SAVORING the SADDLE

Yea...the time is finally Nye- to pick up the "KONKLUSION" saddle I ordered back in February2011!
Driving up to Washington on this first of several gorgeous "SPRUMMER" days (spring/summer together) was so perfect!

It was a gorgeous day for driving with the view of the White capped Mount Hood in front of me, and the Columbia River off to the side of the freeway. What special people the Weidners (creators of the ANSUR saddle) are...they are so busy making saddles for everyone, but took the time to talk and sit with me. I inspected my saddle in the break room...it is beautiful !

Carole, the creator of "ANSUR", made room for me to sit in the saddle.

I could have taken the tour of the place...but they prefer to do those at the ends of the work day, as they can be so disruptive for the saddle worker bees. I totally understand and will go back later, when my stablemate Julie, is in the house during her apprenticeship.I WANTED TO RIDE anyway- so the tour is better put off for another time! Plans had been made for meeting a friend on the Oregon Fishing Club lands she rides frequently...those are the lands below our stable.
She had to cancel right at the last minute...but...that is okay with me....SAVORING THE NEW SADDLE is what I really wanted to do~ I know I used a seemingly food related word...but it is almost food like getting and having a saddle again...sustenance for the rider is the tack that fits and works well for the equine athlete, and themselves!!!  Looked it up...Among the descriptions are :" To Appreciate Fully; Relish".

In the break room, there is a huge wall of photos of happy horses and mules and folks! This was a quarter of them....Carole pointed to one of the horses...the dejected Chestnut in the center photo- he scheduled to be Euthanized...because of his terrible ,dangerous ways...it was the saddle fit that troubled him...that is him alive and under saddle below, middle. You can't see the white hairs on his withers..but I did, standing there.

Below, is how I did that  Saddle Savoring. To beginning to end result, to me finally riding last Friday,  took over an hour and a half to be ready to go. I loved it...took my time.
The mare was NOT dirty in the least.
 I just wanted it to be such a positive experience for her. Tacking up the saddle, over the years, has gotten worse and worse...so if this New Saddle, and all it does represent to me  being made without a wood tree and with a NASA material that is fully flexible/shock absorbing for my mare's ultimate comfort and performance-if it was  truly  going to be different for us...the beginning needed to be!
If there is ONE THING I have learned from being a TB mare's girl..it is that "remembered pain,  is sometimes as real as the actual thing."

The mare,  was interested to sniff, lick  and inspect it...and just hang out with her new "Special ordered", hand crafted saddle. I will add, she totally appreciated the lax mood of- maybe we'll tack up and maybe not. Yea, Although I wanted to ride really badly, I did not want her to react to me tacking up with the new saddle.  I had decided that this  had to go smoothly and with out ears pensively coming back, or her pawing.


I also was inspecting the saddle slowly myself...it has quite a few "removable" leg blocks. 2 under the front panel and one behind the calf.
( a little forward on that calf  triangle looking block..i was riding aloing and felt such a bad buring feeling in oine of my claves..I thought.."dang, been without stirrups so long I've a charlie horse!" NOPE...it was the block bruisiung me! I took both off and shoved them into my pockets.

In all the tacking up and delays of putting special things on the saddle-the sheepskin seat saver, the grab strap, adjusting the breast collar... the mare just dosed in the warmer temps. It was NOT- TOO- HOT though...there was this heavenly breeze blowing through the stable.

NOTHING made her tense up (save the one time I shoved my hand under the front panel-oops)  I was so pleased with this outcome, but felt badly to cause her to remember something of the past. I had to apologise...and give her another treat, for her patience!

I wonder if she remembers, through smell, this longer girth as positive...'cause she never flicked and ear while I put it on the leather billets, and adjusted the billet guard.  They had the billets put into it incorrectly, so It was alot of push/pulling to change it...the mare seemed to be unaffected with this stuff!

I have to say, I love a longer girth and if I were to order a Dressage saddle made-I will be making it a "special order" to have the girth placed right into the hollow of where my knee is bent, under the saddle's panel, instead of using a short girth. My "Professional Choice" girth is one that was a good addition to the tack arsenal. Easy to clean..elastic on both ends that are split. I have learned to not over tighten an elastic girth too..thanks to Carole's video  on the ANSUR web site.

So, as I took my sweet time the mare dosed on and seemed totally comfortable with all that I did. That was so reassuring.

The "KONKLUSION" all purpose saddle also has a "gullet pillow". It Velcros into place, like all the blocks.

I tried  the saddle WITH the "GULLET PILLOW" the first time I rode out, then took photos of the mare's sweat patterns....

See how the HAF pas creates it's own channel  under the saddle.

As we left the stable to go on our solo -trial ride of the saddle...I liked what I saw in the mare..willingness to go and also no restraint in movement...the first test was to halt and back up, then immediately trot off the halt.

(I had  lunged her for 2 minutes before..just to warm her up some)

She did all fluidly so, and when I asked for the trot..I stood slightly, in half seat...she was great....off she trotted without hesitation..no pinning of the ears or hollowing!!

It was soo nice to have stirrups again!!!

Our first ride was walking, with  just  that first little trot at the start. I wanted to feel with her, the new motions and actions of the saddle...she was WONDERFUL and forward..snorting her little snorts as she and I rode down the long hill to the rest of the trails below. I am glad I did ride it and not dismount...As I mentioned, hills could always turn our rides into unpleasant experiences.  She hesitated not..I was elated! And as she saw the Oregon Trail XC course I had made,  for the first time, she was too cute to want to get closer...sniff it all out and keep going!

I have funny videos..maybe blogger will allow me to actually load them for you. I was a bit..um...happy-go-silly!

I'll put them in thier own post...as if I loose this one..it'll make me mad!

Sweat patterns fisrt day....it would have been even on the right side, but her mane was between the pad and her skin. The spine dry and all else mostly wet...

What does it say to you??

 And I must add..the mare twists to the right...usually throwing me over to the left. I ask her to do bends around my lf leg and give me an left eyeball through out any ride.

After such a positive ride I made sure the mare had a cooling, gentle shower with a Horse Wash product I found years ago...it really has lasted!! It has all knids of neat herbs in it!

 You attach the hose to the actual bottle, and it has setting for Off/Rinse/Wash so you don't even have to turn off the water after you suds up.

So, even though this seat is extra cushy..my tushy was sore- sore!

WEAR MARKS...my first of so many more to come!

POSITIVE, ENCOURAGING...is  how I do sum up the first ride!!

More to come so please bear with me, while I savor the memories now of my newest tack edition!

Happy Ears ~ Under Saddle

Oh yes folks..this mare is a very relaxed, and happy horse with her new ANSUR saddle.

 Oh my...I can't tell you how my nerves were even nervous, about this day!

My conclusion (this is now after 4 rides) on the ANSUR "KONKLUSION" is: It's and an excellent choice for us!

Firstly....

Had to find these to use.

The "lock down" last week, due to the equine virus, helped with cleaning out the locker and doing inventory!

Yea...found many items that will be used for a saddle!

And...

"Sprummer" has blossomed here in our neck of the woods in Oregon. That is a different word than normal for this time of year, but also are the conditions we have had. We have gone from winter temps and conditions, to seeing springtime show up, with summer temperatures!

Woo...a bit of a shock, but with the heavenly breezes that came right along with the heat..no problem, it was PERFECTLY GREAT! And I got to  pick up my NEW ANSUR saddle Friday and ride these past 4 days-trial like. It was even GREATER!

Of course I have so much to say, with many words about the rides the mare and me have had. Also, about a million photos! BUT... (and my butt is so sore) I am so wiped out from being on the go ... and posting lately is labor intensive...combo old computer and blogger antics. I will  only tell a wee bit of the rides this time and show you a few photos.

My New Saddle's looks are certainly  different than traditional. But, it is NOT Traditional. The measurements are the same, in all the right places- for function and comfort. All other things about the design, are MUCH different for the mare - that is why I think it works for her.

The  first saddle (test) ride was the long  decent from the stable. Hills have always made the mare pensive with saddles. Them slipping and hitting her shoulders.

 I was nervous and almost did not ride down the hill. I am so glad I chose to ride, not walk. It was fantastic, no stopping, hollowing, ear pinning. Nothing but happy, relaxed snorts, here and there. I have to credit the "HAF" pad for the non- slippage too.

We walked the new jump course for the first ride out ...easy peeasy. The next day, since it was much warmer and I had another ride planned on Mustang Cazi, later on in

 the evening...the mare and me just did a 25 minute OUT & BACK, jumping the course!  And yesterday, I rode with a gal from the stable. Each time I tried a different configuration of the saddle..with and without leg blocks.

I'll be getting back to you soon on all the specs!

Hope that your  "Sprummer" weekend was fantabulous too!

Crummy phone photo- before the ride

 One other little ditty here. I brought the saddle home so the family could see it in person...it kinda is a member and all. I weighed it ..Freyda cat weighs more than my new saddle does!!

She is 17 lbs and my new "KONKLUSION" saddle is only 14lbs!(yea...it did it several times 'cause I was so shocked!

More to come about the ULTIMATE TEST HACK OUT RIDE~ And...

  My EQUESTRIAN WORLD FRIEND...I've the post brewing, for the favorite TACK!!

Oregon Trail XCountry

I just had to spend my last day of "stay home vacation", out in the country. I figured this would be my clean up day, from coming back from horse camping..so since I had already done the clean up thing, a few days ago ..I would take the mare for a walk and I would clear trails while she ate grasses....well....as I went to see how she was in the field....hum, where was she?

The  past 5 days, she has run to the gate seeing me and hearing me call to her.

Not this day.

She was enjoying a laydown time of munching and rolling, I had ridden her the past 5 days in a row, even if it was just in the soft arena for 15-20 minutes over Cavallettis and around cones. So I decided to let her be in the grasses again this day, without the ride.

I walked on down the trail with my clippers, tree loppers  and gloves, intending on something special for a certain area.

I was captivated by the wild iris by the path. Some near, some far..but everywhere they are!

And, just near our fenceline...a "POOPIN' STOPIN' I call it...it's the evidence of a horse that has to stop while doing his thing. It is annoying to me to be riding and have that happen.

Down the trail from our stable I went..

..and voices I heard, horses I saw through the trees at the bottom~

Here they came, up the trail towards our stable from a neighboring stable.

 I have seen these two before! The Appy stole a bite of grass on the trail, before it's rider could pull it up!

This was a big dude, on a big dude's horse! I noticed the "Rhythm Beads" of both horses...

AND..check out this dudes mustache!!

He has beads in it too!(oou)

There they go, up the trail towards our stable

I also Noticed the braid on the Dudes horses tail!

One of their horses" did it"  the way that does not interrupt a nice trail ride...NOT STOPPING to poo!

This is called a "Poopin' Walkin' " And horses can do it- contrary to some beliefs!

I loved seeing all the new growth on the evergreens!

So, I got to work on a trail the recent loggers made ..it was full of slash branches and rocks and as I was clearing, I thought...hummm, this is the perfect trail for some cross country jumps!

 I always enjoy a good natural log or downed tree jump along the trail when I ride.  I  have also set them up in all the woods I have ridden consistently over the years. The mare truly LOVES to jump..she gets rather excited and focused.  In the past, we took weekly jump lessons at a local stable. The fact that the arena was outdoors made it nice too...she likes the outdoor setting as much as I do!

Last week, during our first week of "lock down" due to the EHV-1 outbreak..I had some nice times around home, to spend with the mare.  It was truly a volatile weather week..but somehow, the mare and me  managed to get out all of the days and ride, without getting totally soaked.  I also  was communicating with the owner of Cavallo hoof boots over my recent findings through THEROGRAPHY. She and I got to talk for an hour over her Co. and the boots. What a nice lady she was!! Carole, the founder of Cavallo, was upset that my mare had actually sustained injury from her boots and was all about giving me a refund. AWESOME! So we talked and talked and I found out the Co. IS MAKING a lower profile boot soon. That proves to me there is a need, plus the fact that EASYBOOT has ratings for how many miles you may put on a Hoof boot for it to be safe for the animals legs, when the boot is so tall like that.

Anywho.....I totally digressed!

As I did ride last week near home..I choose all the softest trails for trotting and even some jumping.

The first day I jumped the mare, she was so excited that she thought to keep cantering ,without permission up the trail..So I had to employ the "Racehorse stop"...firmly placing my left hand on her mane with contact to her mouth and then raising my right hand up, in short bursts of contact while sitting back, till she slowed.

I  also said, "Whoa, easy Wa", several times. The  voice seemed to help, I have not added that before, just the body weight first and rein tactics after. The second and third day we jumped the same log, she was really awesome! She cantered almost in place in excitement, as we slowed after the jump. It was much more controlled and she was listening to me well.

I am happy that I did all this work in the woods..I think it brought on another occuarnce....

As I worked along...I could hear my phone chiming in messages left for me.

I kept on going....tossing and clearing and moving things....making sure one could jump, or walk over the obstacles.

These are "boundary markers"on the sides,  where the trail is rough and too uneven to travel.

There is a large buried stone here...so I made a flat pile of branches, for the horses to step or hop over.

WHEW..I had no idea that I worked for nearly 3 hours!!! It felt good and I can hardly wait to show the mare!!

 It will be very funny to see her reaction to the changes while- we WALK the course- the next time out.

You can see my vest hanging in the tree there on the right....I finally collected it down and got to the messages that were left me before...........AND OH,OH,OH!...............

....Got a call from the Owner of ANSUR Saddlery~

MY NEW SADDLE IS READY= FRIDAY!!!

Here is the TOTALLY FUNNY*** thing that occurred to me.

Many of my readers have children (that's not the funny thing) and some maybe not, like me. BUT- the fact remains the same...we all know someone that has been so ready to POP in childbirth, but somehow had that extra, instinctual- energy to CLEAN HOUSE right before they go into labor!! It cracks me up, it is like clockwork..they clean house, then they have their baby! It has happened to so many of my friends.

SO-

 I heard in my head***

"IF YOU BUILD IT- THEY WILL CALL"...said in the wispy eery, breathy voice from "FIELD OF DREAMS"!

THAT'S IT...all I had to do all along, was get that craving to build jumps and it brought on the saddle!

ALL IN GOOD TIME!