Thursday, October 25, 2012

how to break a saddle

. . .or how to ensure no one will ride you ever again. . .or at least until another saddle is found and bought. . .

Step 1. Run out of tack stall at full speed.
Step 2. Get saddle horn caught on low overhang.
Step 3. Continue running until front of saddle is ripped back and you are freed from overhang.
Step 4. Stop and eat some grass.
Step 5. Run again as two legger gets near, just for fun and because smoke is coming from her ears. 
Needless to say, I am pretty upset over this. For some reason, Shyloh does not care for the tack stall. It really is just a stall with wood flooring. She goes in every time, but does not like to stay in it. I think it might be that she can't really see out of it, but who knows. Usually, she just calmly tried to walk out, like no big deal. Previously, I could tack her anywhere and she would just stand. Here, she is a little more antsy, even during our stretches. I am sure she is still getting comfortable with the place.

I tacked her up just fine and we had a great lunging/stretching session. I actually got sweat! And there was even foamy butt sweat! There was only one other time Shy had foamy butt sweat and it sure wasn't from me lunging her! I can already tell a difference in Shy from one week of being out all the time. It is nice to see and I was looking forward to riding sooner rather than later. . .

And, I asked the feeding lady to leave Shy's hay out since I was getting ready to work her just as she started feeding and she did. Yay. The only downside to that is I have to feed Shy in a paddock and wait for her to be finished, then put her back with the herd. I do really love that Shy has the whole pasture at her disposal, to walk around and explore as she pleases. 
But at the same time, I don't dislike it, but I wish things could be different. For instance, I wish they had feeding spots where they could each go to feed. And I wish I had a spot where I could take Shy and just hang out, like we used to in her stall. Tomorrow, it is supposed to rain all day. So there is no point in me even heading over to the barn. I will have a wet pony I can't work and no where to just spend time with her. It can be frustrating. But other than that, Shy seems to be adjusting well. No major chunks are removed from her flesh. I am going to reserve some thoughts about this place until I get a little more comfortable. Nothing that has to do with the care or safety of the horses or the people, just some personal thoughts about what I want for me and Shy and our future. 

In the mean time. . .anyone have a saddle for me?

23 comments:

  1. Ouch! Sounds like she'll need her back adjusted after that stunt! Too bad about your saddle :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Noooo! The chiro isn't scheduled to come back til December :(

      Delete
  2. Guess you're going to learn to ride bareback sooner than later :)

    I don't know that there is a "perfect" solution unless you have her on your own property.

    Is there a round pen? On days when it's not raining, if no one is using the round pen, I bet you could just go hang out in there with her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need to win the lotto so I can get my own property. I know that there is no perfect solution. . .
      No round pen. I miss that, because we did use it a lot at the other barn. I'll figure something out.

      And bareback. . .I just need to get my confidence up to do that again!

      Delete
    2. Darn about the round pen.

      Did she actually break the tree on the saddle? Is it something that can be repaired until you can win the lotto? (BTW, that's the only way I'm getting my own property, too).

      Delete
  3. Uh Oh, breaking your saddle girl!!! I'd give it a go too but, mine doesn't have a horn!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shy assures you that there are other ways to break a saddle, but I won't share them. . .Don;t want to make your Mom mad at me!!

      Delete
  4. Lordy! Shy really ripped that saddle! I wish I knew of a saddle but even I don't have a decent one to use :/

    And I hope things find there place at the barn, sometimes it is difficult in the beginning. I know at my barn I liked it for a bit than not too long after I wanted to leave but now I feel that it is okay to stay. So maybe just give it a chance?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, she broke the tree, ripped the fabric. . .ugh. There is no fixing it.

      I am giving it a chance. It is not bad, not at all. Maybe just different and I have to adjust.

      Delete
  5. Oh no, what a disaster! Just keep watching out for a second hand saddle, I guess. Dammit, I have a third saddle, if we were closer - even on the same continent! - you could try it and see if it fits her.

    Aero is also taking a while to settle in his new place - they're here two weeks now and he is still quite tense and jumpy and I feel like he's testing me in many ways (there's an Aero's Diary post on the way!). It really does take some of them a while, so give it time and keep your cool.
    I'm in the same boat here today, it's going to rain all day, but I'm going to call up and see the boys anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Damn ocean, getting in the way of everything, haha!
      I'll keep my eye out, but another saddle was not exactly in the budget. Too bad I don't have Shy driving yet, we could have given hayrides and charged people :)

      I think doing things we did at our other barn help with her stress, like the lunging and clicker training, but she is still getting used to the whole different routine. The unfortunate part is that I do not see this place as a long term home for us, so we will have to do this all over again at some point. Not anytime soon, though!

      Delete
  6. Kaspin took over a month to really settle in(they don't look frazzled but they're for a bit). Give it some time and I hope you find a new saddle. There might be some tack sales coming up in your area? Just a thought.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is one in Milan coming up, I saw a flyer at the barn. But looks like I have some shopping to do. . .ugh!

      Delete
  7. Shy you stinker! it always surprises me when horses and scared of those weird little things. I'm sure she'll adjust to the saddling room soon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She wasn't even scared, I think she just wanted to get out and eat because the rest of them were eating. Stinker was not one of the words I used yesterday to describe her. . .

      Delete
  8. Oh Shyloh-so adorable, so naughty! :) Thanks for stopping by my blog-I look forward to getting caught up in what's going on in your world. New barns are ALWAYS an adjustment, for both you and your horse. Good luck:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I was missing your stories of Miles and Chamie :)

      Delete
  9. Can the saddle be repaired? It doesn't looks like the the tree is actually damaged. It is so hard to find the right place. Hard to balance was a horse needs with what we need. A horse would be best out on 30 acres but the reality is we have them because we want to ride them. I am in the same situaiton as you, I am a boarder and doubt ill every have property. I think the pretty close to perfect place is out there for everyone. I am moving the dinkus man to several acres, with other horses, and I get to keep the fancy arena. Just keep your eyes open.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The whole front of the tree is broken off. Ugh! I wished I didn't live in such a suburban area, where barns are at a minimum, but I do.

      Delete
  10. Sorry to hear about your sadle. That stInks. :(

    I've actually had good luck buying used saddles from eBay and other online sites. You have to be careful, ask lots of questions, and make sure the seller has a return policy. But, I have a lovely Stubben dressage saddle that I got online for a steal.

    ~Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will have to check out eBay. I am always leery when buying stuff for Shy because she is so hard to fit. But I will make sure to read the policies. Thanks for the info!

      Delete

Share your thoughts or comments, I love to read them!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.