Saddle Fitting Day

 Today Kim came back to check Lyrics saddle. And it fits her great. She tweaked the flocking as it had settled a bit in the back and was creating mild soreness. She fluffed up the front and it doesn't feel downhill anymore. But she was super pleased with her progress. She said she looked fantastic and so much better! She did think she had filled out some because we were thinking we were going to have to narrow the saddle down for her. But we didn't. Although the extra flocking did help. But still. She said she looked more uphill. And she does! I almost think she looks a bit more narrow/roofy, but I also wonder if that's because she's lifting her thoracic sling more and her withers "popped" more. Kim agreed and said that despite her looking more narrow in the withers, she was actually wider. Yay! All the right things! 

She checked the loxley jump saddle and said that it was okay but not great. The tree points were average length to long but they were angled forward so they were kind of digging into her scapula. She said with a half pad it might be alright and to just keep checking her for pain/twitches after our rides. Once she starts showing discomfort, stop riding in it. We also checked Laura's custom, which is for sale, but she didn't like that one on her either. She recommended a few places for me to try to find used ones and recommended a brand that was pretty cheap brand new that she thought would work for her. So... ugh. That sucks because I don't really want to have to buy something else. But... we'll see. I'll investigate. Just not sure I want to buy something without being able to ride in it first and definitel don't want to spend a bunch in case Lyric doesn't hold up. But I also don't want her to be uncomfortable. So... we'll see. 

She did have me hop on her and rather than hike all the way up to the arena I just rode around in the field. It was not great. THAT'S NOT MY ROUTINE MOMMA! She was super squirrely. But she was good enough that I could do a few bits of trot and make sure the balance was good for me. I'm sure Kim thinks I'm an idiot rider, but... whatever. I don't care. I didn't have a chance to get her settled enough as I was only on for about 5 minutes. But at least we know the saddle fits her and me. :) Yay! 

Lyric was confused but grateful to have gotten out of more work for the day. After that Kim looked at her feet and then did a tiny bit of bodywork. She said her left hock had two stuck bones and wasn't moving well, so she fixed those. She's in osteopathy school. Then we talked about how the tight fascia and muscles were probably not helping with the hind end biomechanics. I mentioned her tripping/knuckling over her foot, even though it hasn't been nearly as dramatic after Patrick changed her breakover point. So she showed me the tight ropey groin and how to massage that out. So, guess I'll be doing that before rides now too. :) 

But yay! Lyric got a good report card and my saddle works. Now to just figure out a jump one. And when we were getting her fit checked I was holding her and she kept nuzzling my pants. I'm sure it was because she smelled cookie crumbs in my pockets, but she was so cute.