What to use for a plod around the block?

[AutumnDays]

Hoping to be able to ride/lead for our walkies in the future, so we can go a little further, if boy horse is ok'd for it. I don't want to pay a fortune for kit, but I want something that I can use that has stirrups, so that he has a "saddle" for use on the quiet country roads, so insure etc is all valid in case anything happened, otherwise I'd just pad up and go bareback with him. His conformation from previous injuries means he wouldn't be comfortable in a traditional saddle (and I think he associates them with pain/trauma, as his behaviour when shown a saddle is very fear based. Have worked on this, but would rather not use one), but he has been quite happy with me sitting on him with a saddle pad and having a little bumble in his paddock. It wouldn't be a daily thing, it's just to give them both a change of scenery and a good stretch, as I'm getting shattered walking the dog for miles, then walking them, and everyone is getting fitter and walking faster than I can keep up! Any ideas?

 

[Spotherisk]

Why can’t you go bareback, does your insurance state you must use a saddle?

 

[AutumnDays]

Why can’t you go bareback, does your insurance state you must use a saddle?

I thought it was more of a highway code thing? My insurance doesn't actually state I need to use tack I don't think... I'll have a read through
ETA it's Harry Hally one club for public liability insurance

 

[nagblagger]

I used a saddle pad with stirrups on my unusual shaped mule.

 

[AutumnDays]

I used a saddle pad with stirrups on my unusual shaped mule.

I was looking at these, the simple, cheaper ones rather than the ones like the Christ Lamfelle one, is that what you have?

 

[Spotherisk]

I thought it was more of a highway code thing? My insurance doesn't actually state I need to use tack I don't think... I'll have a read through
ETA it's Harry Hally one club for public liability insurance

The Highway Code says you ‘should’ do certain things ie keep feet in stirrups, if it said ‘must’ then you have to do it, should is advisory (and yes of course makes sense, years ago I rode miles bareback).

 

[nagblagger]

Yes very cheap and simple, it works for me, I only go for a plod around.

 

[AutumnDays]

The Highway Code says you ‘should’ do certain things ie keep feet in stirrups, if it said ‘must’ then you have to do it, should is advisory (and yes of course makes sense, years ago I rode miles bareback).

Ah I see... Thank you for clearing that up for me! After looking through my documents, it doesn't mention anything about riding out bareback etc, it just says covered for use and ownership of horse. It does state though, that I am not covered if I use my horses for activities of war, so I best forget my plans of charging into battle one day

 

[AutumnDays]

Yes very cheap and simple, it works for me, I only go for a plod around.

Brilliant, thank you for sharing

 

[cauda equina]

Christlammfelle sheepskin pads are brilliant

 

[Skib]

You do need stirrups riding on public roads. But isnt the point of a treed saddle that it lifts the rider's weight off the horse's spine? I loved riding bareback but only ever did it in the school. And was allowed by our RI oly bercvause i havbe a plump squashy bottom.

 

[Miss_Millie]

You could try a Total Contact Saddle, you can often find them second hand and they re-sell well if you don't get on with it

 

[SpeedyPony]

Stirrups are advisory not mandatory, much like having a bit/bridle when leading on the road (advice I'm sure most of us ignore regularly!)- I've hacked out both bareback and in a christ lamfelle pad, which is very secure. I'd never put stirrups on one though, as it doesn't have the support to distribute the pressure from the stirrups across their back like a saddle would. It also has D-rings for attaching the stirrups, so if you got your foot caught you'd be in big trouble.

 

[AutumnDays]

Christlammfelle sheepskin pads are brilliant

I agree, but they are a bit pricey

 

[AutumnDays]

You could try a Total Contact Saddle, you can often find them second hand and they re-sell well if you don't get on with it

Unfortunately I can only find them second hand on Facebook when doing a search, and I'm not a member of that club! Plus they are a bit pricey for what they are

 

[AutumnDays]

You do need stirrups riding on public roads. But isnt the point of a treed saddle that it lifts the rider's weight off the horse's spine? I loved riding bareback but only ever did it in the school. And was allowed by our RI oly bercvause i havbe a plump squashy bottom.

A treed saddle wouldn't for for him due to his conformation across his withers as a result of abuse before I had him, hence just looking for something to give him a bit of padding for a once a week at most plod

 

[AutumnDays]

Stirrups are advisory not mandatory, much like having a bit/bridle when leading on the road (advice I'm sure most of us ignore regularly!)- I've hacked out both bareback and in a christ lamfelle pad, which is very secure. I'd never put stirrups on one though, as it doesn't have the support to distribute the pressure from the stirrups across their back like a saddle would. It also has D-rings for attaching the stirrups, so if you got your foot caught you'd be in big trouble.

I wasn't too sure about stirrups on them from pressure, but also wasn't sure if you had to have them for riding on public roads. I have the peacock stirrups, so I could get a foot free. Maybe I'm just over thinking

 

[SpeedyPony]

I wasn't too sure about stirrups on them from pressure, but also wasn't sure if you had to have them for riding on public roads. I have the peacock stirrups, so I could get a foot free. Maybe I'm just over thinking

You don't need stirrups on public roads and with the knee rolls on the pad I found I was as secure as I would have been with stirrups in a traditional treed saddle. I really wouldn't put stirrups on one of the pads, even safety stirrups- it wouldn't be good for their back and if he's had bad experiences with saddles/riding before I'd be loathe to try something likely to cause discomfort.
They are expensive, but mine has earned its keep since I've had it- I've used it while waiting for saddle fittings and for backing youngsters.

 

[maya2008]

If it’s insurance you are worried about, whatever you choose needs to be sold as a ‘saddle’ not a bareback pad.

 

[Fransurrey]

They rarely come up second hand, but Thorn pads are lovely to ride in. Even rarer to find a full sized one.

 

[planete]

Have a look at second hand Torsion saddles. I have used mine regularly for two years and the physio has just commented on how good the pony's back is. The treeless pads for them are quite pricey though but essential.

 

[AutumnDays]

You don't need stirrups on public roads and with the knee rolls on the pad I found I was as secure as I would have been with stirrups in a traditional treed saddle. I really wouldn't put stirrups on one of the pads, even safety stirrups- it wouldn't be good for their back and if he's had bad experiences with saddles/riding before I'd be loathe to try something likely to cause discomfort.
They are expensive, but mine has earned its keep since I've had it- I've used it while waiting for saddle fittings and for backing youngsters.

Hmmm, I may have to invest... I had an old well used one years ago and sold it, I regret that now

 

[AutumnDays]

If it’s insurance you are worried about, whatever you choose needs to be sold as a ‘saddle’ not a bareback pad.

Checking my insurance it doesn't actually mention anything about tack being used, it says the use and ownership of a horse and lists some activities

 

[AutumnDays]

They rarely come up second hand, but Thorn pads are lovely to ride in. Even rarer to find a full sized one.

I've just had a look at these, they seem really nice!

 

[asmp]

Saw this for sale on FB but no idea what they’re like.

 

[sbloom]

I'd recommend a good second hand treeless and make sure you have a good pad for spreading pressure. Walking is actually pretty hard on the horse's back and skin, as it occludes blood flow to an extent; faster work shifts pressure allowing blood flow to return even if it's just fleetingly every stride. Walk doesn't have that.

You'll find some good stuff in this group if you're on FB https://www.facebook.com/groups/169680956504884

 

[planete]

View attachment 151556
Saw this for sale on FB but no idea what they’re like.

I bought one when trying to find a solution for my awkward shape pony. I sent it right back after looking at the way it was made. It felt like an unyieding piece of cardboard underneath as well.

 

[Fieldlife]

Stirrups are advisory not mandatory, much like having a bit/bridle when leading on the road (advice I'm sure most of us ignore regularly!)- I've hacked out both bareback and in a christ lamfelle pad, which is very secure. I'd never put stirrups on one though, as it doesn't have the support to distribute the pressure from the stirrups across their back like a saddle would. It also has D-rings for attaching the stirrups, so if you got your foot caught you'd be in big trouble.

Are you absolutely sure that IF you were leading a horse on a public road, in a headcollar and leadrope, and you lost control of horse, and it got away from you and caused a serious road traffic pile up, that your third party liability insurance would pay out? I think leading a horse on a public road, not in a bridle / lunge line / cavesson e.g. might be seen as not taking due care?

Similarly if you were hit leading / riding a horse on a public road and not wearing hiviz, I think some insurance companies are starting to consider you as not taking due care.

 

[SpeedyPony]

Are you absolutely sure that IF you were leading a horse on a public road, in a headcollar and leadrope, and you lost control of horse, and it got away from you and caused a serious road traffic pile up, that your third party liability insurance would pay out? I think leading a horse on a public road, not in a bridle / lunge line / cavesson e.g. might be seen as not taking due care?

Similarly if you were hit leading / riding a horse on a public road and not wearing hiviz, I think some insurance companies are starting to consider you as not taking due care.

Honestly, yes. Unless you have a horse that is spectacularly ill-mannered, leading in a head collar and lead rope should be as safe as anything involving horses is. Obviously if you have a horse you know to be a problem you should take the appropriate precautions, but most should be perfectly well behaved without needing a bridle. I'd expect the insurance to cover it unless there was evidence that the horse was dangerous- after all I'd expect them to cover it if I fell off and the horse got loose.
Slightly off topic, but I'm not a fan of lunge lines for leading- once a horse has got the length of his body past you you've lost all leverage and you won't get him back after that if he really wants to go. All you end up with is a choice between being dragged or letting go and having a long, potentially leg breaking, rope trailing behind.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hoping to be able to ride/lead for our walkies in the future, so we can go a little further, if boy horse is ok'd for it. I don't want to pay a fortune for kit, but I want something that I can use that has stirrups, so that he has a "saddle" for use on the quiet country roads, so insure etc is all valid in case anything happened, otherwise I'd just pad up and go bareback with him. His conformation from previous injuries means he wouldn't be comfortable in a traditional saddle (and I think he associates them with pain/trauma, as his behaviour when shown a saddle is very fear based. Have worked on this, but would rather not use one), but he has been quite happy with me sitting on him with a saddle pad and having a little bumble in his paddock. It wouldn't be a daily thing, it's just to give them both a change of scenery and a good stretch, as I'm getting shattered walking the dog for miles, then walking them, and everyone is getting fitter and walking faster than I can keep up! Any ideas?

Can you not use a roller and have stirrup leathers and irons attached to one of the rings on the roller??