Eli in first and did some ground work with him, tacked him up but the saddle we have for him is pinching and I didn't feel comfortable getting on until I have it looked at and he's been quite hot so the vet is going to assess him next week when he is out. None the less he got out and did some exercise/work.
We got some video of the first ride and some pictures, none of the second ride as we had company with us.
She's been doing so well with her training that I felt confident I didn't need any assistance whatsoever (meaning Jesse offered to hold the reins for me to assure she stayed still) to mount and I wasn't wrong. She stood patiently. Once on I simply clucked, or made the clicking noise and forward she went. I barely used any leg pressure that's how responsive and sensitive she is.
We walked around the arena doing figure eights and practicing our stop. I kept it short and sweet and that it was. Then Jesse hopped on for a short walk around. Combining the two short rides together made one decent 35 to 40 minute session. She didn't work up a sweat and we didn't trot but she still got some exercise and practice.
We put Eli back into the paddock and then brought Ella in, tacked her up and went for a second ride. This time I had her back up and she did great. She's amazingly smart and clever. The entire time we had a couple with us observing and spending time with the horses. They are interested in getting a couple of their own and riding Eli or Ella in the meantime, if we are comfortable with it. So we invited them along to get used to the horses and their individual personalities, plus we were able to point out how sensitive their breeding is (Standardbred, Thoroughbred) I am learning neither of them require a lot of pressure and do much better with less. I keep in mind our trainer's training method of training (pressure scale) and I find now having rode Ella that she is responsive on a 1 or 2, no need to start off at a 4 or 6 (on a scale of 1 - 10, 1 being minimal pressure, 10 being maximum)
We got some video of the first ride and some pictures, none of the second ride as we had company with us.
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