After a Year +, I'm back in the Saddle

[ChocoMare]

Yup, 14 months of not being able to ride due to no saddle that fit My Clyde-X is such a fit-challenged mare. Short coupled/backed and scoopy. Everything bridged horribly on her and she made it clear how uncomfortable she was.

I finally listened to COTHers and found a saddle fitter. Thank God for her because I’m now the proud owner of a new County Perfection dressage saddle. Ohhhhhh my… saddle nirvana! :tickled_pink:

I got it last Thursday and rode in a dressage clinic the very next morning! No break in needed with that baby… like butter!

Changing from hunt seat to dressage is something I never thought I’d ever do, but at 47 I don’t think I want to go “over” things anymore… at least not voluntarily :lol:

It was a joy to be back on the Silver Comet Trail this past Monday for a good hour long power walk.

I really enjoyed the clinic tho. So much so I signed up for another one by the same instructor on the 16th and then a trail ride with a dear friend who lives nearby.

Have plans to get back with my Ride N Lunch ladies (spotnnotfarm is one of 'em) and hauling out to other Georgia parks

[oliverreed]

That’s wonderful!!! Congrats!

[psb]

Fourteen months with no saddle…very depressing.
Congrats on the new one, have a great time!!!

[candyappy]

After 14 months off your horse is still going strong? She sounds like a real keeper! I have been in your saddle fitting shoes myself, so I can relate.

[ChocoMare]

Yeah, she’s not fit, of course, but then neither am I :lol: But she’s the type that can sit & loaf for all that time and come right back under saddle as if it were yesterday.

She held up great at the clinic, albeit pooped (as was I) by the end of the 45-minute lesson. I’m hoping to ride at least 3 - 4 times a week until the next clinic and be a bit more fit.

This is us the day I tried out the Demo model. Was all I could do not to trot off down the trail!

[candyappy]

She is a sturdy built / shorter backed girl for sure. I can see that saddle fitting could be a problem. What breeding is she? It is amazing what a difference the right saddle makes for them and us!!

[ChocoMare]

Clydesdale / Standardbred. Built like a Clyde (obviously) but moves like a Standardbred. She has a trot on her like you wouldn’t believe.

Due to being out of work so long, she gotz herself a belly, but believe me: it’s going! And when it does, her back will come back up. We’re working on low/steady hills and doing lotsa tummy lifts.