Letting Go

This is hard for me to say. After years of dreaming about the Parelli saddle, I have reluctantly decided that the best thing for Pride would be to just invest in a saddle of the same quality, but cheeper. I'm letting the thought go of ever owning a parelli saddle, but I will invest all my money into the next best saddle. I've come to the hard conclusion that none of my saddles will fit Pride. He doesn't have a withers so they just slide off or tip into his shoulders. 

*Very uncomfortable for me.

*Stops Pride's shoulder movement.

*Makes both of us hollow our backs.

I need a new saddle, I've been eyeing the Parelli Saddle for a while, but I won't be able to afford such a thing for atleast 2 years (more if I purchase this), and I've already been riding bareback for almost 1 year. Rediculous, I know! So I got thinking maybe I don't need the Parelli saddle, just a better one. I've decided to sell 2 of my saddles I have now and invest in this beauty! It's $1,250. It's a Craig Johnson Saddle and I think this would be the best to try, since Craig often trains with Pat Parelli. I'm sure they share their ideas. This saddle is specifically designed for reining (although reining saddles can also be used for many other uses without a problem), I've put alot of thought and effort into this. Most reining saddles I've seen, allow the horse to stretch, elevate their back, and bring their hind end under. I've learned an important lesson, to measure and make sure it fits the moment I get it so I can send it back if it doesn't. I will send it back if I have to, but I won't give up on my quest to find a saddle that fits. There is no way my father will let me purchase a saddle that is $3,000

1st because I don't have that money. Even if I purchase this saddle I'll have to borrow atleast $300 from dad, and pay him back when I sell my 4-H pig.

2nd because he thinks Parelli is a scam, and try's to talk me out of buying their equipment and educational material. (He hasn't ever done Parelli, so of course his scorn and dissapointed remarks are falling upon deaf ears) But I know he wouldn't let me buy such an expensive saddle for 'only' a horse.

I have also read The Man Who Listens To Horses (Monty Roberts) for the first time. What an amazing book! I can't believe the abuse and obstacles he had to overcome. While my saddle dilema is nothing compared to his trials, I think that once I figure this out, nothing will stop us from having success. Here a couple points that really caught me (from the book):
* "I believed the horse were telling me something and, most important, I learned, with rare exceptions, never to believe the people connected with the horse. The rider was not lying, simply not listening."
* "A good trainer can hear a horse speak to him. A great trainer can hear him whisper."