Saddle up, part two

In my life, I've ridden a lot of horses, which means also I've ridden in a lot of saddles. 

Not going to lie, I miss some of those saddles almost as much as the horses they belonged to.

Judy's Hermes Steinkraus 💔

I always said that when I got my own horse, I was also going to get a really good saddle, the kind that makes riding a joy because it's so balanced and comfortable. Sadly, I do not feel that way about Olive's Duett. 

A couple weeks ago, my friend, Therese, and I paid a saddle fitter to come to the barn and fit our horses. I was hoping to get an endurance saddle, but Olive's a tough fit. None of Danna's hornless saddles came close to fitting her, but we did find two lightweight Western trail saddles that felt like they might work. The first was a Big Horn trail saddle built on a Haflinger tree. 

Because Olive was reactive while saddling, I put her on the lunge line before I rode in it. She was fine, so I climbed aboard.

This saddle fit Olive really well. She looked cute and rode well in it.

Unfortunately, I didn't love it. It was fine. It had good balance and was comfortable enough. I could have made this work,  but I really wanted to be in love this time. 

So it was onto saddle number two! This was a roughout Cashel Trail saddle with a wide tree. 

Olive looked cute in this one, too.

As soon as I sat in it, I knew it was the one. The seat was so comfortable and the balance was just perfect. Olive liked it, too. As we trotted past one of the barn's trainers, she told me she had never seen Olive move so freely through her shoulders. On the next pass, she told me that I was sitting better than usual, too.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

The next day, Seth, Piper and I drove up to Gilcrest to return the Big Horn and pay for the Cashel.

I had not been to this tack shop before. I was very impressed with the selection and service.

Instead of bringing the saddle home with me, I left it there for a few more days to have the stirrups turned. Piper and I picked it at the end of last week.

I've ridden in it almost every day since then.

I could not be more pleased. It's comfortable, balanced and fits both Olive and I perfectly.

I actually love it.

Because I know someone is going to ask, here's a closer look at the turned stirrups.

Instead of hanging parallel to Olive's sides, the stirrups are now permanently set at an angle. This reduces the strain on the rider's knees and ankles and makes the saddle a million times more comfortable. I can not recommend this alteration enough.

Anyway, that's the scoop. Olive is a cowpony and I'm a cowgirl. Who knew?