So pretty!
My first ride in it was a total disaster to say the least. He was totally frantic. I couldn't get him to halt much less walk or get anything productive done. I panicked and promptly sent a very panicked message to the saddle fitter. She told me to breathe and that she couldn't do anything until she came down to evaluate it. I tried it again in a lesson with S and it was slightly better, it was still ugly.
I made the decision that I wasn't riding him in it again until the saddle fitter was here. It still needed time put in on it to get the flocking to settle, so Pongo got volunteered to break in the saddle. Pongo went well in it, so I rode him in it to get the flocking to settle.
Pongo Doesn't Care
The saddle fitter was down this weekend and I tried Stinker in it again. I was honestly expecting the worst, and Stinker was remarkably better. It wasn't perfect, but he was willing to walk. He doesn't offer the stretch and lacks a half halt in the trot, but it wasn't a total disaster.
Here is my dilemma, I can still return the saddle and just be out the shipping charges (not a big deal) or I can keep the saddle and hope he continues to improve in it. Because I am me, I have made a pro con list of keeping or returning the saddle.
Who Doesn't Love Post Bath Alfalfa?
Reasons to keep the saddle:
- His current dislike is most likely a training thing (the more forward position and shorter stirrup vs the straighter position and longer leg)
- I will have a jump saddle that fits Stinker
- I love the saddle and it puts me in a fantastic position
- I can continue to use the jump saddle on Pongo (I have an older Stubben that fits him and works for me)
- It is already paid for.
Reasons to return the saddle:
- I don't know when/if Stinker will be physically strong enough to jump
- I don't know if Stinker will be fun to jump (I like jumping Pongo, but I also know my enjoyment of jumping will be very horse dependent. I am very aware of my mortality and have no desire to have a major accident by trying to jump something that is outside of my skill set.)
- If we get to the point where we can start jumping, I can always purchase the saddle again. S has the same saddle, so I can borrow that one in the beginning.
- It is a very expensive chunk of leather to have sitting around without the guarantee of ever using it.
So any input on the keep vs. return would be appreciated.
To Keep Or To Go?
So it doesn't fit the horse you want it for who may or may not end up being a jumper? I'd return it now, ride in what works for you, borrow the trainer's saddle as he comes back, and then if he decides he wants to jump and you decide you want to jump him, re-order at that point.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, you're running a very real risk of sticking yourself with a expensive resale.
It's a lovely saddle though. :-) You'll still have your excellent taste later.
It does fit him. But yes he may or may not be a jumper...
DeleteIt is sooo pretty and that is a very good point.
Picture of it sitting on him? Cause to be honest, I didn't like how it sat on him in the pic you posted a while back of the demo saddle.
ReplyDeleteI'd probably return it and stash the cash for later. Since you can reorder it, and you don't really plan on using it for a while, I'd send it back and order it again later when Stinker is ready to jump.
I do love the forward flap though, my own jump saddle is like that.
DeleteI'm a terrible blogger and don't have any pictures of it on him. That is the only picture I have of it period...
DeleteI will say this has larger rear panels (I think 1.5" higher) than the demo. It has a nice balance instead of being pommel high.
Oh! That's great then. That was my biggest concern about the demo one.
DeleteOh! That's great then. That was my biggest concern about the demo one.
Deleteoh so pretty :( sadly, as someone who has returned an awful lot of (trial) saddles for just the cost of shipping, my gut instinct would be to return it. i already bought one saddle that ended up not really being the best fit and have been kicking myself ever since. next time i buy a saddle it will be perfect for exactly my current horse and current needs...
ReplyDeleteThe current needs is a downer...part of me is optimistic and says we will get there but the other part questions if it will be fair of me to ever ask that of him.
Delete