Pony Demands New Saddle

My Pony needs a new saddle, and no it isn't me that has this desire.  I am content with the synthetic saddle I have.  But Draco isn't, in fact he is sore in a number of places.  I knew when I bought the saddle it was a "bridge saddle".  And bridge is exactly what it is doing.  It now sits on his withers and his loin.  Unfortunately, when you put me in the saddle it puts way to much pressure on him. The Drake monster has filled out and I have been stuffing him into a saddle that is too small and painful for him to have on his back.  When I purchased the saddle he had just turned three and the saddle was suppose to last him a couple of years until he grew, matured and would require something with a better fit.  Well......he has probably needed a better fit for a couple of years (don't even ask me how guilty I feel, I immediately came home and ate bananas and ice cream like that will help take the load off his back). 


It all started with a routine wellness check I had scheduled with  Dr. Kerrie Ridgeway www.ultimatesaddlesolutions.com  for this morning.  Draco had been examined by Dr. Ridgeway a couple of years ago (ok, it was three years ago) and was just fine.  I'm a big believer in wellness checks, particularly since Dr. and Mrs. Ridgeway live in Aiken, SC and don't get out this way that often.  Consequently,  I wanted to have Drake looked at again.   Dr. Ridgeway is a Vet and an equine body worker.  Christine Heraud-Ridgeway is an accomplished rider.  The thing is that Dr. and Mrs. Ridgeway are the real deal - they really do know what they are doing, from the medical and the riders perspective.  I could probably go on forever about the implications of poor saddle fit and health and lameness issues - but I won't.  But I am going to do whatever it takes to get Draco new threads that don't hurt his body.

This chiropractic move has to be done by me and "any new best friend" I can find around the barn for 3 minutes once a day for the next 10 days.  Then done 2-3 times a week till he gets a new saddle.

Pony having acupuncture treatment

Consequently I have my orders.
      No riding for four days
      Two person (make that three, someone has to hold the pony) chiropractic move for 3 minutes a day for
 10 days
      20 minute walk everyday for 4 days
      New saddle

So August 8th, Draco has his very own personal saddle fitter coming to help him try on new clothes to find something that won't hurt him.  In the mean time I will lay off the ice cream and make sure Draco gets his treatments.