Modelling her saddle

Maddy is showing off her new, used saddle. I bought the Wintec Pro today from Glisan Street Saddlery. Linda is so great over there. She shows Arabians and knows just about everything there is to know about tack. When I first started thinking about getting a new saddle, I was really set on the Wintec Isabell. In talking to Linda, she said when the Isabell first came out she was selling about 20 a month and the maybe 3 Pros. Now she is selling 15 Pros and maybe one Isabell. She says the Isabell really tilts your pelvis forward and very few people can ride in that saddle. She said if you have any type of lower back issues or knee issues, the Isabell is definitely not the saddle for you, go with the Pro. So she talked me into a much more affordable saddle and I lucked out because she had a used 17 1/2 that looked brand new. Yeah!!!

A riding lesson

Finally, after 6 months of ground work, I had my first lesson where I was on her back the whole time. It feels good to be back in the saddle! I am riding in a rope halter and reins and my homework for the week is one rein stops on the rail and lots of walk trot transitions. My trainer wants me to forget about steering and focus on bumps to keep her on the rail and if I want to turn, do it with lots of little bumps. Also, lots of loose rein. That is really hard for me. I hate to give up that feeling of control, but she is doing really well and if she gets going too fast, I just do a one rein stop. Michelle also checked out the used Wintec Pro I am thinking of buying. She liked it and thought it fit perfectly.

Saddle Choices

Linda over at Glisan Street Saddlery in Portland let me take home a Bates Caprilli and a Wintec Pro. I tried both this weekend and I think I like the Wintec better and it is a third the price! I have a lesson tomorrow and going to have my trainer take a look. I rode it the Wintec today and think that is my saddle. It feels really great and I like that the stirrup straps don't have buckles that rub on your inner thigh. I also like the synthetic fabric so I don't have to clean it and I like how you kind of "stick" to it. This is the first saddle I have bought for myself, so I am excited to get something that fits perfectly.