August 27- Ride #41 hints, switcheroo

Ride #41, August 24. Simco Western saddle with the wither-fill pad. It looks like two felt ping-pong paddles attached by a nylon strap. The paddles fit into the hollow area on either side of the withers to hold the saddle up off the backbone.

Fussy for grooming since other horses were working in indoor arena, but settled. Took him in and let other horse out. Introduced sack of cans, dragged it around a bit. He stepped on it and startled himself, I need to remember to hold it farther from his feet when we start again.

Got on at the mounting block and walked a few minutes- then he brought me back to the mounting block. And stood there and ground his teeth. I put my hand under the edge of the saddle and decided the wither pad had shifted. So I got down, loosened the cinch and rearranged the pads. Got on again and he was much more willing, walking faster and more relaxed. Thank you for the hint, Sherlock.

Walked and trotted all the way around the ring sweet and cheerful. Still very giraffe-y with his neck but balance is much improved, head set comes later. 

Get off and fix the saddle, please.

August 25 came out to feed and the barn sign warned that horses were rearranged and would be fixed that night. Seems the gate between the Pony paddock and the Non-dominant pasture was left open and almost everyone decided to try something new for the night. Only Sherlock was left in the Pony paddock with everyone but Eva from the Non-dominant. He was hiding in the shelter when I called him, and I put him the pasture with his herd after he ate his grain.

At 6:00 I came back and helped catch everyone to go back into the Pony paddock. Allie was a challenge but Tooie was a perfect angel once I'd caught Allie. Sherlock was excellent as usual, if a bit carrot-focused.

August 22- rides # 38,39,40 & saddle shuffle

Lots of riding pics this time!

Bareback stretching

August 1, ride #38. Rode bareback in indoor just to stretch out my sore back. Casual strolling and then some hand-grazing with Rocket. They get along very nicely.


August 4. I'm starting to feel stomach troubles again. Likely just the stress of 2 freelance jobs and 2 eBay selling jobs. Got my custom bridle from Uiseach Saddlery in Ireland today! Thank you G for a great anniversary present!




August 8, grooming and tried on new bridle for pics! Clipper introduction, after photos did some round pen work walk/trot. SO hot. Ugh.

Handsome in new blue-stitched bridle!

August 10, back from overnight trip to Steamboat Springs.  Sherlock's right knee swollen, small cut on the outside of the joint. No heat, not sore to touch. Added  B-L Solution to feed.

August 12. Sherlock saw me coming with grain and came galloping in! Clearly not lame on still-swollen knee. Watching for possible joint fluid leakage on front of joint still squishy, but swelling everywhere going down. B-L Solution and beer grain.

August 17. Trimmed by farrier M. Did great today- another very successful day. Stood well and calmly, we let him stretch between and front and hind feet today instead of after every foot.

August 18, ride #39. Light ride trying out King western saddle. Nice narrow tree with a high wither relief gullet, but twist was too wide for me. I was sore within 20 minutes.


August 21, ride #40. Light ride re-testing Simco western saddle. Still sitting a litle too low and pressing on withers, but was a good fit for me. Talked to A who was aout riding Trigger, and he had a wither fill pad he got at Saddle Up. Went right over and bought one! Can't wait to try it out but this weekend may be full of Sounds True Wake Up Festival instead of horseback riding.

Western today!