I have very little experience with them, but from all I have had (and all I've hear - have know several people who have had them). I LOVE them. I would totally look to getting one for my son when he gets older. They tend to have a personallity more like a QH (mellow). I've seen them used as vaulting horses too. Btw, they are hypoallergenic too. Good luck. :)

I have one. I find that my horse works better in his egg butte snaffle, but when I teach I always teach in the Dr. Cooks until my students are at a point where their seat is truely independent from their hands. He works fine in the Dr. Cooks, but not at a level with his dressage that I'm satisfied with. But, with that said, I used it the other day and after a longer than normal warm up time he started working better. Hope this helps.

You might try: http://www.horse.com/products/sku-EIM15.html or: http://www.horse.com/products/sku-WIE20.html I also know there are some pads that are closed cell foam that have the wither area cut away on top. Good luck. :-)

What fun. KY is really horse friendly. I was just south of Lexington for 4 years, but moved back to WA 2 years ago. You will find tons of horses and horse facilities, but limited pleasure riding facilities. I was frustrated with that when I was there. But, that was Jessamine County, so the Ft. Knox/E-town area might be different. I bought my horse there as a weenling and didn't blanket him. I put him in a stall when the weather was 33 - 40 degrees and raining. Otherwise he was out in it. His

I had someone explain it to me this way: saddles are like shoes, if they are too narrow there isn't any amount of padding that will make it better, but if they are too wide then you can adjust your socks to fit better. But, either too wide or too narrow will eventually hurt your feet. With that said, some horses are harder to fit than others (like having to put dr. sholls inserts into shoes). I would go with something that adds padding on the sides of the withers. If you pad the top then you

[quote user="Felicia93"] Hi, I need to do a survey on sythetic saddles for a project in my class about surveys please answer it. 1. what is your gender? female 2. What is your age? 32 3.What is your country? US 4. What is your saddle made of : a - synthetic a)sythetic b) leather c)both d)other 5. What style of saddle do you use? dressage a)all purpose b)western c)english d)jumper e)endurance f)austrailian g)dressage 6. What is your preferred saddle material? leather a) synthetic b)leather

Here is a GREAT book on muscle injuries in horses. It might help with the stiffness. http://www.lynnwoodpublishing.com/ to order: http://www.bitofbritain.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=0848 Hope this might give some help.

I usually don't blanket unless there is a need (i.e. older horse/sick horse). So I would consider blanketing your 20 year old. I also blanket if the weather is going to start as rain and turn into snow as it gets colder. Be sure to blanket before the rain starts so the blankets go on DRY horses. For the rest of the time your run in should be sufficient.

No need to spend $10K!! In fact look at some of the rescue organizations. Too bad you aren't closer to WA I know someone trying to give away her 22 year old dressage horse. He is at least 2nd level (probably 3rd maybe 4th I haven't ridden him enough to know and she doesn't ride, he was a rescue), but needs to go to someone who either knows what they are doing or are working closely with a trainer. I got my horse for $500 as a weanling (now a 5 year old) and he is doing really well at

I was bidding on this pad on ebay, but didn't get it (long story...if my son had been remotely acting like a human instead of a monster I probably would have been able to think clearly to bid better, sigh) Anyway, I really want one, but don't know the brand or where I can find it. Help! Thanks!!