Left and right
Today I rode Iris in the Sidepull, which arrived the other evening and her new saddle pad for the first time. She actually felt like a different horse, way more elevation and movement in her back, she just felt better than she ever has. I don't think the saddle was particularly uncomfortable before, but with the shimmed pad it is clearly more comfortable because Iris just moves much better in it. It was a pricey pad, but I'm really happy with the outcome.
I also got to see how she went in the sidepull - I didn't want to use it when trying the saddle because I didn't want to change too much all at once, but today we put it on and it certainly seems a little easier to be clear than with the halter, as you might expect. As sidepulls go this one isn't beautiful in my opinion ( I'd rather have something more like a regular bridle in style ) but it works and it's certainly better than riding in the halter. It may have slightly arrived after it was needed as I think we can go over to a regular bridle soon, but it does her no harm to work in different equipment and what she learns with the sidepull will transfer directly to the bridle.
I have hopes that this mare will really cut it as a dressage horse. A way off as yet, but we are beginning to build some foundations.
I also got to see how she went in the sidepull - I didn't want to use it when trying the saddle because I didn't want to change too much all at once, but today we put it on and it certainly seems a little easier to be clear than with the halter, as you might expect. As sidepulls go this one isn't beautiful in my opinion ( I'd rather have something more like a regular bridle in style ) but it works and it's certainly better than riding in the halter. It may have slightly arrived after it was needed as I think we can go over to a regular bridle soon, but it does her no harm to work in different equipment and what she learns with the sidepull will transfer directly to the bridle.
I have hopes that this mare will really cut it as a dressage horse. A way off as yet, but we are beginning to build some foundations.