Well, it's not new and I wouldn't call it a torture device, but Gwen probably will. It's a Crosby Torino and I bought it off ebay. How could I buy a saddle off ebay you ask? I popped my Crosby Lexington on her back one day and it fit her, then I made a template of her back and took it to the tack store. The brand new $1K Crosby medium tree fit her too. So I figured that a Crosby medium tree made between now and 15 years ago when my Lexington was made would fit her. Well, more hoped.
I'm worried this doesn't fit her. It can't sit up any higher than that because it'll pinch her withers and interfere with her shoulders, but it looks like it sits really far back (of course I could be thinking that because I've gotten used to seeing my barn owner put her saddles way up on her horses' withers). I'll see if I can get some better pictures later in the week. If it doesn't fit her I'm not out much and I can just sell it, but I'm hoping that looking at it under better light will improve its prospects. Yes, that is a kids basketball hoop in the back. There's a resident 4 year old boy where I board.
After saddle fitting I took Gwen out for more target training. This time I was really pushing the envelope. Due the rain and warm temps the outdoor has finally thawed, so I took her out there and turned her loose. She loved the footing and took off galloping all over the place. She is a vision when she's moving: agile, quick and effortless. Twice when she was cantering down the long side of the arena she started swapping leads at every stride. My jaw fell, my horse was doing one-tempis all on her own for the sheer fun of it. I tell you what, if I can get this mare under saddle she might make me one hell of a dressage horse.
After she got her gallop on, I pulled out the target and got to work with her still loose. She actually paid attention to me. Whoohoo! I'm really psyched about that. She was all alone, not another horse in sight, and she was composed enough to touch her nose to it every time I said "target." She wasn't standing still but she was listening and that's all I'm looking for right now.
Coriander also got his second dose of the bit tonight. Still doesn't quite have the hang of it yet, so I'll give him time.
