The saddle question (this might be a slight rant)

For my first lesson with S, back in April/May, I did not bring my saddle with me. I assumed that she would provide one, because that had always been my experience before: ride a "school" horse, use a "school" (or the owner's, etc) saddle. 

She immediately asked me if I had a saddle. I said yes, but had not brought it. So, she provided something. 

The next time I set up a lesson, I asked if I should bring my saddle. She said yes, "so I would be more comfortable." So, I brought it with me for my second lesson. S was very negative about the saddle - and I don't know how much of it is because her husband is a rep for one of the bigger brands, and she had never heard of my brand of saddle. I have never had any of the issues she mentioned I would have, ie, the saddle being slippery and having no support for my leg. As a matter of fact, I feel very secure in it and always have...and it has knee rolls and thigh blocks...but has no leg support? Ok.

This is not *my* saddle, but this is what I have.

Anyway, I shrugged it off, because I know how horse people can be and I've had some instructors that have been exceedingly difficult about stuff (I had one not speak to me for 3 days at a weekend show because I tried to compromise on stirrup length - I punched a hole in between "too long" and "too short" and rode in that. Oy.). But, I digress. 

Basically, you just learn when to fight and when to let it go. :) 

I thought the saddle fit the horse reasonably well, but was a little too wide for him. I had brought my wither pad, and that, to me, fixed the issue pretty well.

Rinse and repeat for the lesson a few weeks ago. I brought my saddle and wither pad, and rode for my 30 minutes. When I got there the next time, she told me my saddle didn't fit the horse and it made him really sore. She said one of her boarders had purchased a new saddle and wanted people riding in it to break it in, so I could use that. Ok, cool. Doesn't matter to me whether I ride in my saddle or not. I think it's just as good to ride in different tack as it is to ride different horses. 

So, I put my saddle back in my car and rode in the one that was handed off to me. I thought it was too tight in the withers, but it's not my horse or my saddle...so I kept the thought to myself!

Again, I rode for my 30 minutes. I honestly don't think the differences in my ride were tack-related - maybe they were, maybe they weren't - but I think they were strength-related. I can feel that my muscles are stronger from working out and from riding...and my brain is getting better at communicating with them. Brain and muscles know what to do on a horse - but were not speaking the same language before! 

When I was there this past Saturday, her first comment was that I needed to get a new saddle. (Uhm, wait, what? Why?) And she told me again that it doesn't fit the horse and it made him really sore. She actually told me he needed to be adjusted after the last time I rode him in it. (Ok - back the horse up. Yes, I know fully well how sore a horse can get with a badly fitting saddle - but not generally after ONE 30 minute lesson.) I told her a new saddle was not in my budget and I didn't want to buy one when I did not have a horse. She said, well, what if you sold your current saddle? Could you do it then? Maybe, but again, why? 

I told her I would think about it. And I have, seriously. I tried to put aside the way I felt about it and seriously considered it. The saddle I have used the last 2 times has been really nice. I don't dislike it at all. I also don't feel any undying need to trade mine in right now. 

To me, school horse = school/owner tack. That is how it has always been, in every barn I have ever taken lessons in. I have done a fair bit of asking around to determine whether that policy has changed. Apparently, it has not. If I were leasing a horse, it would be different. But, hell - when I leased horses before I bought Promise, I didn't have a saddle - I used a "school" saddle! If I were buying a horse, it would be different. But if you're loaning me a horse for a 30 minute lesson every other Saturday, I feel you should loan me the damn saddle to ride in, too.

If and when I purchase another horse, I am almost guaranteed to need a new saddle. I just can't figure out why I "need" to buy one now when I am in between horses.

So, I have decided I am not making a big purchase/trade like that right now. But, if it is going to continue to be an issue with S, then I am afraid I won't be able to continue riding with her. It makes me really uncomfortable to be pressured to make such a big purchase, especially when I know full well she wants me to buy the brand her husband sells, and we talked about my goals before I even got on the horse for my first lesson.