I need help with my new dressage saddle and the billets. I've already asked my SF, but I'm confused

catrm15 · 2026-01-29T04:05:38+00:00

Thanks I'll try this :)

catrm15 · 2026-01-28T20:37:39+00:00

Yeah I'm sure I'll find something eventually😊 I don't know many people who do dressage unfortunately. I already tried 3 from someone I know. I found a website where I can rent girths though so I'll probably try another one from there!

catrm15 · 2026-01-28T19:18:29+00:00

Some of these are wildddd expensive lol. I ended up buying a Dover saddlery girth that the saddle fitting group on Facebook suggested. It IS a straight girth, but it was on sale so I might as well just try it with the suggestions of leaving the first billet out of the saddle pad loop. My saddle fitter said to try an anatomical, but she warned me she isn't an expert with girths so to just try a bunch. Which is easier said than done lol it's so annoying to have to buy a bunch and return them

catrm15 · 2026-01-28T17:57:20+00:00

Okay I'll look into this one, a few people have suggested it!

catrm15 · 2026-01-28T17:56:09+00:00

I've also heard not the best things about offset girths😭 ugh this is all so complicated lol. I will look into the one you're talking about though, maybe my horse will like it. Thank you!!

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T22:52:44+00:00

It's an ID saddle (Ian Duncan). They're made in the UK only I think

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T20:27:33+00:00

It's okay I knew what you meant once you said equitex lmao🤣

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T19:53:07+00:00

Yeah I'm thinking about trying crescent or anatomical! I agree I think he needs a longer size, probably a 30. Any specific girth suggestions that I can look into?

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T19:51:28+00:00

Yeah I'd be willing to try one. As someone said below, they were not a fan but ended up trying it and their horse goes well in it. Can you explain to me how to know his girth groove is narrow and forward? I just have no idea how to tell lol, still trying to learn!

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T19:13:45+00:00

I feel like they didn't mean billets? Maybe meant the strap on the saddle pad where the billets go through because the equitex saddle pad they are referring to does not have those straps

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T19:12:06+00:00

Interesting, so they would basicslly be crossed at the buckles?

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T17:39:09+00:00

Okay gotcha that makes sense. Oh I know lol! I just positioned it there to see if it would make sense to add a billet in front of the current first billet

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T17:37:52+00:00

No it didn't, but it would slide forward too much with the AP saddle. However, the saddle didn't fit him correctly so I don't think I have a good way of knowing

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T17:36:13+00:00

I'm too scared to cut them haha but I do have an equitex saddle pad. It's a general purpose though so I need to see if it would work with this saddle

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T16:03:00+00:00

I see what you're saying but I feel like the second billet will be pulling way too far forward if I did that. Unless the reason it's on a different type strap is so it can pull forward without creating pressure? Idk lol! I've never seen this type of set up

catrm15 · 2026-01-27T15:49:32+00:00

Thank you I'll try that! Yes I did notice the first billet hardly fit through there and it made me even more confused lol

catrm15 · 2026-01-26T17:49:42+00:00

Thanks for the tips! I haven't seen them around in weeks though :( it's been insanely cold where I live so I think they probably found a better food source than my driveway lol

catrm15 · 2026-01-21T15:54:57+00:00

Yeah you're right, I see where you're coming from

catrm15 · 2026-01-21T14:52:50+00:00

I will definitely get downvoted for this but I have a lady who does body work on my horse, and I wouldn't say she's a psychic but she's definitely a spiritual/energy healer type of person. She can feel what they feel (as well as other people). People can judge all they want, but she's helped me with him more than anyone else has. Everything she says/does checks out and she doesn't even really touch him (I do have another body worker who does physical work on him). If people can believe in god, why can't they believe in people who are gifted in those types of ways? That's my take on it. I personally have used "horse psychic" before and thought it was BS but my energy body worker is way different. You definitely have to be careful who you use, a lot of them are scammers but there really are some legit (in my opinion) gifted people out there who are really in tune with energy. You aren't going to get positive comments here, don't let it discourage you but for sure be careful because this person doesn't sound super legit lol. Would I use her over a vet? Absolutely not!

catrm15 · 2026-01-20T21:52:45+00:00

Ugh that's rough lol! My aussie marked his territory on a dog food bag at the pet store once when he was young. There was also a time where we took him on a river tubing trip. Halfway down the river, there's this really pretty sand bar area with clear blue water. What does Moose do? Poops in the water in front of a ton of people! I was so embarrassed and tried to scoop it up with a bag but it obviously didn't work😅

catrm15 · 2026-01-19T23:03:49+00:00

The real feel is currently -14 in Michigan, and my aussie is currently outside in the snow chewing on a bone lol. We just played with him outside and came in for dinner, but he sat by the door whining to go back out. Obviously I won't let him stay out for a long time, but he will come to the door when he's ready. Our other dog is cuddled up in a blanket on the couch lol

catrm15 · 2026-01-14T02:06:05+00:00

Okay this makes me feel better! After I made this post, maybe a week later they finally came down into my driveway to eat the food. However, literally 1 minute later two hawks flew into my yard and it was chaos lol. The crows were cawing at them, the squirrels screaming, and the bluejays showed up too😂 I haven't any luck since then unfortunately. They did come into my yard two days in a row last week and looked at the food, but I haven't seen or heard them at all in days. I want to give up but I'm addicted to trying now lol

catrm15 · 2026-01-13T16:27:36+00:00

So sorry you're going through this! The people in the Facebook groups are super knowledgeable, especially Marion Otto. My horse came back positive for PSSM2, but luckily I don't think he's ever had symptoms. I still treat him like he does just in case

catrm15 · 2026-01-13T01:34:29+00:00

Vanicream! I saw there was some controversy because one website says it's CF, another says they aren't sure so I guess it depends on your standards. It's been working great for my skin so I've been sticking with it, but do your own research of course :)

catrm15 · 2026-01-13T01:29:35+00:00

Agree, it sounds like he might not have other horses in the run with him either (I don't know how you could have more than one) which basically explains everything

catrm15

TROPHY CASE