The last lesson I had, we discovered that the saddle I'm using is not well suited for my strange body. That said, it is not going to break my learning trend so I haven't really looked seriously into getting a saddle. In the meantime, I tried a schooling 17 inch saddle to see if it was better. The primary consensus is that I am not struggling with the same pommel issues I was, with the 16.5. But, that doesn't mean that the saddle is necessarily fit better for me. I'm not sure if maybe the height of the pommel is simply the problem because there really isn't much else that seems to bother me. Sheri also said that saddles can be customized quite a bit so it is possible that the "ready to wear" sizing that is generally available isn't the problem.
For now, I'll sort out stuff with either the 16.5 or 17 depending on which is available. As a few readers mentioned, as long as it fits the mount, then the rider can probably make do with whatever is available since lessons usually range 45-60 minutes at twice a week so it's not THAT much. My conclusion is simply to continue with what I have but if something amazing comes by, I'll consider it.
Back to the lesson.
We sort out a pole course again. +ADW said he found it helpful to sort out distance and whatnot since Molson treats poles as jumps. LOLOLOL. I was initially told to add in a wall jump at the end. I figured it should be fine but I spent so much time trying to sort out the stupid canter with Ariel that it just never materialized. We only managed to get through the lesson over the poles because I was all over the place and having difficulty to get that mare to canter. It was so incredibly frustrating b/c I haven't had issues in a while now and I'm not a newbie any more. Because I struggled to get her going, my lower legs were everywhere and it created other issues up top. I was SO FRUSTRATED.
As usual, that frustration was probably translated over and that also contributed to the issue. I did manage the course a few times but it felt completely out of control, again. I hate that feeling that Ariel is going way too fast for me to keep up. But that's exactly it, eh? I am trying to keep up when I should be the one dictating our lesson.
It was pretty sucky that it didn't go too well but life goes on, right? Plus I've got some exciting news for y'all, soon!
Showing posts with label tack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tack. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Friday, June 12, 2015
Lesson #184: Saddles
Lately, I've been having a good experience with Ariel in the paddocks. She comes towards me when I arrive and call her. She isn't ignoring me like she has done in the past and best, she isn't trying to turn tail and run the other way! She had her feet done though, so she was a bit sore and getting her to do anything was a full effort. And I am way out of shape. But we all already knew that.
The warm up was really challenging because I was trying to keep her straight, in the arena and willing to walk over the water puddle. She was completely difficult and being crabby about it all. She's just feeling a little toe sore so no jumping (phew) and working on my position, says Sheri. Easier said than done, my friends!! This was definitely a challenge for me to accomplish all that, and keep focused on where I wanted to go. Needless to say, we were pretty messy up there.
Eventually we got into the canter and what I was asked to do is go into a half seat and just ride her like I'm a racing jockey. Round and round we go! She wanted to slow down but I said "no way. We continue to go". It was not easy and it's the first time I have had to really push her to move forward. It's something I haven't had to deal with, with Ariel, like ever. I was most certainly huffing and puffing.
Our last exercise was trotting around without stirrups. I have definitely been handsy with Ariel but she was being difficult! The aim here? Flow together like we're dancing. I am sure it was less of a flowing ballroom dance and more of a jerky Elaine dance. I was told to let go with my knees (gripping), readjust my lower leg position so I wasn't leaning forward, pulsating squeezes to encourage forward movement. In all that effort, we discovered that the saddle is probably too small for me.
I am on my way to becoming sucked into this whole thing (as if I wasn't already drinking the koolaid!) and turning into a tack whore. Okay that's not entirely true. But I always said, I'm not going to get a saddle unless I own a horse. I started out getting all decked out in the appropriate riding gear. I still wear regular tshirts and such but breeches I have and a helmet and riding gloves for all seasons. Then I moved onwards... to saddle pads and a bridle. Now I have started to consider a saddle!
Our conversations about saddles was typically just in passing. I always thought that as long as it fits the horse and it is generally good for riders, we're good. Wrong. No wonder this is such an expensive sport... the saddle must fit both team members for optimal efficiency. I sort of always thought that and I found out that one of the reasons I tend to lean forward is because of the saddle!! Yes, it's not an absolute explanation but it certainly does contribute to things. And those tough as nails types would say, just suck it up. A good rider can ride without a saddle (that's true) so just learn to ride without one!
We'll look into this a bit more.. in case any readers in the Ontario area might know of a suitable saddle, I'm looking for a medium tree with a size of 17 or so with a lower pommel. For those saddle whores out there, you probably know WAY more so feel free to add details and comment! I certainly don't claim to be an expert of any nature about this stuff!
The warm up was really challenging because I was trying to keep her straight, in the arena and willing to walk over the water puddle. She was completely difficult and being crabby about it all. She's just feeling a little toe sore so no jumping (phew) and working on my position, says Sheri. Easier said than done, my friends!! This was definitely a challenge for me to accomplish all that, and keep focused on where I wanted to go. Needless to say, we were pretty messy up there.
Eventually we got into the canter and what I was asked to do is go into a half seat and just ride her like I'm a racing jockey. Round and round we go! She wanted to slow down but I said "no way. We continue to go". It was not easy and it's the first time I have had to really push her to move forward. It's something I haven't had to deal with, with Ariel, like ever. I was most certainly huffing and puffing.
 |
| Deb sure was insistent tonight. But I got the better of her a few times!--Ariel |
Our last exercise was trotting around without stirrups. I have definitely been handsy with Ariel but she was being difficult! The aim here? Flow together like we're dancing. I am sure it was less of a flowing ballroom dance and more of a jerky Elaine dance. I was told to let go with my knees (gripping), readjust my lower leg position so I wasn't leaning forward, pulsating squeezes to encourage forward movement. In all that effort, we discovered that the saddle is probably too small for me.
I am on my way to becoming sucked into this whole thing (as if I wasn't already drinking the koolaid!) and turning into a tack whore. Okay that's not entirely true. But I always said, I'm not going to get a saddle unless I own a horse. I started out getting all decked out in the appropriate riding gear. I still wear regular tshirts and such but breeches I have and a helmet and riding gloves for all seasons. Then I moved onwards... to saddle pads and a bridle. Now I have started to consider a saddle!
Our conversations about saddles was typically just in passing. I always thought that as long as it fits the horse and it is generally good for riders, we're good. Wrong. No wonder this is such an expensive sport... the saddle must fit both team members for optimal efficiency. I sort of always thought that and I found out that one of the reasons I tend to lean forward is because of the saddle!! Yes, it's not an absolute explanation but it certainly does contribute to things. And those tough as nails types would say, just suck it up. A good rider can ride without a saddle (that's true) so just learn to ride without one!
We'll look into this a bit more.. in case any readers in the Ontario area might know of a suitable saddle, I'm looking for a medium tree with a size of 17 or so with a lower pommel. For those saddle whores out there, you probably know WAY more so feel free to add details and comment! I certainly don't claim to be an expert of any nature about this stuff!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Cleaning Horsey Stuff, Part 1: Saddle Pad
Ariel isn't my horse per se, and I don't own a horse (yet...) so logically, I have little horse tack. I did however, purchase a saddle pad in the spring because I was having trouble being able to regularly find a saddle pad for Ariel. I bought a "Union Hill LETTIA pad" in navy with green whales from Bahr's Saddlery. Perhaps not the best decision for a white horse, but it has matching polo wrap too! I didn't get those :P
This summer hasn't been too bad in terms of heat but that doesn't mean Ariel doesn't sweat during a lesson. Add to that the fact that she loves to roll around in the dirt and come to me with mud caked on. I figure that since we riders wash riding clothes after a sweaty lesson, the same should be done for horse stuff (note: I intend to learn how to clean bridles and saddles eventually). I already wash the bit after lessons and ensure there isn't anything crusty left on there and then tie it up neatly in a figure 8. I also decided to wash my grooming brushes since I needed the dandy for the saddle pad cleaning.
Needless to say, the pad looked (and smelled like a dirty gym sock that a horse wore) like this:
Upon closer inspection, I see that the once fleecy underside is now smooth and slightly shiny with dried sweat and dirt. The common concern that many riders have is tossing it straight into the home washing machine, full of dry dirt, sweat and horse hair. Yes, like all laundry, it goes in dirty and comes out clean. But, that doesn't mean that it's going to leave the washing machine clean enough to do your un-mentionables, or not clog up your pipes. So, after brief consultation with J, I laid the pad, underside up on the grass and grabbed the (synthetic) dandy brush to brush off as much of the loose dust, dirt and horse hair as possible.
Then I filled the brown bucket with water and a little bit of colour fast detergent. Next, I soaked the pad from top to bottom with the hose going at super stream, not spray. It didn't get a lot of the dirt off but now everything is wet; the pad is heavy, soaked with water so careful not to throw your back out! I dipped the same dandy brush into the bucket and proceeded to scrub the pad on the underside first: it was magical to see things just disappear. My final step was to dump the bucket of water onto the grass and then blast the pad with the hose on both sides. This made the pad super heavy and I had to do some squeezing and picking off of leaves and grass. I messily rolled the pad into a bundle, dumped it into the bucket and headed inside. We have a laundry sink that I used to further rinse the fauna debris from and as I was kneeding the pad, I would see all this brown water go rushing out of it. I did it a few more times and then got the washing machine ready with cold water on a quick cycle with minimal detergent (the tag called for "mild detergent").
It came out clean but I had to clear up the machine walls of any missed debris and then I put it to line dry. I go one step further and line dry outside since the weather is still good. When I get home, I check out the pad and see that there is a LOT of hair still embedded--particularly the underside. I spend the evening outside picking much of the horse hair off and then brushing with a lint brush. (Almost) good as new!
After looking at things more closely and rethinking the whole dirt, sweat part, I've decided that I'll probably be washing this thing as frequently as my own breeches. AND, I'll be adding a new saddle pad to my "wish list" (in time for The Royal and the Greenhawk super warehouse sale) so I can rotate them, over the cold months.
Note: always read the cleaning label of your saddle pad! Also, I only tried this on the standard cotton/poly saddle pad.
 |
| Time for a clean up! |
This summer hasn't been too bad in terms of heat but that doesn't mean Ariel doesn't sweat during a lesson. Add to that the fact that she loves to roll around in the dirt and come to me with mud caked on. I figure that since we riders wash riding clothes after a sweaty lesson, the same should be done for horse stuff (note: I intend to learn how to clean bridles and saddles eventually). I already wash the bit after lessons and ensure there isn't anything crusty left on there and then tie it up neatly in a figure 8. I also decided to wash my grooming brushes since I needed the dandy for the saddle pad cleaning.
 |
| Colour fast detergent for the saddle pad and dish soap for the brushes |
Needless to say, the pad looked (and smelled like a dirty gym sock that a horse wore) like this:
 |
| That's a season's worth of yuck! |
Upon closer inspection, I see that the once fleecy underside is now smooth and slightly shiny with dried sweat and dirt. The common concern that many riders have is tossing it straight into the home washing machine, full of dry dirt, sweat and horse hair. Yes, like all laundry, it goes in dirty and comes out clean. But, that doesn't mean that it's going to leave the washing machine clean enough to do your un-mentionables, or not clog up your pipes. So, after brief consultation with J, I laid the pad, underside up on the grass and grabbed the (synthetic) dandy brush to brush off as much of the loose dust, dirt and horse hair as possible.
 |
| Not much improvement... |
Then I filled the brown bucket with water and a little bit of colour fast detergent. Next, I soaked the pad from top to bottom with the hose going at super stream, not spray. It didn't get a lot of the dirt off but now everything is wet; the pad is heavy, soaked with water so careful not to throw your back out! I dipped the same dandy brush into the bucket and proceeded to scrub the pad on the underside first: it was magical to see things just disappear. My final step was to dump the bucket of water onto the grass and then blast the pad with the hose on both sides. This made the pad super heavy and I had to do some squeezing and picking off of leaves and grass. I messily rolled the pad into a bundle, dumped it into the bucket and headed inside. We have a laundry sink that I used to further rinse the fauna debris from and as I was kneeding the pad, I would see all this brown water go rushing out of it. I did it a few more times and then got the washing machine ready with cold water on a quick cycle with minimal detergent (the tag called for "mild detergent").
It came out clean but I had to clear up the machine walls of any missed debris and then I put it to line dry. I go one step further and line dry outside since the weather is still good. When I get home, I check out the pad and see that there is a LOT of hair still embedded--particularly the underside. I spend the evening outside picking much of the horse hair off and then brushing with a lint brush. (Almost) good as new!
 |
| Front side after picking hair... |
 |
| Still picking hair as I type this... but it's a vast improvement |
After looking at things more closely and rethinking the whole dirt, sweat part, I've decided that I'll probably be washing this thing as frequently as my own breeches. AND, I'll be adding a new saddle pad to my "wish list" (in time for The Royal and the Greenhawk super warehouse sale) so I can rotate them, over the cold months.
Note: always read the cleaning label of your saddle pad! Also, I only tried this on the standard cotton/poly saddle pad.
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