December 2024
Happy shopping season! I have held off on sending this email because I know everyone is being bombed with these emails. Black Friday Sales, Cyber Monday Sales, 15% Off Sitewide, Offer Ends Soon, 70% Off, Black Friday Deals, 2 For 1 Cyber Monday, EXTENDED Black Friday Deals, 20% Off or $10 Cash, Last Chance, Final Hours……
I was just thinking as I go through and delete all these emails that saddle fitting is exactly the same thing. Save now so you don't have to pay more later. No, I am not having a sale. Just don't think it is fair to the clients that purchased pads or saddles last week to put them on sale this week. What I mean is that having a proper fitting saddle is an investment now that will save you money in the long run.
Sometimes I hear “I can't afford one of your saddles.” But, I think if money is a concern, you can't afford not to have a good saddle. Last week, I met a lady. She is making a living riding, training horses and giving lessons. We all know someone like that. There is definitely not a lot of money in this profession but we do it because we love it. She has a hard to fit horse but can't afford a saddle that fits.
Do you realize how much money it could cost in the long run to ride that horse with a bad saddle? First thing that comes to my mind is vet bills, not to mention the body worker, special saddle pads, medication, feed and supplements. When that horse starts having lameness issues we call the vet and the body worker. When that horse can't seem to develop a topline, we start looking at feed and fat supplements. All that adds up pretty darn quick.
What about if the horse misbehaves because it is reacting to the saddle? She actually mentioned sending it off to a trainer. That's not cheap. What about the student that is riding the horse and not having fun so gives up riding or worse, heaven forbid a student gets hurt. Or what if the instructor gets hurt. If you can't afford a saddle, you definitely can't afford to get hurt.
Here is a great story that I would like to share from a rider in Spruce Creek, Jamestown, TN.. She has one of the new Peter Horobin Bondi Dressage Saddles. I collect testimonials and put them on the website so if you have a story you would like to share, please do.
“Hey Terry! Hope you're having a good weekend! The weather here is perfect/amazing today so I spent my morning riding Blesi. Just wanted to let you know I am loving my new Peter Horobin saddle. And Blesi seems to like it as well--that's a win for us! Yay! I've ridden in it several times since you delivered it (have not used my Specialized at all!) and the more I use it the more I love it. It really creates a secure seat for me. Blesi and I were out and about riding a couple weeks ago when he spooked. He did a small rear up and then spun around in a circle before I got him to settle down. I had no problem staying put in my seat during his spook behavior. Never felt like I was going to go airborne! Anyway, thank you for introducing me to this great saddle and, of course, your expert saddle fitting work--very apreciated Terry! Happy Thansgiving! ”
Christine Costes-Sportes
One more story and I will let you get back to preparing for Christmas. I came across this post from Scot MacGregor in a Gaited Horse FB Group. He was responding to a lady's question about starting a horse under saddle at 18 months of age as it seems to be the norm in a lot of barns. Scot's answer was pretty amazing, so I asked him if I could share it.
Obviously, the plug for Specialized Saddles is appreciated but I also absolutely love his plan for starting young horses. When asking for advice/opinions in the horse world we should always consider the source. Well, I think you will have a hard time finding a better source then Scot MacGregor! If you don't know him check out this video. Scot says,
"A good horse was always in training. I can't recommend ponying enough. Get the baby used to you being above him at riding height. Pony on trails.
At 2 sit on them briefly once a week and pet them to sooth them. Get on and off from a tall mounting block so there is no sideways pull on their spine. Keep ponying regularly.
At 2 ½ ride to teach turning and stopping and when to go from a halt. 10 minutes of gaiting is fine. There is no suspension to the gait so leg impact is minimal compared to a trotter.
At 3 ride for 30 minutes no cantering. At 3 ½ brief canter circles and short trail exposure under an hour.
At 4 ride as you choose but keep trail rides to a few hours.
At 5 ride…
Gaited horses are very impacted by saddles that don't fit and will pace. Use a saddle fitter and try out Specialized Saddles. I would defer to Keith Kibler for all endurance advice. He is the best."
Scot MacGregor
Thank you Scot! And thank you for reading and sharing my enewsletter. The finest compliment is that of a referral and I truly appreciate every single one.
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!!
Talk To You Soon,
Terry Peiper, Fit Right Saddle Solutions