Post by Debbie on Sept 1, 2006 14:12:25 GMT -1
Its taken me a bit to get these pics done, but I did want to give a warning for anybody with the Cashel soft saddle. I bought one when I got Lady Bear and I checked it over, everything was nice and tight, the foam, the rivets and the cinches...all looked good.
I rode Lady Bear over the next month and didn't have problems with the saddle. In fact it stuck like a limpet and was fairly comfortable to ride in. About the only thing I didn't like about it was it would sometimes drift back with her long strides. But I was impressed with how well she could stride in the front because the western saddle that I'd tried her in was pinching her in the shoulders, making her crab, especially when she tried to gait. Because of the soft saddle and some shiatsu, her shoulders changed shape drastically.
However, I did notice on two rides that the left saddle flap had wrinkled under my leg. Not enough to actually stop and take a look, I just thought the soft flap had stuck to my thigh. So this last ride, I got on, stopped Lady Bear (who'd had plans on eating), and went to readjust the saddle flap....the whole saddle spun to the right, dumping me on the floor
Embarrassing to say the least. I kicked my feet clear just in time because Lady Bear decided something had ahold of her tummy. She did a bronco display for about a minute before deciding it was too much work, and she ought to graze.
I got the saddle off, and tried to work with her bareback. She spooked, and I hit the ground again. Decided I'd give the saddle a try. She spooked, and again the saddle slid, this time it turned left. Got her resaddled again, and made sure the cinch was tight. She spooked the last time, and yup, the saddle slipped once more and dumped me.
Past this point, I put her back into a rope halter, and we just did some leading in hand and I called it a bad day. It was later that I looked underneath and saw this.
At first I thought it was damage done from the bucking, but I remembered seeing the wrinkles in the top of the foam prior to my riding...in fact I think that was an indication that the foam was separating.
A closeup
If you look at the offside, you can see what its supposed to look like... no wrinkles
And the cinch is nice and tight
Also important is the rivets. Can you see in the picture of the nearside cinch, the back rivet is gone? That didn't happen when Lady Bear bucked. It had actually happened before this ride. I remembered seeing a bit of plastic on the ground where I saddle and groom her. I didn't think much of it because the people before us had kids at this house, and we find bits and pieces of plastic toys all the time. But in fact, that plastic rivet had popped apart. In fact, the ride before this, I was probably riding in that stirrup without the rivet as well.
I wanted anyone with one of these saddles to be sure to double check for wrinkles, and especially the rivets, as they hold not only the stirrups, but the cinch as well. Yes, it was ENTIRELY my own fault for not checking my equipment thoroughly each and every time before I ride. However, I have contacted the company to let them know this has happened because I feel they need to look at the rivets and foam construction. In their infinite corporate wisdom, they've refused to contact me (probably for fear of a lawsuit), but I do hope they'll take on board the information and improve their future saddles.
This was a secondhand saddle, meaning the gal I bought Lady Bear from was the original purchaser, however, I also know that saddle was extremely well cared for at her place, and again at mine. When purchased, it was in good condition, and was properly cared for here.... which is why I was surprised at the construction falling apart.
Sorry to be longwinded, but if my warning can save someone else a fall, it'll be worth it
I rode Lady Bear over the next month and didn't have problems with the saddle. In fact it stuck like a limpet and was fairly comfortable to ride in. About the only thing I didn't like about it was it would sometimes drift back with her long strides. But I was impressed with how well she could stride in the front because the western saddle that I'd tried her in was pinching her in the shoulders, making her crab, especially when she tried to gait. Because of the soft saddle and some shiatsu, her shoulders changed shape drastically.
However, I did notice on two rides that the left saddle flap had wrinkled under my leg. Not enough to actually stop and take a look, I just thought the soft flap had stuck to my thigh. So this last ride, I got on, stopped Lady Bear (who'd had plans on eating), and went to readjust the saddle flap....the whole saddle spun to the right, dumping me on the floor
Embarrassing to say the least. I kicked my feet clear just in time because Lady Bear decided something had ahold of her tummy. She did a bronco display for about a minute before deciding it was too much work, and she ought to graze. I got the saddle off, and tried to work with her bareback. She spooked, and I hit the ground again. Decided I'd give the saddle a try. She spooked, and again the saddle slid, this time it turned left. Got her resaddled again, and made sure the cinch was tight. She spooked the last time, and yup, the saddle slipped once more and dumped me.
Past this point, I put her back into a rope halter, and we just did some leading in hand and I called it a bad day. It was later that I looked underneath and saw this.
At first I thought it was damage done from the bucking, but I remembered seeing the wrinkles in the top of the foam prior to my riding...in fact I think that was an indication that the foam was separating.
A closeup
If you look at the offside, you can see what its supposed to look like... no wrinkles
And the cinch is nice and tight
Also important is the rivets. Can you see in the picture of the nearside cinch, the back rivet is gone? That didn't happen when Lady Bear bucked. It had actually happened before this ride. I remembered seeing a bit of plastic on the ground where I saddle and groom her. I didn't think much of it because the people before us had kids at this house, and we find bits and pieces of plastic toys all the time. But in fact, that plastic rivet had popped apart. In fact, the ride before this, I was probably riding in that stirrup without the rivet as well.
I wanted anyone with one of these saddles to be sure to double check for wrinkles, and especially the rivets, as they hold not only the stirrups, but the cinch as well. Yes, it was ENTIRELY my own fault for not checking my equipment thoroughly each and every time before I ride. However, I have contacted the company to let them know this has happened because I feel they need to look at the rivets and foam construction. In their infinite corporate wisdom, they've refused to contact me (probably for fear of a lawsuit), but I do hope they'll take on board the information and improve their future saddles.
This was a secondhand saddle, meaning the gal I bought Lady Bear from was the original purchaser, however, I also know that saddle was extremely well cared for at her place, and again at mine. When purchased, it was in good condition, and was properly cared for here.... which is why I was surprised at the construction falling apart.
Sorry to be longwinded, but if my warning can save someone else a fall, it'll be worth it
