Hello All, Thanks for the great feedback about saddle fit and points to consider when buying a saddle. This is wonderful information as I move forward with the search for the perfect saddle (for a round, short backed horse with a larger rider with short round legs).
Good news--a horse masseuse (is that what you call them?) came out to work on Blessi yesterday. His back, ribs, etc., are all in good shape except he was carrying one hind quarter a little higher than the other which is consistent with a saddle with flocking worn down more on one side. So with this adjustment and a reflocked saddle I think I am good to go. Lesson learned for me: keep checking that tack! Interesting aside: Blessi was the first Icelandic that the masseuse had ever come in contact with. When she first worked on Blessi last summer, she talked about Icelandics as a breed she might be interested in when she becomes 50 (she is now in her early 20s) and needed a calmer shorter horse. The masseuse is currently very much into dressage and has warm bloods and quarter horses. Since then she has ridden Blessi and worked on a few other Icelandics. Yesterday, she was talking about starting to search for her own Icelandic in a few months. Regards, Pamela
