On 11/25/2020 1:10 PM, Pam Mail wrote:

Hi Cathy,
I received the saddle last Friday. Tried it out in our training pen Saturday taking your precautions. It felt pretty good. I made some adjustments to stirrup length and position. Sunday I decided to put it to a real test and we went on a 3-hour trail ride. Road and track with some up, down, around and through challenges at 3 gaits. My horse was happy and relaxed throughout. I felt more and more comfortable, finding my seat and settling into the new feel.

Cathy’s Response: WEEEEE

I had to use a girth with elastics, albeit very stiff elastics. I felt the saddle did list to the right somewhat on the way back, more noticeable when walking. This is usual when I ride.

Cathy’s Response: YOU MAY NEED TO SHORTEN THE REAR OF THE SADDLES RIGGING AND LENGTHEN THE FRONT.  MAKE SURE YOU ARE EQUAL ON BOTH SIDES

Back home, Roma’s back was completely dry but the hair a bit ruffled in a couple of spots.  She now has a good winter coat. From reading your material this sounds as expected. I’ll get another girth and pay extra attention to saddle placement before I cinch up next time.

Cathy’s Response: YES AT THIS TIME OF YEAR THE WOOL SOX HAVE SUCH A LOVELY BREATH-ABILITY THAT THE WHOLE BACK CAN BE DRY.

All in all, so far I love it. The leather quality is wonderful as promised. The seat is a perfect fit for me. I like the depth of seat, which offset the slight initial feeling of being a in suspension above the tree. However the more I rode the more secure I felt and settled down into a close contact with my horse. I needed to concentrate less and less on keeping my legs long into the stirrups so as not to lose them.

Cathy’s Response: I KNEW YOU WOULD LOVE IT.  I DO!

I watched your video before trying the saddle. Very interesting and informative. Your girls are lovely. Some new tips and many good reminders. I just read over the written material again.

Cathy’s Response: THANK YOU

Questions:
Do I understand correctly that this saddle was fabricated after 2010 therefore inserts need no regular oiling and panels need no maintenance?

Cathy’s Response: IF THE SADDLE HAS SILVER WASHERS THEN YES YOU HAVE TO OIL, BUT WE UPDATED EVERY THING.  BUT CHECK ANYWAY.

My greatest regret will be riding a very dusty horse with this beautiful white merino pad directly on her back! Can I use a thin felt or cotton pad during those times of the year that it’s impossible to wash out the deep grime from the horse? Our “winter weather” usually lasts from November to April.

Cathy’s Response: YES YOU CAN ESPECIALLY DURING THE SHEDDING PERIOD.  HOWEVER DRAW UP THE PAD BETWEEN THE PANELS SO THAT WHEN THE SADDLE IS CINCHED DOWN YOU CAN STILL GET TWO FINGERS BETWEEN THE SPINE AND THE PAD.  YOU WANT NOTHING TO BIND THE SPINE AS IT WILL BE DISCOMFORTING TO THE HORSE.

If you’d prefer I call, let me know. Thanks again,

Cathy’s Response: YOU ARE MOST WELCOME.  IT IS THANKSGIVING HERE IN THE USA, SO WE ARE ALL THROWING OUR DIETS TO THE WIND.

 PAM MAIL, SATISFIED CUSTOMER