Saddle trial and Booncat leaves

I am trying out a Billy Cook trail saddle on Gussie (model 1777). It seems to fit her well so far, but I don't find it very comfortable for me. The seat is fully padded and has enough rise that the padding pushes against me enough to cause chafing (*ahem*, ladies will know what I mean!).
 I went for a short ride with the lady who owns the saddle.

She was riding her 23 year old Morgan gelding.

I plan to ride it a few more times before I decide if it is "the one".

I tried it with my SPH saddle pad

Either the bars are too steep at the rear of the saddle, or it's just the leather that will end up flexing and laying flatter.

It was a lovely day to ride. The grass is still green despite the week of sub zero temperatures we had a couple of weeks ago. 

 I like to pause at this spot near the river to enjoy the bright green of the moss.

We wound our way through brush and trees watching for wildlife as there was a lot of deer sign as you will see in this video:

But other than the antler rubs and a lot of tracks, we didn't see anything.  We made our way back  and just enjoyed the peaceful beauty of the day.

That's our driveway, and the neighbour's house. Gussie is listening to the calls from Belle and Drifter, who had spotted her.

So the saddle did ok, it didn't move or slide back and seemed not to have any pressure points that I could find.  I'm just not sold on buying a factory saddle after all these years of riding custom built saddles! If I could afford it, I would have my cousin (first cousin, once removed!) Shane Pittman make me a saddle. He custom builds his own trees after careful measurements of the horse's back and boy he does nice work. Here are some photos of his work.

His starting price is 4 grand though and I don't think I can swing that! It's so tough for me to look at those saddles and then settle for a Billy Cook..... 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....

Today, I loaded up Booncat and hauled him to the first stop on the way to his new owners. He will be there for a couple of days before heading to Alberta; the buyers are hauling a horse they started for the lady who will be meeting them halfway with Booncat. He loaded well and hauled well, only a bit of calling and a couple of times he stuck his li'l nose out the window slots. But when we put him in the big box stall he was like "what the heck!" Not a happy little Booncat! All by his little self! Hopefully she will put a horse next to him so he can have some company. I bet he will whinny himself hoarse though. 

Riding day 68 and 69