February 6, 2014
Yep.
All posts in category Pony Stuff
Ponies have all the brains – 2014
February 6, 2014
Yep.
Posted by riderofchaos on February 6, 2014
https://blueridgepony.com/2014/02/06/ponies-have-all-the-brains/
Saddle Repairs – 2014
January 31, 2014
I have two saddles with some damage to their seats.
One is a 17 1/2 medium Crobsy Mark VI. Its an older saddle, that I only use on rare occasion, but it fits just about anything and its not really worth selling because of the damage to the seat. Other than the damage its in rather good condition. But the seat is really messed up. It had ripped along the seam on each side of the seat, which has continued to grow, and then to spider web across the seat.
The other one is Poe’s saddle. Its an 18 inch medium Ainsley Chester Cross Country Saddle. It is in fantastic condition and is incredibly comfortable. I love it. But it has a small rip in the seat along the seam.
I did a little internet research, talked to a few leather workers and some people who specialize in saddle repairs. With my mind set, I called a leather supply company and explained what I had in mind, and they selected and mailed me some butter soft leather and a specific cement glue.
Last night, I jumped in with both feet and got busy. I cut a piece of the leather to patch the Ainsley. I cut is quite a bit wider and longer, so it would more than fully cover the rip. I cleaned the area, applied a little of the glue into the rip, and allowed it to harden, and then pressed it closed. Then I applied glue to the saddle’s ripped area, and the back of the leather patch. I allowed them to harden some, and then delicately applied the patch and then pressed it tightly.
Then I moved onto the Crosby. I was originally going to patch the rips on both sides, but since it had spider webbed through the center I decided to cover the whole area. I cut the leather to the right size, applied the glue, allowed it to harden, and the placed the patch. I then spent a few minutes pressing down on the patch.
Now they just need to sit over night and I’ll give the Ainsley a try tomorrow. yea!
They actually came out a lot better than I expected, and look much better in person than in the photos.
A little tid-bit I learned in this experience is that these rips are caused by riding in jeans. The inner seam of the jeans rubs and puts pressure on this delicate part of the seat which eventually breaks down the leather and leads to a split. I personally can’t stand riding in jeans. That same seam rubs the delicate skin on my leg, just like the saddle. But all of my saddles have come to me used, so apparently some of their previous owners did ride in jeans.
Posted by riderofchaos on January 31, 2014
https://blueridgepony.com/2014/01/31/saddle-repairs/
Custom Saddle Pads – 2014
January 27, 2014
This weekend I spent most I my time in my sewing room. It is by far the warmest room in our house, and it’s easy to lock myself away for an entire day, letting my artistic side thrive.
I started this new project a week ago, and I had my revisions in mind. I cranked up the space heater and selected Dexter on Netflix and got my sew on.
I emerged later covered in thread bits and with some brand new saddle pads in hand.
They are quilted in my desired thickness, which is equivalent to a standard square pad. They are cut extra long to accommodate an adult saddle with a fleece half pad, and to still show pad all the way around. I also shaped them to contour to the back and prevent bunching and gaping. The undersides are lined with 100% cotton flannel for a drying medium, the middle is 100% cotton quilt batting and the top is a printed 100% cotton. Of course the pads are also equipped with girth and billet straps to make for a completed professional pad.
To add a little extra fun I designed these pads in a swallow tail fashion. This is not going to be the only design I do. In fact, I started another pad last night in a different shape, that I hope to finish later this week.
For Poe I wanted to go with a black and yellow color coordination and a pirate theme. Ironically I had found some yellow fabric printed with smiling black skulls for this project. It fits me and Poe perfectly. I also appliquéd a smiling skull and cross bones to match the yellow fabric onto one side of the pad, and “Poe” on the other side. I have not appliquéd in a while and my technique could have used a little bushing up and the Poe is a little larger than I would have liked in retrospect. I made a second matching pad (minus the “Poe”) so it can be used as a pairs competition pad too.
Simon’s pad is blue with a super hero theme. It’s very Simon. I appliquéd a “POW” on one side, which really makes the pad. I started to put a “Zoom” on the other side, but was unhappy with the layout of it so choose to leave that side plain.
I did larger quilting on Poe’s pad, an tried smaller on Simon’s. I like show Simon’s came out better than Poe’s so that will become more of the standard. And I still need to practice up my appliqué work a little more to have a more professional finish in future pads. That’s said, I can’t wait to make some more. I am eager to get to a fabric store and stock up on more supplies and let my creativity flow!
Sunday afternoon I fitted both pads to the ponies and was thrilled with the completed projects. Although both ponies were totally uncooperative models, I managed a few ok shots. I would like to try again with their full color coordinated tack, and brushed out coats.
Posted by riderofchaos on January 27, 2014
https://blueridgepony.com/2014/01/27/custom-saddle-pads/
A Little Fun in the Snow
January 22, 2014
Why oh why didn’t I get snow pads on Simon last week?
We still had some fun this evening.
Posted by riderofchaos on January 22, 2014
https://blueridgepony.com/2014/01/22/a-little-fun-in-the-snow/
The Husband Hears – 2014
January 21, 2014
The other day I saw this comic and texted it my husband. It perfectly describes what I hear when anyone talks sports.
He later joked that it is similar to what he hears when I talk horses.
Frequently he said he hears, “Simon horsed it up today, he was such a horse. Poe was a total horse today when he was horsing. They are such horses”.
He also hears, “I am going horsing with my horse friends, I’ll see you horse later.” And, “Rah rah rah, 3 1/2 fingers tall, rah rah, color, rah rah, so fast, rah rah, I love horses.”
He still nods his head and mumbles “uh hu.” And “sounds like fun.” When I talk horses. Which is pretty much what I say when I hear, “sports, sports, run, points, sports.”
Posted by riderofchaos on January 21, 2014
https://blueridgepony.com/2014/01/21/the-husband-hears/
Blue Ridge Pony 