Challenges II

Last post--neglected to mention--my new helmet is the $65.00 Tippery Sportage.  Next the saga of the saddle.  I bought it used in Oklahoma City in 1992, and, good grief, have myself used it constantly on numerous horses for 20 years.  It's a 3 lbs. jock saddle that somebody made into an exercise saddle.  Fits nicely on the horse, correctly positions the rider.  At this point the thing is falling apart with the major problem being the straps (that hold the girth) are coming apart or are mush.

Saddles would be other than a problem IF u can buy one that's satisfactory.  Checking the internet what little is available these days is primarily junk made in India.  There's this:

The 6 lbs St. Lourdes exercise saddle made in Britain.  Photo looks decent.  I have my suspicions about the comfort and appropriateness of the tree width.  A saddle need sit on the horse in the correct position.  If u need slide it to far up on the withers due to narrow tree width the rider will sit too far forward on the horse, which is other than over the center of gravity and unbalances the stride.

Jocks use saddles that are more forward and they lean a little backwards to center over gravity.  Has to do with weight and size of rider.  A heavier rider as myself needs a saddle that will sit a little back on the withers or otherwise big heavy me will be sitting on the horse's head.  The width of the tree thus need be wider for heavier riders so that the saddle can physically sit farther back.  The above St. Lourdes  just looks fairly inflexible in the tree to take a chance on for $430.00, and, besides the  third world junk saddles St. Lourdes is all there is until I ran into Mike's Custom Tack.  Voila:

http://webertack.com/sidebar/product/breezer.php

Found this website only out of frustration with what shows at the Google.  Figured--there has to be a tack shop in Louisville that sells decent saddles.  Found this site in the Louisville Yellow Pages.  That's how desperate I was.

Talked to Mike's wife this morn.  He makes all the saddles for Asmussen, Plecher, all the "big" trainers.  Explained that I was other than a big trainer, but needed a saddle.  These are 3 lbs exercise saddles.  Still Q of tree width, and will talk to Mike himself about this.  Cost:  $500.  For us, if it fits, worth every penny.  3 lbs. less than the St. Lourdes.  When u're riding and as heavy as me, every ounce counts.