Capping with the hunt on Sunday...which of my saddles to use?

[ArabDiva]

OK so this is kind of a silly question but here goes anyway. I’m capping with my local hunt club this Sunday. So excited–foxhunting is something I’ve wanted to do ever since I got my first horse!

Aaaand I’m obsessing about which tack to use. I will be hilltopping…maybe popping over a few low jumps.

My primary discipline these days is dressage, so I’ve got my very nice dressage saddle and bridle but that’s not exactly proper hunt tack is it?

The alternative is my old AP saddle that I use as a backup and on trail rides (especially mucky/wet/rainy ones). It’s just kind of embarrassing because it’s very old and worn and has a rip in the seat that I sewed up myself.

Which should I go out in?

[SonnysMom]

I personally wouldn’t want to jump in a dressage saddle. I am not really sure that galloping xc in a dressage saddle would be that comfortable for either you or your horse. Dressage saddles don’t really seem that condusive to getting up off your horse’s back.

Can you borrow an AP or CC from somebody?

I hunt with a small unrecognized hunt and one member hunts with a dark colored seat saver. You can barely notice it. I don’t know if you could use one at a bigger hunt or a recognized hunt.

[Hotspur]

I think that a call to the Hunt’s Secretary will dispell any of your concerns about what tack you select. I would think that your hosts are most concerned that you have a safe and enjoyable day on your first hunt, rather than the details of your turn out.

That said, I suggest that you choose the saddle that would be most comfortable for your horse.

[whicker]

Condition your AP and enjoy the day. I’ve hunted and jumped in a dressage saddle when I’ve been desperate. It is hard to do because you aren’t able to shorten your stirrups enough to float above the saddle in balance. No place for your knee to go. You end up behind the motion and thumping on your horse’s back.

Ask the MFH if your hunt allows seat savers. If you explain the why, I think you will get a thoughtful answer. Rappahannock and Old Dominion allow them. I always ask before I hunt with another hunt.

Try to match the color of the sheepskin wool to your saddle color. It isn’t as noticable at a glance. I use to use a sheepskin natural beige saddle pad for my horse and then I matched the seat saver to that. The they blended in together.

[bigbaytb]

I had a friend who insisted to hill top with her dressage saddle…she has one of the deep ones with big wings and a bucket seat. I tried to get her to use a different saddle but she insisted she would be fine.

at the end of the hunt she admitted that I was right. while she spends hours in the saddle riding dressage, she was really sore from hill topping. So I suggest get an all purpose or borrow a saddle, you’ll be much happier in the end.

And most of all HAVE FUN!!

[ArabDiva]

Thanks, all! AP saddle it is

[bigbaytb]

oh…per the rip in the AP. Make up a good story how you met up with a mountian lion on the trail…Foxhunters love a good tall tale…

[whicker]

Story? what story?

We want to see the VERY tall tale about the mountain lion and the bear fighting over your saddle, as your trusty arab whirled and struck them, while calling 911 on his/her fetlock decoder ring. Then he/she had the mounties fly in on attack heliocopters, (or jets?) and parachute to distract the mountain lions, bear, elk and mountain goats. You had to fight off the papparazi, since you are sooo modest. Please elaborate…:D:lol:

[whicker]

Were there massive jewels hidden in the saddle, too? That would explain the bad guys in cahoots with the mountain lions… But, I digress…:winkgrin:

[otterhound1]

I’m a wee bit surprised that your dress code over there is so strict. Have read other posts about field boots being inappropriate etc, and to hear that one would contact the master regarding using a seat-saver makes me realize how lenient we are over here. Some hunt in short boots and chappettes, any type of tall boot is perfectly acceptable, including synthetic. Wintec saddles are common (and practical - easy to dry and clean), some people use synthetic bridles for the same reason. A seat-saver would go completely un-noticed here, as would a rip in the seat of a saddle. Interesting how things differ from place to place. =)

[Flying_Hill]

[QUOTE=otterhound63;5437426]
I’m a wee bit surprised that your dress code over there is so strict. [/QUOTE]

“Over here” it really depends on the region and especially the particular hunt. I have been out with different hunts in various regions and in quite a few the seat saver would not be noticed; one, in fact, had members riding in western saddles (not a lot of jumps there!). While dress boots are preferred, I’ve seen many field boots and leggings as well.

[ArabDiva]

[QUOTE=bigbaytb;5436060]
oh…per the rip in the AP. Make up a good story how you met up with a mountian lion on the trail…Foxhunters love a good tall tale…;)[/QUOTE]

@whicker;5436898

We want to see the VERY tall tale about the mountain lion and the bear fighting over your saddle, as your trusty arab whirled and struck them, while calling 911 on his/her fetlock decoder ring. Then he/she had the mounties fly in on attack heliocopters, (or jets?) and parachute to distract the mountain lions, bear, elk and mountain goats. You had to fight off the papparazi, since you are sooo modest. Please elaborate…:D:lol:

hahahahaha ok, I get it…you foxhunters are a fun-loving group who will not shun me for a rip in my seat, as long as my tack is clean and well-fitted for my dear horsie.

fetlock decoder ring indeed…:lol::lol:

sadly, a large snowstorm is due tomorrow morning, making the roads too nasty for me and my trailer…no hunt for me :no: maybe next week.

[wateryglen]

Hey wait a minute!!

OK hold it now…hold it!!! Did you say you have a rip in your seat???:eek::eek::eek: or your saddle…seat!!! :winkgrin:
Well shoot…my Hunting Princess butt covers all seat irregularities for me…but that’s just me of course. Get a black seat saver and carry on…maybe your anatomy will cover that too!!
But don’t the stiches…hurt!!!
but I digress…
Just go, have fun and report back.

[nickers1]

Once you are covered in mud, no one will notice the rip in your seat. :yes:

[whicker]

Wateryglen,
That’s why she NEEDS the sheepskin with all that fleece!