The new Barn

Yesterday was the last day the Offenstall existed, the new stalls were finished last week and ready for the horses to move in. That meant it was time for us to move on.

During the last two weeks I've worked with Crispin on loading and yesterday he went into the trailer fine. The trip was short and uneventful. Nacho, Fly and Jarl, his old buddies from the Offenstall seemed to remember him (and he them) but he still was very excited and nervous when he first got off the trailer.

I put him in his new stall and he calmed down quickly. The two horses next to him, a little mare and Jarl were very unfriendly at first but Crispin didn't seem to mind too much. He liked the stall well enough but later, when I left he tried to come with me. Like: "Ok, this was alright, can we go home now?"

Today he went out with his new (or partly new) herd the first time, which was pretty uneventful. It was clear that he still knew Nacho and Fly and remembered that they were dominant, so he was cautious around them. There were two new horses he will be turned out with. Both were friendly and the introduction went smoothly. Only Jarl is still a little unfriendly. I think it is because in the past Crispin was the dominant one of the two (and will be again I think once he's settled in at the new place) and Jarl doesn't like that idea.

This is him in is his new stall. He still seems a little confused and not convinced that this is going to be permanent but he'll learn soon enough.

To make then transition from 24 hour turnout to a box stall a little easier for him I got him a big hay net to keep him busy.

...going treeless...

Not something I've ever expected me to do (or something I'd consider longterm) but it seems like a good idea for now: I went treeless with Crispin.

A friend at the barn has a horse that has a very short and curvy back and after trying many saddles she decided to go treeless with this horse. She bought a "Torsion" treeless saddle and is still very happy with this choice today (the horse in question has some health issues and is only ridden very lightly). She offered to let me borrow her saddle now and then.

About a month ago I signed up to ride with a trainer that only comes in once a month. I'd hoped I'd have a saddle by now, but that obviously was wishful thinking. So, what to do now? Ride with the slightly pinching, slightly too long jumping saddle or don't ride at all? For one thing, I really don't want to use (and have not used for a long time) the jumping saddle. On the other hand, I really, really, really want to take this lesson on monday.

I decided to give the treeless saddle a chance. It fits Crispin (well, basically it's a bareback pad with stirrups, so why shouldn't it) it doesn't pinch, it doesn't slip, it's comfortable to sit. I've ridden in it twice so far and Crispin seemed happy with it. Of course I will eat dirt if he decides to act up because there is nothing on the saddle to help me help hold on, and there is also nothing on this saddle to keep the pressure off Crispins vertebrae (the main issues I have with treeless saddles) but I'm also sure that I will immensley enjoy the lesson on monday in this saddle.

I keep you posted...