Goose Gets A Saddle
Goose and I have actually been working quite a bit this spring, much to my surprise. As I groomed him the other day I was like, oh hey there butt muscle, been awhile since I've seen you! Though he's still a tank, he's actually lost a bit of weight and put on some muscle and I'm happy with how he's looking these days.
Our rides have been up and down. Sometimes I love him and he's the best horse in the world, other days I have to stop myself from getting off and chasing him down the road while shouting at him.
GOOSE YOU ARE 15 YEARS OLD! GROW UP AND SHOW UP TO WORK YOU ADULT LOSER WITH NO CAREER AND NO AMBITIONS!
I think if Goose were a human he'd be a 40 year old man with his mom still doing his laundry while he sips beers on the couch in his Cheeto-stained whitey tighties, his beer gut hanging out and KFC bucket on his lap. I, however, would not be the mom to allow that to happen. I'm the one chasing him with a whip telling him to get his life together.
Since I've known him, Goose avoids work like the plague. Sometimes it's hard to discern if he's just being an asshole or if he's a little sore and maybe needs some maintenance. It's just who he is, and I attribute a large part of that to the fact that he wasn't started until he was 8 and did not develop a work ethic in his younger years. Now at age 15, it's not the worst idea to have him evaluated for injections, however due to his melanoma vaccines, that's not in the picture right now since he feels really good once we're warmed up (he starts slow and ever so slightly stiff, like a lot of big horses). I'm considering a few other options but for now he's been okay without anything so I'll keep watching him closely and make sure he's not overworked (like that would ever happen). I also want to get back into some lessons to work on myself. That being said, after a long winter off, a choke, and a few years without replacing any tack or equipment, it was high time I got my gear in order.
Considering his turd-like tendencies, I figured it'd be a good plan to make sure the oaf is feeling okay. The chiro usually finds him locked in his poll and shoulder, however this time the only thing she found were some right side tension towards his hind end, which made sense since he'd been beat up by a field mate and kicked on his right side the week prior. I always think it's so cool how chiro finds things like that without knowing that he'd been kicked and had been off, and the appointment came at a perfect time considering the resulting soreness from the beating he took. (Note: He still loves the mare who did NOT love him. Said mare is not his previous love, Hannah, but yet another love. Also he has a new girlfriend, Gracie, who he lives with now and they are cohabitating nicely. Ah, young love).
Another thing I did for Goose was have the saddle fitter out. I still had my Pessoa Legacy from when I was a teenager, and that saddle owed me nothing. Countless hours were spent with my butt in that thing, but unfortunately I knew it didn't fit Goose great and if I want to be a Pretend Eventer I need something that works for both of us. My other saddle is the Bates Isabell I bought when I worked for Weatherbeeta (when they still distributed Bates). This was the saddle I was hoping would keep working for Goose and I could just set myself a budget for a new jump.
I had out our local Stubben rep, K. The trainer at my barn is sponsored by Stubben, and everyone sits in a Stubben around here. While I don't typically like subscribing to one saddle brand, I'd sat in a few recently that I really liked and K would also work with any saddles I currently had so instead of finding an independent fitter, I went with her. Might as well drink the kool-aid.
K was awesome and I'm happy I ended up going with her for fitting. I didn't even bother putting the Pessoa on him, and another girl who trailered her horse in for a fitting actually ended up buying it from me for her pony. I miss the saddle already but I'm glad it has a nice home and I was able to sell it so quickly. We put the Bates on Goose, and much to my chagrin it did not work at all. While the tree was fine, it sat very uphill on him and was not well balanced. Also, it didn't fit me very well (which I knew but was willing to ignore) so rather than dumping money into a saddle that will never quite work, my Bates Isabell is also posted for sale. Anyone want to make an offer? It's a really nice saddle, just doesn't work for me or Goose I'm afraid.
As life works, I started the day with two saddles and ended with none. Worse still, there is no way I can afford to replace both right now, the sale of both will barely cover the cost of one with the prices these days (and my expensive taste) so woe is me. I sat in a whole bunch of new Stubben saddles and was not disappointed. While I struggled with the eventing flaps on the Portos and Roxane (thanks, HJ life), that's along the lines of what I need and the Roxane is what felt the best to me. I also sat in a few dressage saddles but as mentioned, I can only replace one right now. We talked about ordering a new saddle, and while I wish I could afford to order the new Roxane with the lovely grippy leather (same as CWD!) and stunning rich color, I don't have $4k to drop on that right now so I was looking used. Because I am nothing if not obsessive, within a week I had a used Roxane shipped to my house, and bought it a few days later (thank you kind seller who allowed me a five day trial!). It's not my dream saddle but it's in amazing condition and is comfortable enough - I'm slowly getting used to the more forward flap and deep seat.
The new saddle fits the Goober really well. Believe it or not, Goose is only a 29-30 cm tree, and the one I bought is a 29 cm. It still sits uphill on him, but my fitter was confident she'll be able to order new panels to make it fit him better. He's a little tricky since he has a decent wither and isn't overly wide, but is built quite uphill with a broad back. Not bad problems to have, I'd say.
In the meantime, obviously I needed a few new things to go with my new saddle. It's been quite a few years since I bought anything new for Goose or me, and it's high time I replaced a few things especially considering my biggest new tack purchase.
Since I can't afford to sink another few hundred dollars into my saddle right now to fit it properly, I ordered a new Mattes shim pad and am in love. I have three shims in each side of the back pockets, and it is keeping my saddle pretty much level and staying right where I need it to. These are expensive, but The Tack Room was having a Memorial Day sale and I got it for a steal!
What's a new saddle without new stirrup leathers? After reading rave reviews about the Total Saddle Fit Stability stirrup leathers, I found another Memorial Day sale on Riding Warehouse and snagged a pair. They're backordered until mid-June, but I can't wait to get them! Along with the TSF leathers, I bought myself a TSF girth as well. After hemming and hawing over leather or synthetic, I decided that wash and wear is where it's at and ordered the synthetic version in a size *cough* 56". With my Pessoa, Goose wore a 52" but the billets on that saddle were really long. On the Stubben, they're very short and even the 56" takes a second to get on first try since Mr. Beer Gut bloats. To top off my big Riding Warehouse sale purchase, I grabbed a pair of my favorite Roeckl gloves in navy blue.
My inner Tack Ho went crazy and I don't hate it. Boy did it feel good to buy a whole bunch of stuff I actually needed. Yikes does my wallet have to recover. Not only did I invest in a whole lot of tack, I also purchased a few more pieces of furniture for the condo, so I'm CUT OFF until further notice. Savings? What are those?
That being said, what are your favorite stirrups? I have the bendy kind and don't hate them, but am open to new options. Bonus points for anything that takes pressure off the knee! Also, what's your favorite affordable bridle? His jumping bridle has seen better days and that's high up on my list to replace soon.
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| We're struggling with keeping our head in any semblance of DOWN. I'm also struggling to not flail my hands around like a crazy person, so ya know, work in progress. |
Our rides have been up and down. Sometimes I love him and he's the best horse in the world, other days I have to stop myself from getting off and chasing him down the road while shouting at him.
GOOSE YOU ARE 15 YEARS OLD! GROW UP AND SHOW UP TO WORK YOU ADULT LOSER WITH NO CAREER AND NO AMBITIONS!
I think if Goose were a human he'd be a 40 year old man with his mom still doing his laundry while he sips beers on the couch in his Cheeto-stained whitey tighties, his beer gut hanging out and KFC bucket on his lap. I, however, would not be the mom to allow that to happen. I'm the one chasing him with a whip telling him to get his life together.
Since I've known him, Goose avoids work like the plague. Sometimes it's hard to discern if he's just being an asshole or if he's a little sore and maybe needs some maintenance. It's just who he is, and I attribute a large part of that to the fact that he wasn't started until he was 8 and did not develop a work ethic in his younger years. Now at age 15, it's not the worst idea to have him evaluated for injections, however due to his melanoma vaccines, that's not in the picture right now since he feels really good once we're warmed up (he starts slow and ever so slightly stiff, like a lot of big horses). I'm considering a few other options but for now he's been okay without anything so I'll keep watching him closely and make sure he's not overworked (like that would ever happen). I also want to get back into some lessons to work on myself. That being said, after a long winter off, a choke, and a few years without replacing any tack or equipment, it was high time I got my gear in order.
Considering his turd-like tendencies, I figured it'd be a good plan to make sure the oaf is feeling okay. The chiro usually finds him locked in his poll and shoulder, however this time the only thing she found were some right side tension towards his hind end, which made sense since he'd been beat up by a field mate and kicked on his right side the week prior. I always think it's so cool how chiro finds things like that without knowing that he'd been kicked and had been off, and the appointment came at a perfect time considering the resulting soreness from the beating he took. (Note: He still loves the mare who did NOT love him. Said mare is not his previous love, Hannah, but yet another love. Also he has a new girlfriend, Gracie, who he lives with now and they are cohabitating nicely. Ah, young love).
Another thing I did for Goose was have the saddle fitter out. I still had my Pessoa Legacy from when I was a teenager, and that saddle owed me nothing. Countless hours were spent with my butt in that thing, but unfortunately I knew it didn't fit Goose great and if I want to be a Pretend Eventer I need something that works for both of us. My other saddle is the Bates Isabell I bought when I worked for Weatherbeeta (when they still distributed Bates). This was the saddle I was hoping would keep working for Goose and I could just set myself a budget for a new jump.
I had out our local Stubben rep, K. The trainer at my barn is sponsored by Stubben, and everyone sits in a Stubben around here. While I don't typically like subscribing to one saddle brand, I'd sat in a few recently that I really liked and K would also work with any saddles I currently had so instead of finding an independent fitter, I went with her. Might as well drink the kool-aid.
K was awesome and I'm happy I ended up going with her for fitting. I didn't even bother putting the Pessoa on him, and another girl who trailered her horse in for a fitting actually ended up buying it from me for her pony. I miss the saddle already but I'm glad it has a nice home and I was able to sell it so quickly. We put the Bates on Goose, and much to my chagrin it did not work at all. While the tree was fine, it sat very uphill on him and was not well balanced. Also, it didn't fit me very well (which I knew but was willing to ignore) so rather than dumping money into a saddle that will never quite work, my Bates Isabell is also posted for sale. Anyone want to make an offer? It's a really nice saddle, just doesn't work for me or Goose I'm afraid.
 |
| For sale! 17.5" Bates Isabell with adjustable stirrup bar, easy change gullet system, intact CAIR panels just checked by my fitter. Will sell with cover, Bates leathers, M and MW gullet. Billets in excellent condition, saddle only used three years and is in perfect used condition. Priced at $1800 but very willing to negotiate, make an offer! |
As life works, I started the day with two saddles and ended with none. Worse still, there is no way I can afford to replace both right now, the sale of both will barely cover the cost of one with the prices these days (and my expensive taste) so woe is me. I sat in a whole bunch of new Stubben saddles and was not disappointed. While I struggled with the eventing flaps on the Portos and Roxane (thanks, HJ life), that's along the lines of what I need and the Roxane is what felt the best to me. I also sat in a few dressage saddles but as mentioned, I can only replace one right now. We talked about ordering a new saddle, and while I wish I could afford to order the new Roxane with the lovely grippy leather (same as CWD!) and stunning rich color, I don't have $4k to drop on that right now so I was looking used. Because I am nothing if not obsessive, within a week I had a used Roxane shipped to my house, and bought it a few days later (thank you kind seller who allowed me a five day trial!). It's not my dream saddle but it's in amazing condition and is comfortable enough - I'm slowly getting used to the more forward flap and deep seat.
 |
| The saddle from its sale ad. Actually bought it from another Stubben rep K knows. |
The new saddle fits the Goober really well. Believe it or not, Goose is only a 29-30 cm tree, and the one I bought is a 29 cm. It still sits uphill on him, but my fitter was confident she'll be able to order new panels to make it fit him better. He's a little tricky since he has a decent wither and isn't overly wide, but is built quite uphill with a broad back. Not bad problems to have, I'd say.
In the meantime, obviously I needed a few new things to go with my new saddle. It's been quite a few years since I bought anything new for Goose or me, and it's high time I replaced a few things especially considering my biggest new tack purchase.
Since I can't afford to sink another few hundred dollars into my saddle right now to fit it properly, I ordered a new Mattes shim pad and am in love. I have three shims in each side of the back pockets, and it is keeping my saddle pretty much level and staying right where I need it to. These are expensive, but The Tack Room was having a Memorial Day sale and I got it for a steal!
 |
| Picture from The Tack Room Online |
What's a new saddle without new stirrup leathers? After reading rave reviews about the Total Saddle Fit Stability stirrup leathers, I found another Memorial Day sale on Riding Warehouse and snagged a pair. They're backordered until mid-June, but I can't wait to get them! Along with the TSF leathers, I bought myself a TSF girth as well. After hemming and hawing over leather or synthetic, I decided that wash and wear is where it's at and ordered the synthetic version in a size *cough* 56". With my Pessoa, Goose wore a 52" but the billets on that saddle were really long. On the Stubben, they're very short and even the 56" takes a second to get on first try since Mr. Beer Gut bloats. To top off my big Riding Warehouse sale purchase, I grabbed a pair of my favorite Roeckl gloves in navy blue.
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| Image from Riding Warehouse |
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My inner Tack Ho went crazy and I don't hate it. Boy did it feel good to buy a whole bunch of stuff I actually needed. Yikes does my wallet have to recover. Not only did I invest in a whole lot of tack, I also purchased a few more pieces of furniture for the condo, so I'm CUT OFF until further notice. Savings? What are those?
That being said, what are your favorite stirrups? I have the bendy kind and don't hate them, but am open to new options. Bonus points for anything that takes pressure off the knee! Also, what's your favorite affordable bridle? His jumping bridle has seen better days and that's high up on my list to replace soon.
BAHAHAHAHA that visual of what Goose would be as a human!!
ReplyDeleteAnd damn girl, that's a lot of awesome spending lately. How fun. And relatively pain-free so far as those things usually go! Lucky you selling that saddle so quickly, especially. Bravo!
omgosh i'm also dying at the middle aged man-child goose visuals hahahaha!
ReplyDelete