|
Post by solomon on Mar 9, 2015 10:23:02 GMT
Just wanted to mention something about saddles. My horse always used to put his ears back and take a step away when the saddle came out. Very noticeable especially when anyone other than me tacks him up. Since I changed to the Lavinia Mitchell saddle his attitude has completely changed. He is obviously so much more comfortable. My old saddle was expensive hand made by my previous saddler who came and checked/ flocked regularly. I had spent £200 on it last year. Visits fand checks etc. make sure your horse likes it's tack. Such a basic thing. Can't believe now I got it so badly wrong!
|
|
|
Post by brigadier on Mar 9, 2015 12:40:24 GMT
You are completely right Sol, horses can only tell us the way they know how. Its a shame your saddle was uncomfortable for him, and in my experience not all saddlers get it right. I kinda know how to ensure my saddle fits now so feel fairly comfortable with buying/selecting one but that's only from getting it wrong so often (and with a saddlers input also) but if you don't know and the saddler gets it wrong you can end up in a mess.
|
|
|
Post by solomon on Mar 9, 2015 14:17:47 GMT
Exactly! I worry that the saddler I used may be hurting other horses. Unintentionally of course!
|
|
|
Post by pboy on Mar 9, 2015 18:20:06 GMT
Great to hear Sol!
Is the saddler you used previously the one we had in common?
|
|
|
Post by solomon on Mar 9, 2015 21:25:06 GMT
Yes. Bespoke saddle company. Ellie Martin.
|
|
|
Post by pboy on Mar 10, 2015 9:23:44 GMT
I'm being naughty and watching a RP dressage saddle on eBay at the moment...
|
|
|
Post by brigadier on Mar 10, 2015 9:48:39 GMT
Nothing wrong with being naughty......
|
|
|
Post by pboy on Mar 10, 2015 10:11:37 GMT
Except when all your spare money is supposed to be going into a house refurb
|
|
|
Post by racaille on Mar 11, 2015 9:09:06 GMT
Except when all your spare money is supposed to be going into a house refurb Well I have a theory about this: houses are a warm shelter from the weather but life is about having fun and enjoying every minute to the maximum. Currently having a bit of a spat with my OH who wants to do a fancy renovation but I'd rather spend the cash (beyond making the house comfortable) on LIVING. It's about whether you want to spend your life looking OUT or be out there doing it. SO, sod the posh house, spend your money on experiences. If that means a new saddle, so be it And Sol, sorry to hikack, but great that you and P are enjoying your new saddle.
|
|
|
Post by brigadier on Mar 11, 2015 10:07:53 GMT
Id have to sit on the fence with that one Rac- I love refurbing so its 50 50 for me
|
|
|
Post by pboy on Mar 11, 2015 13:13:02 GMT
Yeah, I'm a bit on the fence too. The house currently has no kitchen or heating, the bathroom was awful and the wiring terrible so we knew we'd have to put money into it! The 'choice' part will be the furniture and I'd prefer to make-do for a while and enjoy life at the same time (it's like to mean having an Ikea hanging rail instead of a wardrobe for a while, but that'll do for now ). I decided not to go for the Reactor Panel as the seller didn't respond to a question, and I scared myself by reading about the re-fitting options as the company here has a terrible reputation!
|
|
|
Post by brigadier on Mar 11, 2015 17:52:19 GMT
Or you could buy some older 2nd hand pieces and slap on the chalk paint- Ive just updated some rather shiny pine stuff for my living room and it looks gorgeous! (Managed to throw away the hideous chrome and glass TV thing my hubby liked!! result!
|
|
|
Post by racaille on Mar 11, 2015 18:39:43 GMT
TBH I used to love renovating and did up all my UK houses (there have been a lot!). It was a great way of getting a better house than I could afford and then making money by selling it on! But I think the pleasure has dimmed for me partly because the French market is different but mostly it's age: I don't plan on selling this house so I'll never see a profit. Most importantly, the pot of money I have is finite, at my age I'll never get a huge chunk more from working so the more that goes on the house, the less I have for fun. I too am a huge fan of upcycling furniture and my current love is mixing it up with old stuff in a modern look.
|
|
haffyfan
Administrator
is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
Posts: 7,391
|
Post by haffyfan on Mar 12, 2015 11:37:23 GMT
Back on Sol's initial post it's such a minefield and when the 'qualified and experienced' person tells you something is right you don't feel you have the knowledge to question it. My pony had a saddle fitted by well known fitter, i knew it didn't fit and consequently continued to use my old one but at 14 just wasn't able to speak up. I heard later of many others unhappy with his fitting too...just goes to show as you say we always need to listen to our horses.
|
|
|
Post by brigadier on Mar 12, 2015 14:13:14 GMT
Loving my new IW dressage saddle, puts me in a fab position, wandering why I put up with the old one for so long!
|
|