>>>> I think the damage that causes white hairs can happen fairly quickly. IME it's the appearance of the white hairs that may be delayed until the growth of the new coat, or it may even be the next same season coat before the white hair shows up.
That's what I believe too - so it's not terribly likely that a saddle just purchased in June-July of this year would have caused enough damage to make white hairs show up now, just two months later, especially if the saddle is a soft and flexible treeless saddle mainly used by lightweight riders. This discussion has been a common one on the treeless list, since many folks there have struggled for many years with poorly fitting treed saddles. The consensus from the saddle fitters I've talked to, is generally to look at least several months back, and maybe even a couple of years prior. Possibly, the damage could show up as white hairs earlier, but I believe it would take a LOT of pressure in a concentrated area to do so quickly - as with a very heavyweight rider, or with a treed saddle that is bridging or pinching really badly. For comparison, there are some heavyweight (Cary's approximate weight - over 225 pounds) riders on the treeless list who have been doing endurance riding (50 miles and longer) in the Barefoot saddles for 2-3 years now. To me, the Barefoots aren't a lot more than glorified bareback pads, but supposedly the riders are compensating with padding, and the horses appeared sound and pain-free. (I wouldn't feel comfortable with Cary riding in a Barefoot for very long rides.) Anyway, a couple of riders have just reported that some white hairs are finally showing up, but it has taken a couple of years to see them. Who's to say - MAYBE the hairs would have shown up regardless of the saddle used, considering the distances involved and the weight of the riders...? I don't have any first-hand experience to offer for that scenario. Karen Karen Thomas Wingate, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.15/1002 - Release Date: 9/11/2007 5:46 PM IceHorses Community for Photos and Videos: http://kickapps.com/icehorses "The greatest enemy of the truth very often is not the lie- deliberate, contrived and dishonest -- but the myth -- persistent, persuasive and unrealistic." "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." ~ Arthur Schopenhauer [] Lee Ziegler http://leeziegler.com [] Liz Graves http://lizgraves.com [] Lee's Book Easy Gaited Horses http://tinyurl.com/7vyjo [] IceHorses Map http://www.frappr.com/IceHorses Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IceHorses/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IceHorses/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
