Gussie stuff

I didn't keep the saddle I was trying out, so it's back to trying different saddle pad combos to find something that works.  This next photo is using a thin neoprene pad with a single layer wool blanket over it.
The bars at the front are good....

Lots of room for me to slide my hand under without wrinkling her hide

However, when I get to the middle of the saddle.....

that's as far up as I can feel before the saddle is too tight. So that tells me the front of the bars are wide enough, but the angle of the bars at the waist of the saddle is too steep, which you can also see from the back of the saddle:

This means I will be doing a lot of bareback riding this winter, with the exception of cattle sorting and picking up the mail. Which we did last week for a package from my sister.

It was a scarf and slippers that she made for me; I let Gussie model the scarf. It's very soft and warm!

Gussie is also sporting a new halter I made for her. Early Christmas present!

I was looking at old photos of Gussie from when I first brought her back home.

Look how much of her pink skin has filled back in! She looks much better now. 

Then there is how much her body has changed.... no wonder I'm pulling my hair out over saddle fit!

Then:

This summer:

So much more muscle mass. Even the thickness of her neck viewed from above has doubled. Oh well, at least she is comfy to ride bareback!

Riding day 70