Hi All: Vicka & I are working on a systematic process of elimination for her issue, starting with riding in hard use. First of all everyone needs to be reminded that Dana herself recommends that either the hard use stirrup attachment OR endurance leathers only be used in order for the multi point rigging system to become engaged for the best weight distribution. Be advised that if you choose to ride "free swing"" you do not get the best weight distribution for your horse & are not using the saddle the way that Dana tested it over many hours of riding.
I weigh in at about 95 lbs/ride a 13.3H moderate build guy & a 14.2h very stout Icey for 1-2 hours a day on the trail varying my gaits/use a Skito Sensation 100% wool bottom pad, one with Prolite foam like Robyn Hood uses & one with the standard Skito 3/4" foam. I switched over to hard use last spring because I started to see some roaning patterns developing under the stirrup attachment in one horse that fortunately I caught in time. I'm sure there will be some who will pipe in that "free swing" is doing fine for them & that is their choice. It is not what Dana rec. & in most of the cases Dana has seen with white hairs coming in, it has been due to riding freeswing or using inadequate padding for the situation (ie rider weight vs extended ride times). Please feel free to contact me off-list with any questions or contact Dana directly. Kaaren
