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. .

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.

Layering fleece sheet under winter blanket

Ha, Ha - Looks like Ella bite Jesse's head off... 

She doesn't like wearing blankets

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 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.

Cold day at the Stable

Saturday's training was cancelled and rescheduled due to the cold. It was -20, with windchill -27, but it felt more like -30 and is expected to stay cold all week. 

We brought Eli in and Jesse spent some time playing with him in the arena so I was able to catch some of it on video. Eli was quite spunky today and wanted to roll around in the dirt. I am glad to see he's very active and playful. He demonstrating his ability to move around freely, his joints not being too stiff or cracking (way better now than before - especially when it's this cold). 

I was worried for a moment when he rolled in the dirt, the first time, that he would flip over and wedge himself against the wall and get stuck. This is when his high wither (dorsal fin) comes in handy as it usually prevents him from being able to do that. He did buck a bit when he was playing, video below, but I wouldn't take it as misbehaving as he isn't on a lead - but we do have to be cautious. When I was in the barn cleaning and Jesse was leaning against the door, Eli bucked and fully extended his hind legs out while doing a lap around the Arena. I'm sure he would do this out in the field at pasture and if he doesn't do it once in a while indoors then when is he able to. Jesse had a lot of fun and got some exercise as well. 

We went out and brought Ella in, let her stretch out and warm up a bit. We put both a fleece sheet and their winter jackets on (layering) before turning them out into their paddocks again. They stay out all night so the layers and their shelter will help keep them comfy. Ella was so quiet and such a sweet heart again, seems she is getting more comfortable with us and her surroundings. 

Back outside we filled up their slow feeders. Next visit will be Christmas day with my parents. I am excited for them to meet Ella. Will bring out mash for them as a treat.

Wednesday's Stable Visit: December 19, 2012

We headed out to the Stable last night, heard the temperature was dropping and wanted to work with the Ponies. When we got out there we took Ella inside the barn and removed her sheet, groomed her and checked her hooves.

I snapped on the western reins to her halter. Jesse surprised asked, "what are you doing" - so I told him that I intended to go for a ride on her bareback in the indoor arena.

With his help (holding the lead to her halter) I put the reins over her head. While she stood still and I stood on a stool I hung or draped myself over her back and loin. After doing this a couple of times (and having Jesse say "well are you going to get on or what, bewildered) I proceeded to swing my leg over her hind quarters stopping my foot or lightly bumping the heel of my foot on her croup or dock (near her tail). She did great, she didn't move away, she didn't stir, her ear was flicking back and fourth to indicate she was paying attention (and probably thinking the same thing as Jesse)

When I was comfortable I jumped so my stomach lay across her back and at the same time as pushing myself up with my arms I swung my leg over. There, done, on! She remained still. Once on Jesse proceeded to walk her around the arena with me on her back, bare, no tack.






I took a few things into consideration, one of them being that she had no tack or padding on, she wasn't as familiar with Jesse holder her lead and lastly, not having a saddle on meant I didn't have a stir-up to step into and saddle to hold when hoisting myself up and she's a TALL horse. I still had to hop and bump to get on her from the stepping stool.I suppose I should look into a proper stepping stool as well for these tall, high backed horses

After I was led around the Arena a few times on Ella I hopped off and asked Jesse (with the knowledge that he has just seen me do it) if he wanted to give it a go. So he did, he took his time and hoisted himself up. Once up and on he was amazed at how comfortable Ella is, even said he prefers riding without a saddle. I took her around the arena a few times (quite a few more times around then even I had gone) and Jesse noticed your balance is really important, that if he sat in the right spot and positioned his legs correctly (what we think is correctly, will have to check on that) she seemed to be all that more comfortable and relaxed. She was a lot more comfortable having me on the ground leading her around and that helped Jesse relax therefore be a bit more comfortable.

So this is what we did, walked around in the indoor arena spending time working on trust while being safe respecting her and ourselves. I knew she would be fine, but to be honest she was a lot quieter than even I expected. She was extremely quiet when in the barn leading up to the Arena as well. I have no doubt that a lot of Jesse's doubts or fear dissipated and he developed that much more trust in her just from that short relatively relaxed interaction.

After working with Ella we put her blankets back on (was still extremely quiet) and took her back out to her paddock and have her some feed. Then we brought Eli in. He was pretty worked up with his head bobbing again, neighing his face off and desperately needed to burn off some steam. So we turned him out in the indoor arena and that he did. Wish I had my phone with me then to record (always when you don't have it Dole's Law) he was running, jumping, bucking (no rearing) tossing his head around. He ran and then sniffed the ground and sure enough you could see his front knees bending then rolled and rolled in the dirt all the while snorting like a moose - it's really quite the spectacle. Nice to see him all lively and playful. After he played and burned off steam for a while we groomed him and and worked with him in the barn.

Before we left we filled up their slow feeder hay nets and made sure they had dry blankets on. Will be heading out again soon. Can't wait, slow but steady progress.  I will look into bare back saddle pads and the benefits of them as well as the pros and cons of the different styles available.

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Stacy Westfall on the Ellen Degeneres Show 3/14/08 part 2/2

Stacy Westfall on the Ellen Degeneres Show 3/14/08 part 1/2