Internet, Give me your opinions!

In my boredom over the last few days and weeks, I've magically gotten it into my head that my 18.5" dressage saddle really needs a larger half pad than my current Thinline Trifecta (no rolls) in Medium. One of my friends swears up and down I need the full sheepskin comfort pad, but I'm not sure I'm totally sold on that.

So, Internet... What does your horse wear for a half pad, and why? 

My needs for the dressage saddle are (currently, until it sees the saddle fitter) rear shims to raise the balance just a little bit. I don't feel a ton of difference in Bailey with or without them, but I kind of like the little bit of change I feel in my own position when using them. I strongly prefer my Trifecta pad to the Contour pad I have simply because it stays up off of the withers better, but I do always have it as a fall back...

Over used pre-saddle fitter photo.

Basically, send help. And please, please, add your voice in the comments below!

Monday Catch Up

One day I'll get on the rockin year recap post train... Until then, here's what's been going on in #feralredhorse world.  It was really cold the last week, and it was so cold yesterday that the horses got left inside. I stepped away to see if I could find Foxie some more hay and heard a crash:

I walked back around the corner to find the above piglet, being a pig. Before it got way too cold to function, I also rode my horses (Wednesday). I lunged them before, because they just stand around outside and don't move, so we end up with shenanigans as they stretch and play. Bailey turned it up a notch, though:

My horse is such a special animal, guys.

On the holidays front, I appear to be drowning my bored winter sorrows in horse stuff. While I still need to pick up the faux Micklem I'm getting in trade from a friend, I've been making up for the lack of it by buying other stuff. I got a new bit (14 mm is really different from 16 mm, guys. Totally) and some FANTASTIC new breeches in the mail from Smartpak recently, thanks in part to Amanda from Bel Joeor since I won an amazing gift card from her clipping contest. I got the Smartpak Piper with Silicone full seat, and guys... I love them. Review to come once I've ridden in them, but I spent an evening prancing around in them because they fit like a glove and that's amazing in of itself.

Other than the bit and breeches, I also finally jumped on the #BLING train around Black Friday thanks to Amelia and Dark Jewel Designs. She's been amazingly patient as I tried to figure out what I want, and I can't WAIT to get my lovely browbands in the mail:

LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL THINGS

I already have more plans in the works for a black/brown pearl strand to match my Visions, and will probably reprise a few of the other red/green designs, because I can't get enough of the Christmas colors. I know I'm getting some very special horsey gifts from my family, as well, and it makes me so very happy. I already have neglected to mention my birthday presents from my wonderful hubby, my beloved Ariat Braemar boots (I know, I need to review them...), OneK Skull Cap (reviewed!) and Centaur Fox boot bag. He clearly knows the way to my heart.

Tonight, because the world has made a climb back above 0, I plan to ride both mares. I might jump Bailey again, depending on how windy the walk to the upper barn is. Otherwise, I got my Vision Dressage back from the fitter friend who did a lot of flocking work, and I'm interested to see how much she could do with it. Warmer temps mean  that I might actually get some photos and video to break up my wall of text posts, too! 

Catching Up

Once again, time is getting away from me. Since I last posted, the saddle has arrived(!!!) and I've ridden in it twice now. I haven't been getting the ride time I've been wanting since the hubs has been travelling for work this week, but it's been productive enough. In addition to needing some flocking work (which hopefully I will get accomplished in trade after shooting some really lovely photos for a local saddle fitter on Monday) the saddle also needed some MAJOR reconditioning.

Here's the saddle out of the box after some cleaning with an Effax spray I picked up this summer after having some major mold problems in the humidity. This saddle had some traces of mold, and the seller did mention already cleaning some off, so I went to work. It was very marked up under the leathers and was extremely dry and stiff.

At this point, I was very "FOR SCIENCE" and decided to try Effax Leather Soft on one flap, and Leather Therapy conditioner on the other. As much as I like the idea of the Leather therapy... the Effax is a lot more satisfying for my needs. The saddle legitimately drinks the Effax up and it has consumed the half bottle I had remaining. The saddle did darken, to the point where the flaps are very dark with black knee pads (even darker than they are below), but the skirt areas have stayed a lovely red brown. 

As I said above, I traded some photography for flocking from a local fitter starting out, and I'm hoping she is able to pull some flocking out of the wither, plump up the rear panel and generally smooth out the panels, which kind of have the consistency of cottage cheese. I think with some flocking work, the saddle will be just about perfect. I'm already in love with it, and it's not even optimally balanced yet:

It's a touch narrower than my jump saddle, but I am hoping that resolves with flocking. Both mares moved nicely in it and while there was some bucking from both girls my first ride, I am attributing it to the cold wind blowing up their booties vs the saddle. Am I biased? Probably. But I'm obsessed. And not sorry.

While rides have been light this week, the saddle is getting coated in oil in an attempt to soften up the stiff flaps and ensure that the panels are supple enough to withstand flocking and fitting tools without getting damaged. I'm going to see what I can dig up shim wise to see if I can even it out a bit more while continuing to try it out. I'm also planning to stop by the tack shop and take out their Micklem bridle they have for trials. While I probably won't buy a real one when a friend is selling a much more reasonably priced knock off, it will be good to find out if I need one, or if I can pull off sticking a snaffle back on one of my regular bridles for shows. I've had lots of time for conjecture this week... so I am hoping I have more time for riding next!