Various little things (plus pictures of the seemingly unfittable back)

Finally!!! No, no new saddle yet, but I finally finished my Master Thesis! *yay* Of course there are two more oral exams to come before graduating, but the thesis was the biggest piece of work.

That is basically why I haven't written anything on here for a while.

Nothing too exciting has been going on. I finally had a chiro out for Cripin and am (for now) forbidden to ride him (now that I have the time and a substitute saddle). *sigh*

I actually wanted to get the chiro out once I had a saddle (sort of like a second oppinion) but since finding one is taking so long (and also because Crispin slipped and fell in the turnout a few weeks back) I decided to let him be checked.

Turns out he's been very tense in the back especially in the loin area. The only visible symptom I've ever noticed was a tendency of his to rest his one of his hind legs as soon as he's got the chance. He's always done that.

Well, he got treated and it really made a difference. After the treatment the muscle in the area came up for about a centimeter and he's stopped resting his legs so much ever since. The chiro told me not to ride him until his back got better and instead try to work him long and low on the longe. She'll be back in two weeks to treat him again (four weeks between the treatments).

To me it looks like the change has been pretty much permanent. I really hope he's good enough to be ridden again after the second treatment, because I'd really like to ride him a little more plus he really needs more work and more stuff to keep his mind busy too. He tends to get bored and that results in him pestering his pasture buddies a lot!

Since I have a little more time now to dive into the saddle search once again, I took some new pictures of his back.

Whenever I do that I really don't see why it is so difficult to find him a saddle. Yes, he's short (and I have a big butt). Yes, he's wide and yes he's got a round barrel. But all things considered, he is not that short, my butt is not that big and he's not that wide and round!

It was a little difficult to get decent shots. Most of them looked like this:

He's been at the new barn for three months now an I think he's settled in nicely. I did make a few modifications to his stall. The haynet had to be moved a little and I added a second stallmat too.

(Of course an Offenstall would still be better, but it's good for now. We'll see what the future brings)

Less might not always be more, but at least it's something...

Don't laugh, but in my exasperation I got Crispin this:

Any idea what it is?! Is it a saddle?! No, not really. Is it a treeless saddle?! No, not really either. It's a bareback pad!!! One that not only made it through high school but also earned it's degree at university. But still, it is just a bareback pad.

It is called a "Sheepskin Saddle" (this one is a "Iberica Plus", hence the spanish look). Sheepskin on the bottom, sheepskin on the top, two seperate foam pannels in between (to allow for some spine clearence) rings to put on stirrups and two foam rolls to give the rider some support.

It seems to be all the hype right now and I decided to give it a try. Of course I'm still looking for a  "real" saddle, but it's not going to happen anytime soon. Even if I would find one today it would most likely take another 8-12 weeks to be made. I decided that Crispin needs to be ridden, not all that much or often, but on a regular basis, and that is where this pad comes in.

I already sat in it twice, rode Crispin walk/trot and so far so good. I don't plan on using it more than 2-3 times a week, depending how well it works out for both of us.

Few more pictures of the thing:

Another Saddle, another Saddlefitter

Even though I tried not to get my hopes up it happend anyway and of course I ended up being a little disappointed.

The saddlefitter was a very nice girl. She seemed knowledgeable enough but somehow they all seem to be trained to not commit to a saddle too much.

She brought a fair number of saddles and put on a few. Mostly saddles I've tried before but also a few I always wanted to try (like a Passier Grand Gilbert, which was way too long for Crispin). The saddle I was most curious about was the "Sommer Passion" (stupid name). I've read a lot of good stuff about Sommer saddles. Good quality, nice to sit, very good to change (gullet and flocking) decent price (by no means cheap).

Sommer "Passion" 17,5 seat, 31,5 gullet;

We put the Sommer on an it didn't look too bad. I rode and it felt really nice. Only problem: the rear pannels seem to come up a little when there is no weight in the saddle (i.e. when I posted the trot) or when Crispin was streching (with me on the ground).

The fitter said that this wasn't too bad, not ideal of course but she also said  that Chrispin had no muscles there yet and where the saddle could rest on. I'm so not sure about that (not about the lack of muscles, he has none) but the rest of it.

She left the saddle and I can try it out for a few days. Check it on the lunge and maybe find someone to video me. I definitely need to think about it a litttel longer. *sigh*

Next please...

One advantage of moving to a new place is that it also means meeting new people and new people know new saddle fitters.

On thursday another fitter is coming out. They have a very nice homepage and the girl on the phone seemed like she knew what she was doing. She seemed to have some options for us but I don't want to jinx anything so I won't say any more until then. I just wanted to tell you, I haven't given up just yet. ;-D

What a surprise! *not*

Well, after the Prestige saddle finally arrived (and the saddle fitter had the time to actually come out) last thursday, it's already history.

It wasn't too bad, but the shape of the tree just wasn't quite the right fit. The worst part was the fitter. Not the same guy who came out the first time, this time it was the shop owner himself. And what an a** he was!

He slapped on the saddle, basically didn't talk to me at all, watched me ride without saying anything, grabbed the saddle afterward and told me, with a little more stuffing in the back the saddle would probably fit, but that I had to agree to buy the saddle before he could make any changes. Then he left, taking the saddle.

I didn't even got a chance to really check the fit myself or to take pictures. If he would have been a little nicer I might have considered the saddle, but this way. No, thanks. I pass.

So, once again I'm back at square one. *yay*

Wait a little longer

Six weeks ago I ordered the saddle. They said It would take 5-6 weeks. I called today. No saddel yet and it will probably take another 10 days (which will make it 7-8 weeks NOT 5-6). *sigh*

I can't say I'm surprised but I am, however, disappointed. 

Look what I found!!!

Well, ok. I didn't find it all by myself. My neighbours husband tipped me off. But look at this beautiful saddle pad embroided with the welsh dragon!!!

I need another saddle pad as much as I need a second belly button but I couldn't resist this one, isn't it just lovely?!

It seems like Crispin is adjusting just fine to his new home and the new routines. He does have more energy now that he spends his nights in a stall but so far all is good. I lunged or free lunged him every day (except monday and tuesday when it was just way too hot) and he is starting to get used to the new indoor and outdoor rings.

Some people at the new barn already told me that he looks a little like a welsh pony, or a welsh cob cross. Well, thank you! ;-)

Also, the saddle I've been waiting for should be here by next week. I just hope Crispin will be ready and calm enough to be ridden by then, so that I can actually try it.