brght shiny new/same old same old

I had a day off last week (a local holiday) so finally bit the bullet and took Fi away in the trailer to look at saddles.

I had been in two minds about this - the western saddle does fit her and the amount of work she is doing - well does it really justify *two* saddles ? (plus the ones I haven't sold yet)

But even if she is feeling good, I couldn't do dressage with her in the western saddle. And it is much heavier than an english saddle.

So I figured I would finally bottom out the question about whether the Easisit was ever going to work for us and, if the answer was no, look for an alternative at the same time.

The saddlery concerned doesn't tend to stock dressage saddles. But I figured a sensible GP would do the trick as we're unlikely to be doing anything high powered. Off we toddled. Apart from a minor detour, we got there. Guess what - it was raining !

Got the Easisit assessed - and had it explained why it was never really going to work well with madam's shape and type. So they started bringing out alternatives to try. We ended up with 3 that looked like worth trying a sit - a couple of news ones and a second hand one.

Tried the new one that looked the bestr fit first. It felt pretty good although Fi was slightly confused by the strange noises it was managing to make ! (The wax they use on new saddles means it squeaked quite amazingly !).

Then tried the next best fit - the second hand one. This was a more forward cut saddle and a very light colour. Initially it felt ok, but when I tried to rise I found I could not move without belting myself on the front of saddle :(

Which was a shame as it was half the cost of the new one. So now I have a bright shiny new Jeffries WH saddle at home. I haven't had a chance to play with it further as the nights are closing in. I may play tomorrow but Sunday is a show ! I've entered in the in-hand and walk-jog pleasure - just low key.

Well that is assuming Fi doesn't manage to do anything crazy. I went down to help give Red his supper last night and she was looking very sore on a hind leg. We think she had twisted it - just - as she was fine again today. (There was no obvious heat or swelling at the time so it was a watching brief anyway).

Now I just have to do something with my two "surplus to requirements" saddles... eBay here I come !