4 Year Old: Frustrated / At A Loss (long)

Appy-Girl · 10-19-2009, 12:23 PM

Today when I looked at the saddle fit for her- I really got upset - this is the first time I put this saddle on without a pad and then with just the blanket and looked at it objectively - I know that I said the saddle was checked - however, I have now come to realize that I have been scammed twice now with saddles and the first one that was too big for me and her - well I bartered $300 worth of website work for a saddle that retails for 99.00 and I got $20 for it from the used tack shop - this saddle while it fits me and you are all correct in it NOT fitting her - well the barn owner and another saddle person both said it fit her and guess what I am out $350.00 for it - so I am just feeling even more frustration - grrr.............. ok, well ---- now what to do... in both saddles she did this behavior then it seemed to have gone away.....

Ok well now her breed is an Appy.... yes I know she has no spots but none the less my little girl is a very strong willed Appy.

Alliekk · 10-19-2009, 12:24 PM

If I were you, and I know just how aweful you may be feeling about this (it is soooo horrid that someone lied to you about saddle fit), I would cut my losses, sell the saddle you have now, and buy an older (and by old I mean mid '80s-'90s) well used, yet inexpensive saddle. The older the saddle, the better the quality, IMHO. I'm not generalizing by any means, but even the BIG name sellers like Circle Y have gone down in quality in the last 12ish years. I just bought a mid-'80s Circle Y and boy-oh-boy does my horse love it!!! Even the ugly, older arabian saddles are better made than the one you were duped into purchasing. So sorry to be blunt, and I hope you take what Shenanigans and I are saying with an open mind.

Appy-Girl · 10-19-2009, 12:41 PM

Hi again - I have given it some thought and I think I am going to sell this saddle and save up for a really good quality one and while I am in that process I will focus on the ground work and her manners - and really figure out what I want to do with her - if I want to go western, do I want hunt seat, I am just not really sure - so to prevent further frustration for both of us.... I am taking the advice of starting over as if I had no idea what she can or cannot do - and give us both some down saddle time. Guess I never knew that saddle shopping or actual buying could be so difficult - I will keep you posted on the new pics and video -----

shenanigans · 10-19-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alliekk

If I were you, and I know just how aweful you may be feeling about this (it is soooo horrid that someone lied to you about saddle fit), I would cut my losses, sell the saddle you have now, and buy an older (and by old I mean mid '80s-'90s) well used, yet inexpensive saddle. The older the saddle, the better the quality, IMHO. I'm not generalizing by any means, but even the BIG name sellers like Circle Y have gone down in quality in the last 12ish years. I just bought a mid-'80s Circle Y and boy-oh-boy does my horse love it!!! Even the ugly, older arabian saddles are better made than the one you were duped into purchasing. So sorry to be blunt, and I hope you take what Shenanigans and I are saying with an open mind.

Again, I agree here. I Love a well used saddle, I have a very wide 17 hh horse & it took me years to find a good used saddle that fit us BOTH comfortably.
If I'm correct in remembering you are from Eastern Canada? It's tougher finding good quality used saddles here in Canada then in the US. (Sorry if I'm wrong)

The appy part of her breeding explains some of her attitude right now, but if you take her back to square 1 with training, that breeding will shine for you once she has her training gaps filled in correctly.

Appy's are notorious for being stubborn (to some people) I find them to be fircely independent & when that bond is achieved you have a priceless partner for life.

For now work with her on ground training, walking with you respecting you, teaching her your boundaries then step by step move forward from there.

The saddle stuff you can do when your not working with her, keep your eyes open, try & get a saddle seller that is willing to let you try the fit before you buy.
Ask questions here, learn, read & understand why certain saddles will suit her & not you or which will fit you both.

You can do this, you have a great start, just keep your mind open & work with her to get her to the other side.
Visualize what you want to achieve then take the steps needed to reach that goal for both of you.

Alliekk · 10-19-2009, 01:12 PM

I openly applaud you for taking everything we say to heart and realising what is best for your pocket book isn't necessarily best for your horse

I really, truly hope you will look to us for more information about saddle fit. I agree with others about finding one that fits. I have a saddle for sale that fits a wide shoulder, 14.5" seat, older Red Ranger brand. AWESOME saddle. Fit my mother's gelding that hardly any saddles fit. Asking $200obo+shipping. No pics at this time, but I can get some up on saturday when I head down for my husbands and step-father's combined birthday party! Good luck in your search!!!

Appy-Girl · 10-19-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alliekk

I openly applaud you for taking everything we say to heart and realising what is best for your pocket book isn't necessarily best for your horse

I really, truly hope you will look to us for more information about saddle fit. I agree with others about finding one that fits. I have a saddle for sale that fits a wide shoulder, 14.5" seat, older Red Ranger brand. AWESOME saddle. Fit my mother's gelding that hardly any saddles fit. Asking $200obo+shipping. No pics at this time, but I can get some up on saturday when I head down for my husbands and step-father's combined birthday party! Good luck in your search!!!

oooooooo! I would love to see pictures. I will literally only have what I sell the saddle for which I paid $350 for it three weeks or so ago and it isn't in horrible shape - and I am putting it up here and on craigs list - If someone can explain how to accurately measure her I can do that tomorrow and get a real understanding of how to fit her.

Alliekk · 10-19-2009, 07:44 PM

Send Southern TrailsG a PM. He has a LOT of knowledge about saddle fit. He also has a template you can use to determine what type of tree would help your progress.

Appy-Girl · 10-20-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alliekk

Send Southern TrailsG a PM. He has a LOT of knowledge about saddle fit. He also has a template you can use to determine what type of tree would help your progress.

Great thank you - I will send him a message and begin the new search for things............... ugh...........

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10-19-2009, 12:23 PM	#21
Appy-Girl Full Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Westfield Massachusetts Posts: 80 Images: 5	Today when I looked at the saddle fit for her- I really got upset - this is the first time I put this saddle on without a pad and then with just the blanket and looked at it objectively - I know that I said the saddle was checked - however, I have now come to realize that I have been scammed twice now with saddles and the first one that was too big for me and her - well I bartered $300 worth of website work for a saddle that retails for 99.00 and I got $20 for it from the used tack shop - this saddle while it fits me and you are all correct in it NOT fitting her - well the barn owner and another saddle person both said it fit her and guess what I am out $350.00 for it - so I am just feeling even more frustration - grrr.............. ok, well ---- now what to do... in both saddles she did this behavior then it seemed to have gone away..... Ok well now her breed is an Appy.... yes I know she has no spots but none the less my little girl is a very strong willed Appy.

10-19-2009, 12:24 PM	#22
Alliekk Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 1,423 Images: 153	If I were you, and I know just how aweful you may be feeling about this (it is soooo horrid that someone lied to you about saddle fit), I would cut my losses, sell the saddle you have now, and buy an older (and by old I mean mid '80s-'90s) well used, yet inexpensive saddle. The older the saddle, the better the quality, IMHO. I'm not generalizing by any means, but even the BIG name sellers like Circle Y have gone down in quality in the last 12ish years. I just bought a mid-'80s Circle Y and boy-oh-boy does my horse love it!!! Even the ugly, older arabian saddles are better made than the one you were duped into purchasing. So sorry to be blunt, and I hope you take what Shenanigans and I are saying with an open mind.

10-19-2009, 12:41 PM	#23
Appy-Girl Full Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Westfield Massachusetts Posts: 80 Images: 5	Hi again - I have given it some thought and I think I am going to sell this saddle and save up for a really good quality one and while I am in that process I will focus on the ground work and her manners - and really figure out what I want to do with her - if I want to go western, do I want hunt seat, I am just not really sure - so to prevent further frustration for both of us.... I am taking the advice of starting over as if I had no idea what she can or cannot do - and give us both some down saddle time. Guess I never knew that saddle shopping or actual buying could be so difficult - I will keep you posted on the new pics and video -----

10-19-2009, 01:12 PM	#25
Alliekk Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 1,423 Images: 153	I openly applaud you for taking everything we say to heart and realising what is best for your pocket book isn't necessarily best for your horse I really, truly hope you will look to us for more information about saddle fit. I agree with others about finding one that fits. I have a saddle for sale that fits a wide shoulder, 14.5" seat, older Red Ranger brand. AWESOME saddle. Fit my mother's gelding that hardly any saddles fit. Asking $200obo+shipping. No pics at this time, but I can get some up on saturday when I head down for my husbands and step-father's combined birthday party! Good luck in your search!!!

10-19-2009, 07:44 PM	#27
Alliekk Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 1,423 Images: 153	Send Southern TrailsG a PM. He has a LOT of knowledge about saddle fit. He also has a template you can use to determine what type of tree would help your progress.