Okay I found two saddle pads on sale and got two different kinds because the fleece saddle pad I've been using is built for a more forward flap so it wrinkles if I'm not really careful. I got a pad that is shaped for Aussie saddles and a square pad. Let me know which one you guys like better. They are both wool so they are great for absorbing sweat.
You might have to click to enlarge the pictures. I forgot to get pictures without me on him.
This is the one built for the Aussie saddle. I think I need to adjust it a little because the flap isn't matching up with the pad perfectly, but I think that was me more that it.
Here is the square pad. Please ignore my horrible farmer's tan. Was not planning on riding or getting my picture taken lol. Hubby caught us both with our eyes closed. Chrome was bored and falling asleep lol.
I rode him around in both to see how he moved with them.
At the trot he was great...
I finally got pictures of him crowhopping. Reins were too long!
Also notice how his hind legs are together?
... at the canter he was crowhopping. I was so disappointed thinking it's because he hated the pads, but he was the same in his normal pad, he was short striding in the canter, he could only hold the canter a few strides and his stifle gave out twice so I'm pretty sure the crowhopping is because I haven't been riding and his stifles are weak. He was throwing himself into the trot too which he only does when his stifles are acting up. So it's back to some long, slow trail rides to build him back up before I do anymore cantering. He just can't have breaks without exercise...
Oh and I forgot to mention when I dewormed him last weekend he weighed 1300lbs!!!!! Holy crap I knew he was fat right now, but I didn't realize it was that bad!! He's also out about four holes on his girth. Yeah he HAS to start getting some exercise!.
Anyway I'm sorry again for not having a helmet on. Let me know which pad you like better. I'm going to try them both out some more for longer rides and try cantering again once he's strengthened his stifles up. I couldn't tell anything from his sweat marks because it was only a twenty minute ride and he didn't sweat much.
I like whichever pad Chrome likes, but it sounds like he's got other behavior issues, so it's hard to tell. In the first picture where his hind end is behind the tree, it looks like he's full-on bucking. Lostine used to crow hop into her canter, and I corrected it by saying, "No!" firmly and smacking her with the riding crop. The first few times she responded by bucking, but it did eventually break the habit. In her case, she was just trying to intimidate me, so I had to let her know that was not okay. Back in those days people told me that if I kept the horse's head up, she couldn't buck. That's not true. If I pull her head around with one rein, it makes bucking more difficult, but as long as the head is straight, the horse can still buck.
ReplyDeleteIt's not behaviorial. Crowhopping is very common with stifle problems. The pictures were from the first canter. The three or four times I cantered him after that he didn't do it, but he was very hunched up and short strided. When he's being ridden regularly he doesn't do it at all. His stifle also gave out twice during this ride and the one before. What had me worried was that crowhopping cam also be a sign of poor saddle fit but when his stifle gave out it reminded me that this has happened before. I'll just go on long walking rides for a while before I try cantering him again.
DeleteP.S. I did correct him! I jerked his head up and yelled at him. He immediately went back to trotting. After trotting I asked him to canter again and he did but he could only hold it a stride or two. I've noticed his stifle get worse at this time of year and I think it's because I don't ride much in the winter and because the flies have come out and he kicks at them. I'm pretty sure that makes him sore. I'm definitely going to try the pads out more to see which he prefers. I'm also going to check him for back soreness today but I doubt I rode long enough for him to be sore even if one was uncomfortable. On our next ride I won't use both pads. That will make it easier to determine if he prefers one to the other. :-)
DeleteYour disclaimer cracked me up. I have done that (forgotten that I wasn't wearing a helmet). Glad I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteThe crow hopping photo is nicely timed. What a sassy boy! You look so centered and balanced through it all! Well ridden :)
I'm glad I'm not the only one to completely forget!! Thanks for the compliments!! The funny thing is it looks so much bigger than it feels... weird!
Deletei think either is fine - tho i kinda like the square pad. and sassy Chrome looks like he wants to go back to work!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm leaning toward the square one too.... hmm.... yes Chrome needs some work!!! :D
DeleteAh crow hopping. Glad I don't have that anymore! I like both pads :)
ReplyDeleteRub it in, rub it in hehehehe. I'm glad you don't either! Chrome was doing so much better about it until I went a long time without riding. I really think it's his stifles. He only does it the first one or two strides, then he canters, although with a really short stride. I saw his stifle give out while he was playing in the pasture today so I really need to get back on top of his exercise and strengthening!
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