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Post by carolinec on Jul 3, 2011 19:50:13 GMT -1
After numerous 2nd hand saddles which slipped round (and going out of the side door on the last Fun ride), I decided to invest in a new made-to-measure saddle for Pip. The saddle is made by Heritage Saddlers in Stockport and they came out and measured Pip prior to making it. It is a VSD saddle with a nice wide tree. The skirt and flaps are in Buffalo leather with the knee pads & seat in cow-hide. I had my first ride in it this morning and despite Pip putting in a big buck due to being bitten on the bum by a horse-fly it stayed put and he seemed to go well in it. My only problem is that I can feel my stirrup leather buckles quite badly so I'm buying webbers to replace my stirrup leathers. So far, I'm very pleased with it and it seems very well made. The point & balance straps seem to help greatly with stability and I've been told to use a girth that doesn't have any elastic at all. I'm therefore using a Humane girth.     |
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Post by olivia on Jul 3, 2011 19:51:43 GMT -1
VERY lovely saddle Caroline. I hope you and Pip have MANY MANY happy hours together using it  |
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Post by valerie n scout on Jul 3, 2011 20:39:26 GMT -1
thats a lovely saddle, on an even lovelier Dales pony XXX
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Post by harveydales on Jul 4, 2011 5:08:41 GMT -1
Very nice! When is your next Pleasure Ride?
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Post by carolinec on Jul 4, 2011 10:51:05 GMT -1
I'm "possibly" doing a GB Endurance ride (just the shorter 10 mile ride) at Halkyn this Sunday but apparently it might be cancelled due to low numbers which is a real shame.
The next ride I can get to is 7th August as the one on 24th July clashes with Gill's BBQ.
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Post by tinkerdorisalison on Jul 4, 2011 16:52:28 GMT -1
Lovely saddle and Pip looks in good nick ;D
think I have a pair of dressage leathers I never use somewhere - if I can find them I'll measure them,
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Post by cutemangurdi1 on Jul 4, 2011 17:59:58 GMT -1
It looks a lovely saddle, Caroline.
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Post by harry11 on Jul 5, 2011 11:14:20 GMT -1
my dream saddle. Happy riding.
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Post by Debbie on Jul 5, 2011 11:30:31 GMT -1
Mmmmmmm.... that new leather smell ^^ and buffalo, that should last you and Pip a lifetime and beyond. Very durable stuffs. Wow, talk about a real test right from the start. I'm so glad the saddle stayed put as it should  Fascinating arrangement with the girthing. It looks very similar to the arrangements I've seen on our old McClellan/calvary saddles. |
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Post by carolinec on Jul 5, 2011 17:29:20 GMT -1
It's my "once in life-time" saddle too!
Pip is a special pony so I've made the investment and I'm so far very pleased with it.
It feels very secure and Pip seems to like it so I'm very happy. I'm doing a 10 mile Pleasure ride this Sunday so I'll report in afterwards ;D
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Post by knight on Jul 5, 2011 19:21:07 GMT -1
Looks lovely Caroline, both your new saddle and the ever so handsome Pip. Love the buffalo leather!! I know what you mean about feeling the stirrup leather buckles, I just use webbers now too. Hope you & Pip have a great ride this Sunday
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Post by zeldalithgow on Jul 12, 2011 19:41:59 GMT -1
It's very smart Caroline, hope it's as comfy as it looks
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Post by Fi on Jul 12, 2011 20:30:06 GMT -1
very nice looking saddle. Well worth the investment I think in getting a saddle that fits (both of you) properly, can save a lot of issues down the line.
Pip looks like he could quite take to modelling!
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Post by carolinec on Jul 13, 2011 10:48:06 GMT -1
So far, the saddle seems to be proving comfortable for both of us and "touch wood" it hasn't slipped at all.It got completely drenched by rain last weekend when I attempted a 10 mile fun ride but had to turn back after 4 due to torrential rain (for an hour & a half!). It doesn't seem any worse for wear though & I also had a riding lesson where it stayed put. Very pleased with the workmanship and the leather is just geogeous |
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Post by jaycee on Jul 13, 2011 15:56:04 GMT -1
Your new saddle looks super, Pip looks so handsome I have a wintec for Jaycee at the moment but one day would like to have a leather one. What bad luck to have such awful weather for your ride especially with a new saddle getting wet. I have only had the misfortune to do one pleasure ride in the rain and it was not much fun  |
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