Breaking in a new saddle

I just realized breaking in new tack is like breaking in a nice pair of new shoes.  Which is why I don’t buy new shoes often either!

While trying to break in my new saddle, there were so many things I didn’t take into account (which is why the first ride was about ten minutes).

1. With different rigging, the same girth won’t fit the same

2. Stiff fenders make proper foot alignment tricky

3.  I must either wear jeans or full size boots until I get the stirrups moving right

4.  When trying to convince Kobi to trot – it was super difficult when the stirrup buckle hit the girth buckle (see issue 1)

I’m sure with some slight modifications (like a new girth & pants), things will be working smoothly by Spring…it’s just a sad day when you have to retire your trusty saddle that conformed to both rider and horse and experienced everything right along with you.