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Tara Rothwell
Tara Rothwell & TQ-Hot on Cougar Rock
I am so grateful to Marlene Moss and the Free and Easy saddle. After my last race of the season in 2002 and yet another low grade for back, this one with "Must solve back problem!" in the comments, I decided that I had to do something. I had tried 4 different saddles previously with my small narrow Arabian gelding. I had tried changing pads. I had tried changing riding styles (and two pointing more). Each to no avail. Indeed, I had to solve my horses back problem.
So I began an intense research effort and narrowed my saddle choices down to 2. Marlene was great at responding to my emails. Shortly after receiving the measurements and photos I had sent of my horse I received her saddle- a Free and Easy Endurance demo. I was immediately enthusiastic about its beauty and quality craftsmanship. Marlene seemed to have pre-fit the saddle to fit my horse exquisitely. Unfortunately due to unforeseen weather I was not able to ride the saddles for a 30+-mile ride (about the distance that I needed to see if my horse would develop a sore back). I was sure that this would be the saddle for us, though, and went ahead and ordered the dressage model.
We continued to race and train in the old saddles, while waiting for the saddle to be made and shipped from England. I was training for the Tevis and hoped it would arrive in time for some good training rides before the race. The saddle arrived about 2 weeks before the Tevis and I did have time to ride one good training ride (the Cal Loop of the course). T looked and felt great on the ride and we decided the saddle would be a go for the Tevis (at least to Robinson Flat).
T felt great going up Squaw (and the entire race) and it was easy to ride him round, soft, and balanced in the new saddle. He came into Robinson Flat and for the first time ever didn't so much as flick his tail when we ran our hands down his back. T received A's all day and night for back and tack (something we have never done before.
We kept the saddle on for the entire ride and ultimately finished (T dragging my tired body as I lead him, around the victory lap). I was too tired and sleep deprived to realize it then but the next day I noticed - MY back did not hurt. It was not old age that had been making my back hurt (even after 1 hour of dressage work!) but the saddles.
Thank you to Marlene and the Free and Easy saddle for helping make our Tevis dreams come true. I love my saddle and so does T.
Sincerely
Tara Rothwell and TQ Hot
