Apathy and Apoplexy
Funny how far apart in meaning the two words are, isn't it? Yet the two words themselves seem to go together, in an antonym kind of way. I have tried my best to remain as apathetic as possible through the years, as apoplexy is not usually not part of my schtick.I hide behind my rock, and pretend all is right with the world as I know it. I believe the good news, and avoid the bad. I care for my own brood. I donate as mightily as I can to the big-budget animal & people welfare charities. I stay away from hot-button issues, and people with hot buttons. I mostly just stay away. I have been blessed with imagination, and thus I have lots to do, wherever I am. I've been apathetic as hell.
Then, in 2008, the internet arrived in my rural land. All anybody has to do, if they care about people and animals at all, is watch the horrors people like to post, and bam. Apoplexy. It's brutal. How do people, how CAN people, WHY do people, do these terrible things? I won't even speak of them. Just visit FaceBook, and be pro-animal welfare. Curls the toenails, breaks the heart. Apoplectic rage ensues. So, as usual, I attempt the fine little balancing act, between the two extremes. I'm apathapoplectic. So there. Some of you even know why.
Western Musings
I've been meaning to rant on something for a while now. I truly believe a western saddle, even a good one, impedes early learning in the novice rider. There should be no such thing as a beginner western rider. I mean, think about it. Here's a saddle that weighs more than my dogs, which can be hard on the older or greener back, by the way.The saddle itself resembles a danged chair. You don't ride chairs. And really, in my most non-humblest opinion, western riding is based on minimizing anything being done by the rider. The less a working western rider has to do, the better. English riders predominately ride for pleasure, in the long agog days, too.
Western is for work, English is for pleasure. The western saddle was designed for carrying everything your couch now gives you. Food, water and living accomodations;) And since I've yet to see a English-thin western saddle, I can't help but labour under this impression that I'm right.
No, I don't mean the "aussie" saddles, WESTERN saddles. Big honkin' things, tons of padding, all this stuff that makes you think, hey, I'm in a chair! I think I'll ride in a chair seat! And bam, a gazillion beginner western riders overload their horses more sensitive back area, by sitting further back, further away from the withers. The further away from the withers your weight is, the more of a nuisance you are to even the most saintly horse. It hurts them, in the long run. It is easiest for them to carry you close to the withers, and it's easier to feel what the heck they are doing, closer to the withers. NOT ON them! There is a sweet spot for all equines, where they can best carry you comfortably. This is not as important in the design of western saddles, again, imo. They are firstly an instrument for the cowboy to work from. The cowboy needs to be comfortable, and doesn't want to be thinking about his horse much. The horse is there to do a job.
A beginner rider is not ready for working from horseback.
Ya know? Whattya think? Am I raving again? Won't be the first time:)
2 comments:
I think , whithout proper equitation , you could in fact be right ,but... A balanced rider sitting correctly and actually using thier body , and balance to "activley "ride the horse should not in fact be sitting any differently on a western saddle than in an english.Yes the saddle is heavier ,but well fitted and appropriately padded , it should not add extreme pressure anywhere.Sitting like a a sac of Sh*t in an english saddle would be just as damaging to a young back , but I will agree it is a heckofalot harder to sit badly in an english saddle .
One of the advantages of the western saddle is the amount of area it covers. Sure it may be bigger, bulkier and heavier, but with it covering more space or area, there is a greater amount of area for the weight distribution. This of course being that the saddle actually fits the horse it is on.
And if the saddle is built right and you are sitting in it right, you can still achieve the line of your shoulder/hip/heel, just like in hunters or dressage. It just has more accomodations for all the extra crap you need to haul around- if you were a cowboy back in the day.
Where I tend to see the most chair seat riding is saddleseat. Combined with their lower leg sticking out OFF the horse and a number of them hanging on with their hands- ICK all the way around. And yet every time I mention it- people go off on me thinking I have never ridden saddle seat. They can piss off, because I have.
Sorry GL. Rant over.
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