"We liked this saddle, it was great for all of us to move in"
For years I have wanted a Balance saddle and finally I am doing it!! I am ording a new saddle, but before I do that I need to have the saddle fitted for my horses. Last week Mel Fleming, (who is not only a wonderful, intuitive horsewoman but is also the Aussie agent for Balance), came to my place to do a saddle fit to be sure I get the most suitable style. I have several horses I ride and the saddle needs to suit most, if not all of them. Mel brought 3 saddles with her and I picked two horses that I ride the most.What was interesting is that the horses let us know what saddle they liked or not, as you rode in each saddle the horses moved willingly and easily in the saddles they liked. There was one saddle that one of my horses really didn’t like and it was obvious in the way she moved and how her attitude changed.
The other thing that I found really interesting is that Mel could read my horses and tell me about their emotional state of mind which was causing discomfort to the horse and was showing up in behavioural patterns, patterns that I haven’t been able to change with much success. I hadn’t discussed any of the issues with one of the horses, but Mel had her pegged. She worked with us to help release emotions simply through the way I sat, how I breathed and what I thought which reflected in the way I rode. It was amazing to see the dramatic changes that this horse made in a very brief amount of time.
So out of a saddle fitting I not only got the best saddle for the job but I also got a lot of information about how my horses are feeling when I ride, what I do to get in their way and how I can help them make our riding a more pleasant experience. I think it also goes beyond riding, it carries through to their confidence in the herd and also to a deeper connection between us as well.
If you get a chance to have someone such as Mel, someone who has an infinity with horses on a deeper level than most, then take the opportunity. Its such a wonderful experience to feel the connection and the synchronisity that is possible when all are working together.
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