Samstag, 21. Juni 2014

Experiments

Ever since last fall I had to wrap my head around the fact that my dressage saddle stopped fitting Crispin perfectly.

The gullet and overall fit is still fine, only the shape of the panels in the rear doesn't really fit Crispin anymore. His back lifted and got broader, straighter overall (left to right) while the panels remained (of course) more roof-shaped, sloping and pinching him in the back.

When the fitter was here the last time (I think it was last november) we decided to give reflocking one last chance and, if the fit got any worse, he said he could take off the panels and replace them with a different style.

The fit got worse and I decided to give new panels a chance. They had to be ordered and it took about 6 weeks for Sommer to make them and another two for my fitter to fix them to my saddle.

That's experiment No. 1.

The fitting issues with the Sommer were another reason why I invested in the Grandeur and was very happy to have it. Since I wasn't too happy with the fit of  the Sommer I only used it once or twice a week (for trail rides or lessons) and was stuck with the Grandeur (or with not riding at all) the rest of the time.

Two weeks ago I had to send the Sommer to the fitter, to get changed and was stuck with only the Grandeur to ride in. I rode in it about 3-4 x a week (dressage, even lessons but also trail rides).

After two weeks of riding only in the Grandeur, I realized that it had worked wonders for Crispin's back. His back feels more even, softer and it looks like he's ready to muscle-up in all the right spots...

...hmmmm...

While he still gets that one pressure point on his spine from the Grandeur (though, I do seem to be getting better at managing to avoid that too) the Grandeur does seem to benefit him quite a bit. Why not take the chance and make the two weeks in the Grandeur into a 4-6 week brake before going back to using the Sommer again...?!

That's experiment No. 2.

It's horse fly season, so trail rides are not very alluring during the next 6-8 weeks. So why not? See how long I can keep it up...?

I already rode in the Sommer again, once, but only because the fitter brought it back yesterday to fit the new panels to Crispin. I does look good so far. But, I also took the saddle home with me right away, so I won't be tempted to use it for another 2-4 weeks...

...and of course to take pictures.

New panels:

 Old panels:

new:
old: