New Saddle has Passed the Test

April 27, 2017Posted inCountry Frank's Lucky Star, Parelli Saddle, Saddle fit
I bought a used 16 1/2" super wide Parelli Natural Performer via eBay. Last Sunday it passed the Cisco test. Today it passed the Lucky Star test. I tried to cinch it up tight enough so the saddle would stay on Lucky. When I mounted, it tipped a little,letting me know it might not be fully secure. But when I got balanced in the saddle and shifted my weight to each side, it felt secure. Off we went at a nice "trail walk" speed. I could feel those back legs…

Saddle Hell Saga

October 1, 2016Posted inSaddle fit
I was a beginning adult rider in the mid 90's and started out my riding life using my childhood saddle.  My childhood saddle fit my large pony and a narrow Saddlebred horse back in the sixties. After some months of daily riding, horrid silver dollar size white spots developed on Sage's withers.  My saddle was too tight and cut the circulation off at those two spots.  After no blood flow for a while, the horse's hair grows white.  It was a blow as it meant young Sage had experienced pain…

One in Six Saddles Might Have Broken Trees – AKA Death of a Saddle

September 26, 2016Posted inSaddle fit
I love Circle Y Flex tree saddles so much that I have three of them. A couple years ago I managed to let go of the ones I don't use to get them checked and cleaned. However. I couldn't let the one that I use daily leave to get cleaned and checked. I had bought this saddle a long long time ago and it was checked out before I bought it. This summer was a horrid hot and humid one. I stopped riding plus I was going on a week…

Test Results of Shoulder Relief Girth – Failure. NO! Rips The Horse

April 10, 2016Posted inSaddle fit
I have done everything possible to get a saddle to fit my horse. I use a Circle Y Flex Lite saddle. I use both girth rings of the saddle to try to keep the saddle from creeping forward on the horse. I use a very expensive saddle pad, because you get what you pay for in saddle pads. I use a CSI saddle pad. If a pressure point exists, the CSI pad prevents the pressure from hurting the horse. I use a shim to even out the hollow spot behind…