Need holiday wardrobe advice!

[1mrc]

I am just booking our summer holiday (a week riding across sunny Wales with a group of friends) and one of the group has asked what saddle I will use as its too far to do in a treeless. I have a phoenix, but will be upgrading to a vogue before summer. It has never entered my head that I wouldn't be able to use this saddle. So anyone had experience of this. Our longer days will be just over 20 miles but mainly about 12-15 a day.

Also what pad would be best? I know it comes down to personal preference, and will be doing several weekends away to test equipment but would welcome advice. I just want to do whats best for little Gaela!   (ps I will be doing my fair share of walking too)
 

[Fiona]

We regularly ride ours out for those kinds of distances, using our treeless saddles because that's what the horses are used to.  As long as you build up the distance gradually you should be fine in her regular saddle - just don't go from doing one or two hour rides up to a 20 miler in one go! (I'm sure you wouldn't anyway).  As you say, getting off and walking from time to time will restore the circulation in her back (and your bum  )

I think the Smart panels offer excellent pressure distribution, I haven't had the Smart panel long enough to test it personally over long distances, but I have ridden many day-rides in the suberpanel Fhoenix with no ill effects whatsoever.

IMHO suddenly switching to a different saddle and then riding for many miles has far greater potential for causing trouble than using a treeless saddle that the horse is accustomed to.

Fiona

[happy-horses]

I think the Smart panels offer excellent pressure distribution, I haven't had the Smart panel long enough to test it personally over long distances, but I have ridden many day-rides in the suberpanel Fhoenix with no ill effects whatsoever.

Does that mean they are out now? 

[double trouble]

Hi,

I did several pleasure/endurance rides last year in my vogue just at starter level so between 12 and 20 miles.
My horse did not suffer any ill effects at all and was actually fresh as a daisy on completion/vet trot up etc. and showed no signs of muscle soreness or stiffness the next day either
I used a thick pure lambswool pad Mattes or Christ (latter are German I think) are fantastic for a bit of extra protection .
As Fiona said, build up to the distance as you would for any type of work/competition, and I'm sure you'll both have a ball.

Enjoy yourselves 

[Fiona]

Does that mean they are out now? 

Yes - speak to Debbie 

Fiona

[Woody]

also be mindful not to keep girthing up that extra hole if you are on hilly terrain. I've done long distances in a treeless.

Oh, get yourself checked out physically too so you know you're balanced and if you eat a lot, be fair and stop eating a month or two before the ride

...is that little gaela who spent her formative years with me or are there 2 Gaela's???

[Fiona]

Nope - it's the same one 

Fiona

[1mrc]

Hi

Thanks for all the advice, I am so glad I don't need to find a different saddle! Mind you, I have only ridden bareback since Aug so will have to start using one.
Will the sheepskin pad not hold onto too much moisture (sweat, rain, river) I am not sure how dry I will be able to get it overnight and it has to be on for 6 days.
Woody, I have already stopped eating! plus OH is an osteopath so I don't get much chance to be wonky. Also that is why I have been doing lots of bareback, I've not skidded off yet! and we manage some quite nice straight lines and circles with no reins so I think G thinks I am doing ok too
I am glad Fiona answered your last question coz I asked G and she didn't know peoples forum names 
 

[Woody]

She may not know my name but she certainly knows woddy as he was her bestest boyfriend
just being coy I guess.  It's great to hear she is happy and holidaying please give her a kiss and a cuddle from me.

I used sheepskin and found it great. even in days of torrential rain the bit under the saddle was good and healthy.

ps sounds great fun, can we come

[1mrc]

Hey, the more the merrier!! but be warned we are having to have special route map made as our routes seem to be going via pubs! Well we have to give the horses a break during the day, don't we

[Fiona]

Don't worry, Gaela is well used to pubs as rest stops 



(Outside the Warren Inn on Dartmoor)



In a pub carpark (Gaela is at the back and Húni at the front) in South Devon when we were visited by an Intercity 125


Fiona

[1mrc]

Good old GG, she will know the routine then! So what's her fav tipple then, JoJo likes pear cider

My only concern is that as I will be the only teetotaler in the group, then it will be up to me to find us that nights b&b. might have to add  map reading skills onto my to do list

[Fiona]

She likes real ale (well, that's all she was ever offered anyway!)

Don't worry, if you ply the rest of your party with enough alcohol they won't notice how circuitous the route is to the B&B 

I am v. jealous btw, it sounds like great fun.  Have a lovely time and write a full report and pictures when you get back 

Fiona

[Woody]

are you making your route up yourselves or is someone doing it for you? I've always fancied riding in wales - not too far.

I don't drink either so I reckon she'd down the odd fruit juice quite well too. One of my cleints horses goes BESERK for passionfruit juice

[1mrc]

I might have known she is not the innocent she makes out to be - ale indeed - I will have words later!!

The holiday is a proper organised one for a change . http://www.yourhorseadventures.co.uk/  (the trans wales trip) they are just doing a few alterations for refreshments
We are really looking forward to it. we are taking our friend, who happens to be our instructor, with us so we will hopefully show some improvement by the end of the week which makes it even better.