Firewell
Well-Known Member
I haven't been happy with how my horse J has been going under saddle for a while. He has been really hard to get working into a contact, behind the bridle/leg but then rushing and false outline when I ask him to move forwards, reluctant to stretch and stiff. Jumping he has started rushing his jumps. He has gone from late 60's/70% dressage to struggling to get 60%. His jumping rounds have been getting messy, flying at the fences then chipping in tiny strides, still going clear and getting placed but I was getting vibes that he was unsure, just doing it because I asked him. Normally he feels like he would take on the world when he jumps!
I freaked out thinking it was me, then I thought he was broken and was about to call the vet. I haven't been happy with his saddle for a while. It was so tight on him I couldn't get my hand under the front and he was getting soft lumps over his withers when I took it off. I got fed up of saddlers telling me it fitted when I was conviced it didn't.
I bought two saddles myself over the internet. Kieffers with the standard tree which I think is a lovely old fashioned design with a really cut back head, perfect for TB's with high withers, curved backs and big shoulders. Both saddles fit a dream, they are off his withers, right back from his shoulders and suddenly he can move! I also never realised just how long his neck was!
I then put him on Superflex. He was broken to race at 2 and although he only raced once he has always been prone to coming out of his stable a bit stiff so I thought it couldn't hurt.
OMG the difference. I could cry with happiness at how he now feels to ride but I'm also appalled at how much he must have been struggling. I thought I was a rubbish rider, I used to feel like I was pulling and jerking and kicking. Now I don't have to do anything! I just sit there! He is round, soft and supple. He is dead even in both reins, straight, secure and spongy in my hand. I can flex him left and right and his body flows from one direction to the other like he is made of rubber. He is like a different horse. I probably sound crazy but I am so relieved and he gets better and better every day.
I'm so glad I followed my instinct. Two such simple things have made the hugest difference and I have saved so much money buying the saddles second hand! They are both nearly new and cost less then 50% of the rrp. The superflex, goodness knows what is in that stuff but whatever it is obviously suits him.
So happy! Thought i'd share in case anyone else finds this useful.
The second thing is for personal reasons I need to find someone good to come and jump him at our yard for me every other week as I am unable to do it. Of course I would pay. I'm very precious over his jumping as he is such a dude at it but also he has lost a bit of confidence inside from being sore and I would like someone quite, sympathetic and professional. It's more to keep him ticking over. Maybe do the odd sj show in the new year, event or whatever or maybe not I don't mind. We are in Hampshire just over the surrey border, so if anyone has a bit of free time or knows of someone that would suit please let me know.
I freaked out thinking it was me, then I thought he was broken and was about to call the vet. I haven't been happy with his saddle for a while. It was so tight on him I couldn't get my hand under the front and he was getting soft lumps over his withers when I took it off. I got fed up of saddlers telling me it fitted when I was conviced it didn't.
I bought two saddles myself over the internet. Kieffers with the standard tree which I think is a lovely old fashioned design with a really cut back head, perfect for TB's with high withers, curved backs and big shoulders. Both saddles fit a dream, they are off his withers, right back from his shoulders and suddenly he can move! I also never realised just how long his neck was!
I then put him on Superflex. He was broken to race at 2 and although he only raced once he has always been prone to coming out of his stable a bit stiff so I thought it couldn't hurt.
OMG the difference. I could cry with happiness at how he now feels to ride but I'm also appalled at how much he must have been struggling. I thought I was a rubbish rider, I used to feel like I was pulling and jerking and kicking. Now I don't have to do anything! I just sit there! He is round, soft and supple. He is dead even in both reins, straight, secure and spongy in my hand. I can flex him left and right and his body flows from one direction to the other like he is made of rubber. He is like a different horse. I probably sound crazy but I am so relieved and he gets better and better every day.
I'm so glad I followed my instinct. Two such simple things have made the hugest difference and I have saved so much money buying the saddles second hand! They are both nearly new and cost less then 50% of the rrp. The superflex, goodness knows what is in that stuff but whatever it is obviously suits him.
So happy! Thought i'd share in case anyone else finds this useful.
The second thing is for personal reasons I need to find someone good to come and jump him at our yard for me every other week as I am unable to do it. Of course I would pay. I'm very precious over his jumping as he is such a dude at it but also he has lost a bit of confidence inside from being sore and I would like someone quite, sympathetic and professional. It's more to keep him ticking over. Maybe do the odd sj show in the new year, event or whatever or maybe not I don't mind. We are in Hampshire just over the surrey border, so if anyone has a bit of free time or knows of someone that would suit please let me know.
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