Revelation - Goodbye Saddle

I have had enough of the saddle not fitting 'Mr F' and he clearly was unhappy with it. A horse that walks off when I turn up with the saddle is not a good sign.

Of the 4 saddles that I had tried, this barry swain dressage saddle was the only one that I found reasonably comfortable. It was the flattest among them all, neither cantle nor pommel where trying to force you back into a position. It also didn't have knee rolls or any other irritating 'bump' that are meant to 'aid' the rider. The stirups where reasonably well positioned for me, not too far forward and not too far backwards. 

Despite it fitting my shape OK-ish, it never really fitted 'Mr F' even though I had a saddle fitter (used to visit and do a group of us) work on the saddle 3 times, it never seemed right. It kept slipping backwards uphill and when going downhill it clearly irritated 'Mr F'. This may also be to do with me being uncomfortable in the saddle still. I just never could find a good balance, I was riding the saddle first before riding the horse. In other words, the saddle was in my way. That is the conclusion I reached.

There was no point continuing like this. In view of my observations and my lack of budget, another way had to be found to ride and the obvious answer was to go without. I asked 'Lillian' if she wanted the saddle back. 'Yes sure, I have plenty of horses and know people with horses. I might use the saddle on one of mine.' 

'Lillian' asked me if I wanted to share a lesson with her. I said 'yes' as the menage seemed a safe place to try and see if 'Mr F' might accept me on his bare back. 

I was very much looking forward to it, although with slightly mixed feelings: how will it feel? Will 'Mr F' accept me as rider without padding in between?

When we arrived at the menage I was greeted by 'Rupert' with:
"Where is your saddle?" 

"We no longer have a saddle. I am fed up with not having it fitting proberly. We are going bareback." Was my reply.

"Ok, on you get then!" 'Rupert' said with a mischievous grin.
I knew he was grinning, partly because he knew what i was in for and also because it was going to be 'interesting'  to watch me get on ... 

I 'parked' 'Mr F' parallel to the fence and he very willingly stood still while I was climbing the fence in preparation to get on. There I was, balancing on the fence, looking at 'Mr F's bare back. "I hope you don't mind my friend ..." And I got on.

We stood still for some time so that 'Mr F' could get used to the new feeling of the rider right on his skin. He did not seem to mind but wriggled a bit, just like me. I guess he was telling me to get into the right position. I moved around a little until I found a spot that seemed perfect for both.

Then we went into walk ... and WOW! What a difference in 'Mr F's gait! I noticed it straight away ... his movement was free and soft.

And what freedom for me! Finally I could sit in a position that was natural for my body. I was no longer fighting the saddle or the stirrups but was able to deal with the main part of it, the horse. It was a fantastic feeling being so close to him. 

We did some walking and then 'Rupert' made us trot. Seeing that both of us where OK with that too he then asked for a canter! He wouldn't do so if he wouldn't think I could do it. But at this point I refused as I wanted to get to grips with the purity of it first.

At last there was no obstruction between us. And with that I was directly 'connected' this his every move and breath.  I immediately noticed that I must not resist his movements or I would be out of balance. My body was now his. No longer did I feel like a 'passenger', instead I was now directly part of it.

I felt straight away much MUCH more balanced and enjoyed the freedom of my legs. I had them gently wrapped around 'Mr F's body and he didn't seem to mind the direct contact.

In fact he was very eager to trot and I know he would have cantered in no time would I have let him. He seemed to enjoy this new freedom quite a bit ...

I no longer seemed to be obstructing his movements and I also was feeling A LOT SAFER than when riding with the saddle. Simply because now I didn't have to concentrate on those damn stirrups. It all seemed much simpler from a positioning point of view and certainly more natural.

I also noticed that my body now was using muscles it wasn't used to be using, mainly the inner thigh muscles. It was straight away clear to me that my main work will be coming from the hips, or as it seems to be called 'the core'. While nature wasn't very giving in terms of giving me height or a volumptuous figure, it has equipped me what I need, an athletic and sublte body. That may have been supported by me spending most of my childhood / teenage years in the Swiss mountains either hiking or skiing, as well as iceskating. No good having a fit horse if you as a rider are not equally fit. Mind you, despite 'Mr F's age, he still is miles ahead of me in terms of fitnesss, I am quite sure.

Sitting trott will be the biggest challenge. 

His rather high withers also are making things a little tricky, it was time to go looking for a good bareback pad to pad both our bones.

Going bareback wasn't a desision I made at a whim, I did some lenghthy researching online and spoke to various professional people that work with horses. Here again, what annoyed me when young was now perfect: being only 5 feet tall was now coming in handly and with a weight between 7-8 Stones I should be OK for 'Mr F' to carry. I just must fine tune my body and learn to be with his moment.

I am so glad that I made this decision.

A Dismal 'Horsewoman' - PAY ATTENTION!

Indeed, this last week I had yet another lesson in "listen to your horse".

Last week 'Lillian' and I had met up for one of our rides out with 'the boys' ('Mr F' and 'Luke'). 'Mr F' had lately been fairly displeased by the sight of the saddle.

The same happened this time, and he actually was very fidgity while I was cleaning his hooves. He normally does not at all care if the other horses are around while I groom him.

He only ever fidgets or is unruley if he is feeling unwell or something bothers him.

I was in a fairly grumpy mood myself and upon seeing that he wasn't going to calm down I was in a good mind to put him back into the stable and give it all a miss. But as it didn't just involve me, I got my bearings together and continued tacking up 'Mr F'.

After much hu-ha and cursing under my breath (I did say I was in a grumpy mood!) we finally got onto the road. 

As normal, 'Mr F' was perfectly behaved on the ride. We took a route that we hadn't used for some,  with beautiful views. 'Mr F' seemed to begin to enjoy the ride.

If the terrain would be steep uphill, I would dismount and lead, mainly because the saddle keeps slipping backwards but more about that in a minute ...

We were getting near home when suddenly 'Mr F' went lame. I dismounted and walked with him the last few yards back to the farm.  'Mr F' was clearly uncomfortable.

I took off his hoof boots to see if there perhaps had been a stone lodged somewhere but there was nothing. The boots are in fact very 'stone' proof. However, I noticed that the crack on his front hoof had got worse suddenly. I was certain that it didn't look this bad before we left!

Being still inexperienced in these matters, I was asking around for other people's oppinions but they dismissed the crack as the cause of his lameness. He had a hightened pulse above his fetlock, so we were suspitious of a tendon injury, although I still thought it had something to do with that crack.

Luckily 'Mr F's barefoot trimmer lady was due later on the same day so I would ask her also. She wasn't due until some time later and so I put 'Mr F' in the stable to rest with 'Luke' as companion. First I  did hose down his foot with cold water, just in case it was some inflamed.

2 hours later, when the barefoot trimmer (shiobhan) arrived, I walked 'Mr F' up and down the road; he still showed clear discomfort in his front foot where the crack was.

We discussed causes for the problem but she couldn't possibly take the position of a Vet. 'Mr F' was showing signs of mild discomfort while she trimmed the hoof on that lame leg.

The barefoot trimmer lady was just about finished when we noticed some fluid under 'Mr F's hoof with the crack. The stable floor was sparkly clean and the floor was dry (I prepared it prior to the trimmer lady's arrival) before we started working so it could have only come from that hoof. She picked up his foot again and did some 'serious' squeezing with the pressure point tool (I don't know the exact terminology!) around the area where the crack was and low and behold: more fluid came out!

It appears that we had gotten ourselves an abscess, this was  a first for us. I was pleased it was 'just' an abscess though.

So, it was time for me to learn how to make a poultice. The barefoot trimmre lady kindly talked me through the basic idea of hoof soaking, wrapping etc.

The first couple of days I soaked his foot in some warm water with some epsom salt and cleaned it with hibiscrub. I don't like the though of soaking a hoof continuously so I filled only as much water so as to cover up to the cracked section.

The following days I soaked some cotton wool in epsom salt water. Each morning, when I examined the cotton pad, I did notice some further sticky smelly fluid that had come out. After about 3-4 days it stopped at last.

The first poultice took ages but I fairly soon got the hang of it and made improvements. It has kept his foot dry and clean (no sweating).

'Mr F' is a star: he stands still perfectly, for the entire duration of each treatment. For much of it I have to rest his leg on my thigh as I need both hands to get it done quicker and he is fine with it all.

 He even deals with the soaking just fine.

The poultice inner layer: straps of cotton wool, fastened in place with Vet wrap, but carefully placed so not to cut off the blood stream ...

.. more cotton wool, loosely wrapped around the pastern to keep his leg dry and stop mud from getting in ...

The final outer layer ... empty plastic feed bags and good old duct tape.

Above the hoof crack as it was before the ride ...

... and after the ride ... see the horizontal line? This wasn't there before the ride.

The hoof is such a complicated topic ... 'no hoof no horse' ... and although 'Mr F's feet are in good shape nowadays, this crack takes ages to grow out and I have a suspition that actually it is being caused by a bad posture, i.e. pressure on his toe due to incorrect movement. I am not sure ...


So, at the end of the day I said to 'Lillian' "I am a dismal horsewoman! 'Mr F' made every effort in telling me something is wrong right from the start. What an ignorant horsewoman I am!"

'Mr F's Racing Days

Today we watched a video showing 'Mr F' during one of his races. 

I invited some of my riding mates over for nibbles and drinks while watching the video footage and we all were cheering on 'Mr F' even though this had been recorded some 8 years ago.

It was fascinating to watch even though I am not keen on horseracing. Some horses do look scared out of their minds, yet there is the odd one that really seems to love it, surprisingly.

The jockeys were using their whips madly to 'encourage' their horses. However, the jockey that was riding 'Mr F' seemed to have him figured out. They loooked like they had a good understanding of each other. Not once did he have to use the whip. 

'Mr F' was at the back of the pack for quite some time (now that I know 'Mr F', I can see why ...)

'Mr F' with the jockey in blue gear ...

... still at the back ...

... a very attentive 'Mr F' ... 

... coming forward ...

 ... moving in ...

'Mr F' was at one point very crowded and I could see him to exactly the same head shake as he does when he herds others in front of him or when he wants to be at the front of a group. 

 Not once did 'Mr F's jockey have to use his whip. And throughout the ride I noticed that the jockey's posture  was extremely well balanced, steady and calm. They seem to be a good team.

I have to say I am intrigued by 'Mr F's jockey ... he seems very connected with 'Mr F' ... and praises him a lot after the race. To let him go at the end, he just leans forward more and lets go of the reins.

Exactly what I had noticed to be encouraging 'Mr F' when we cantered / galloped up that hill on our first group ride. As soon as I stood up in the saddle and let go of the reins, 'Mr F' knew he was allowed to go for it!

It looks as though he was actually enjoying the racing. 

His competitor was beating up his horse all along, the other horse looked very tired already.

'Mr F' seems quite pleased with himself ... and I admire the balance of these jockeys ...

A deserving pat from a caring jockey and a fairly chilled 'Mr F' ...

Another Group Ride

Another quick entry, hopefully filling in more text later time allowing:

After the last two experiences I am not exactly eager to join any other group rides.  But I feel I need to do it so that 'Mr F' can learn that a group of horses doesn't mean he has to race.

'Mr F' is still sweating up when travelling in the trailer but was quite relaxed when we unloaded. He certainly looked interested enough, I know he likes seeing new places, and so do I.

The ride was reasonably relaxing - although 'Mr F' did much jogging for the first 40 minutes. This time I had my temper under control and stayed calm by just accepting the situation.  I did once try a neck strap but that made no difference whatsoever! 

We were only 7 riders and all of them were riders in control of their horses. This was great because finally 'Mr F' was part of a group that was calm. 

Towards the end of the ride, he too was quite calm. Overall it was a good ride out for 'Mr F'.

The boys are nowadays very chilled in the trailer. 

 An evening stroll over the fields with 'Mr F' ...

 .. ending with a beautiful sunset.

The Bitless Topic

Today I had a riding lesson all by myself, for an entire hour.  I wanted to have some 'drilling' in regards to contact and the 'finer' nuances' thereof.

There was much talk about being 'on the bit'. I admit I very much struggle with this and I think it will take me a looong time to fully understand the purpose of it although I don't think I ever will.

It doesn't seem natural. If I can be natural, why can't the horse also be natural?

'Mr F' does really fight any 'hard' contact via the reins. I figured right from the start that he is much more at ease if I ride  him with only very soft contact. By now, most of my directing aids are done via leg and hip rather than by bit/reins.  

I would prefer to go bitless but I don't yet have a well enough established partnership with 'Mr F' to do so safely when out on the roads. In fact I wonder if that will ever be possible as he can be very temperamental.

The bit is very useful as an 'emergency' stop or if there is an argument between us with regards to which direction we are going ('napping' - although that is rare and only happens if I have neglected our groundwork routines and when I take his cooperation for granted.)

I did have a look around for various bitless bridles but they mostly function via pressure on the nose or under the chin, neither of which I like. 

Sometimes I have the rope headcollar under the bridle when we go out just so I can take off the bridle when we stop at a pub. I have on one occasion attached reins to the rope head collar and 'Mr F' reacted immediately. However, because of the knots going over nerve points I am still a bit hesitant to use it.

Right now I am using a lovely, wide and soft leather bridle without noseband. I do have a chin strap which is only there to stop the bit from slipping through the mouth in case there is a disagreement between myself and 'Mr F'.  The bit is a KK Sprenger (Augirian) which I bought 2nd hand (almost brand new though) and 'Mr F' is perfectly fine with it.

It will have to do for now. I have soft hands but if there is a 'napping' situation it is up to 'Mr F' how much discomfort he fancies putting up with. But as I said; most of times we work together.

This will be a topic that is bound to hang around for a while yet ...

The Dyson Among Hoof Boots

With all the snow and now ice, going out was a little tricky and therefore it was time for hoof boot maintenance.

I do still think that the Renegades Hoof Boot is a fantastic boot. What I like most about it is that it does not rub anywhere.

The only minor downside is perhaps that it is a little tricky to make them fit perfectly so that they don't come off. We have been on rides through a quarry on very uneven ground and the entire ride the boots held on.

But on other occasions, for example in deep and heavy mud, the boots have come off every time. Therefore I am still experimenting a little with the fitting.  'Mr F' has a fairly unusual hoof size, with them being a little wider than long (looking at size charts, is seems to be the other way round in most cases). This particular pair of Renegade Hoof Boots I managed to buy 2nd hand and I was very lucky that they are a cut back version.

The boot originally would have been too long, but the next size down would have been to narrow. Now with these being the largest available size and cut back, they are fine length wise but just a little too wide, which on uneven terrain will make him slipp a little inside the boot. And I am sure quite like us, wearing boots that are too big while moving over difficult terrain makes us feel unsteady because we slip around inside the boot. It must be the same for 'Mr F'. And I was now trying to work on a solution.

Prior to purchase, I had been reading up as much info as I could find. There are huge groups of eventers that use these boots without issues. Some complained that stones would get into the boots but I have not had this problem. Only very tiny pieces may get in every now and then but they are more sand like and only around the hoof wall, not on the underneath. 

I am impressed by the fact that every single piece of the boot is replaceable. You can take it completely appart - just like a Dyson and I have taken appart many a Dyson in the past for repairs! Besides: I like dismantleing and assembling 'things' and to learn how something 'works'.

I needed new wires on one boot and the replacement parts had arrived today. 

The boots have seen a lot of road, mud and stone and I am glad I took them appart - the path of the wires were coated with small dirt particles and the wire wasn't moving smoothly around the pulley buttons. The cable loops around each side of the heel captivator where blocked with dirt as well.

I removed the rubber gel insole, it had only been glued on in the center and had started to come off, making it uncomfortable for 'Mr F'. I have glued small pieces of hard plastic to the inside sides of the boots to make them a little narrower (they are about 5mm too wide). Hopefully this helps for an even better fit.

Every loose part on the above picture can be replaced, which is fantastic! This makes the fairly steep price of the boot - £90.00 per boot when new - worth it. I got our pair for £120.00 second hand and already cut-back and they had hardly been used.

The quality of the hoof shell is excellent. I am hoping to find a pair for his back feet, too.

They do look quite futuristic and remind me a little of 'Robocop' ...