New Australian Pad

Checked the saddle position tonight.  Clear the shoulder blade and don't extend past the last rib.  With her short back, not much margin for error.  Then looked at how the new saddle pad seemed to work.  I think it's going to work fine.  3/8 inch wool felt with about 1/4 inch felt shims under the bars of the saddle.  It's going to sit higher than the old foam pad, even with my fat butt on her. That raised the saddle up high enough to keep the skirt from putting pressure on her back without being as thick as the typical western pad.

Forgot to readjust the breast collar.  Oh well, can do before the next ride.  Hopefully it'll cool off soon so we won't bake on the trail.

Sore Spot

I've had my little Rocky Mountain mare for 2 years.  What a great little trail horse.  Earlier this summer I noticed a small sore near her spine above her hip bone.  That spot roughly lines up with the back of the saddle skirt.

When I first got her I had a cheap western saddle that when used with a good pad worked for my other horse.  It didn't even come close to fitting the little Rocky, so I purchased an Australian saddle that was adjusted to fit her.  I also bought an Australian pad.  The pad was thin foam with wool cloth on both sides.  The saddle slid all over the place, partially due to my poor riding.

I replaced that pad with one that was also thin foam but with ribbed polymer next to the horse.  No more sliding around, but the sore spot appeared.  The 17 inch Australian is great for me but may be a bit long for my short backed horse.

I now have a wool felt pad that's 3/8 inch thick and has pockets for felt shims that will lift the saddle a bit off her back, or can be used to change the fit.  I don't know if the shims are needed.  The less compressible felt may lift the saddle enough to eliminate the sore.  I'll find out this weekend.

Granddaughter => New Son

Yesterday I held my new great grandson for the very first time.  He's very tiny and only 2 weeks old.
Hard to believe I've gotten this old.

Nostalgia

A week ago yesterday we spent the afternoon at my eldest sons place.  He has 7-1/2 acres and a dirt hill, bullet stop, at the back.  His 11 year old son has done some plinking with a child sized 22 single shot, but never shot a handgun before.  I pulled out an old Charter Arms revolver as a teaching aid.  I did some of the instruction with my son doing most of the teaching.  Doesn't seem that long ago that I was showing him the ropes.  Now he's working with his son.  Nostalgia!