Do You Have This in a Small?

12/19/2011

Speedy's new Champion Pad is very nice. Unfortunately, he won't be the one wearing it since it's about three sizes too big. Just this weekend, a passing neighbor commented how BIG Speedy was for an Arabian. I laughed to myself and told the gentleman that nope, he was pretty regular-sized at 15'1. Can't be, he argued. I politely told him that I've measured him numerous times and he always comes out the same. The gentleman stepped back, gave Speedy a dubious look, and asserted that he had to be taller. The conversation ended on a cheery note, and I continued saddling my regular-sized Arabian.

Compared to most Dressage Horses (insert a hoitey-toitey tone, please), Speedy is absolutely pony-sized. This has been a problem for us when we shop for tack. Nothing fits. Ever. Headstalls are enormous, or with Cob, they fit awkwardly. Pads swallow him up, as you can see in the video. And finding a girth is even a challenge as there might be one dinky one hiding in the back if I dig long enough. Speedy needs a 24 inch or smaller.

When we were endurance racing, finding tack was cake. Virtually all endurance horses are Arabians so tack is constructed for their smaller bodies. Everything is slightly thinner to accommodate their finer features. Headstalls are scaled for their refined heads. Pads have a shorter drop, and they're frequently a bit shorter across the topline. Halters are smaller and use thinner straps. Aw ... how easy it was to purchase tack for endurance. And now? Not so much.

That's why Speedy won't be wearing his new Champion Pad. He also doesn't get to wear the Riders4Helmets Pad he "helped" me earn earlier this year. That's okay. I've long since gotten over the lack of dressage tack and just use what fits, whether it's for dressage or not. I still get to use the pads as they fit Sydney.

Take a peek at how the pad looked on Speedy G. You'll see what I mean!

Hard to look white when wearing white!

It's so big, it almost wraps around his belly!

Val link

12/19/2011 04:25:12 am

Isn't that an Arabian embroidered on the pad? I think it could be.

At 15.1, Harley is also a pony by many dressage horse standards. The rectangular dressage pads are too long and I think they annoy him, as he seems to be more likely to hop around when he is wearing one. I have switched to the all-purpose rectangular pads (Smart Pak), which fit him much better, come in variety of colors, are easier to wash and do not even look small because I also have a short flap dressage saddle! I was very happy when I made that discovery.

People tend to think Harley is taller than he is as well. I think it is because of his lean body and small rider. ;)

Karen

12/19/2011 09:02:53 am

I don't know if it's an Arabian image or not, but Arabian profiles are used quite frequently for horsey products!

I also use square all purpose pads when riding Speedy. I was lucky enough to find a beautiful white square pad with the fleece underside. It's labeled an all purpose, but it looks exactly like a smallish dressage pad. I store it in a closet at home and use it strictly for showing. I am tempted to buy a second one to save for the future since it took quite a long search to find that one. It's perfectly sized for smaller horses.

Karen

Kelly RGF link

12/19/2011 10:48:44 am

Haha! Put some leg straps and a front buckle on that and you could call it a rug.

What about pony-sized saddle blankets etc, or is he too big for those?

Erica link

12/19/2011 01:26:45 pm

With my two medium-sized (more or less...) Quarter Horses, I've ran into some tack issues as well. Luckily, a hole punch has solved my problems thus far; the tack is almost always slightly too large--especially English tack!

Schooling in what functions, as well as fits, well is always the best option. For showing, I always splurge on the stuff that is "discipline appropriate." My show pads are in the closet too. haha

Karen Sweaney link

12/20/2011 10:10:06 am

Kelly - It almost could be a "rug"! And pony size is too small. With as many Arabians on the planet as there are, you'd think more tack companies would find it profitable to manufacture petite tack!

Erica - I am definitely willing to spend more for properly fitting show tack. For schooling, I don't really care if it's from the right discipline as long as it fits and serves us well.

AareneX link

1/5/2012 08:36:45 am

LMAO! Srsly, b/c I have the devil's own time trying to find ENDURANCE tack to fit my non-arab mare!

Fortunately, American Trail Gear builds all their stuff custom, so I just emailed them Gigantor's measurements and they put together a purple rig to fit. I even had to have a rump-rug custom built--the lady who makes them for large-bummed gaited horses assured me that hers would fit. Ah, no. 6 inches too short!

1/5/2012 09:22:00 am

Bwahahah - that is REALLY funny! That is the great thing about the endurance suppliers - most of them do make their own stuff so custom jobs are usually the same price (or just a bit higher). I am having some difficulty locating a supplier of dressage tack who can make custom items for a reasonable price!

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage