My Crosby Equilibrium has arrived!!

[shewasmyshadow]

So my Crosby Equilibrium just arrived via UPS. It's SO awesome looking!! I just wanted to show you guys the pictures before giving feedback on ebay. Just to make sure everything looks good.

Here's some pictures:

The first one shows the true color the best.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/JessicaBe/102_3387-1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/JessicaBe/102_3388.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/JessicaBe/102_3391.jpg

Please let me know if you see anything amiss. Oh, and what is the nail/pin thing near the back of the seat? Anyone know?

Oh, and the leather is SOO soft. It's like butter. The saddle is in EXCELLENT shape and just looks like a MILLION bucks. At least to me. :D I'm so excited!!

[Pi and Tofu]

It's hard to see from the pictures, but it looks like it is due for a reflocking, which isn't a fault, just a statement. Every saddle will eventually need to be reflocked if it is wool. Are the billets in good shape and how is the leather underneath?

I have no idea what the pin is.

Looks like it was kept in good shape.

[shewasmyshadow]

Oh, I'll take some more of the underneath. The billets looked excellent to me. I also thought the panels looked like they may have been recently re-stuffed or maybe it just wasn't used much.

[JetLagaside]

Oh, and what is the nail/pin thing near the back of the seat? Anyone know?

Thats from a name plate.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-32307

[shewasmyshadow]

Okay here we go...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/JessicaBe/102_3395.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/JessicaBe/102_3396.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/JessicaBe/102_3400.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/JessicaBe/102_3401.jpg

[cloedoll]

I like! The panels look fine to me, I know the TC's are built with more flat panels...which those ones look like. Pinch the leather on the panel, if you can, then yes, it needs reflocked...if not, I say it is perfectly fine. :)

[jeezitsjacki]

ohh very nice looking saddle!

[shewasmyshadow]

Here's the pin I'm talking about...

[vicklynn]

Have no clue about those kind of saddles, but I LOVE that chair...LOL

[shewasmyshadow]

hehehe...yeah, I love that chair too. :D I bought the chair, matching footstool and matching couch for $250 on craigslist when we bought our house. It was a GOOD deal.

[vicklynn]

hehehe...yeah, I love that chair too. :D I bought the chair, matching footstool and matching couch for $250 on craigslist when we bought our house. It was a GOOD deal.
That was ans AWESOME deal!!!

[gaited07]

Nice saddle:) Congrats

[outriding01]

Good looking saddle! I adore Crosby's. They do tend to have flatter panels so you'd really have to feel them to know whether they needed a reflocking or not. My Crosby, which I got brand new 4 years ago, has the flatest panels of any saddle I've ever ridden in, but I like them because they distribute weight better than any other saddle.

Is the pin on both sides? Some saddles have them, some don't. No idea why....

[shewasmyshadow]

Yes, the pin is on both sides. I have to say this other lady that owned it must have kept it in her house 24/7. It looks like it's broken in, but has very little everyday nicks and scrapes.

Now how do I care for this color and type of saddle? With my dressage county saddle I would use a damp sponge and put a squirt of lexol saddle soap and a squirt of lexol saddle conditioner on it. Rubbed down the saddle. Rinsed the sponge, wrung it out and wiped down again. Then used a nice fluffy towel to dry it. But, I would think that type of cleaning might discolor this saddle. What do you think??

[luvs2ride1979]

Here's the pin I'm talking about...

It looks great! I don't think it needs reflocking. It should have foam panels inside, which will compress a bit over time. You may need the foam stripped out and reflocked in a year or three.

The pin is just a tack/nail.

The holes in the back were for a name plate.

[luvs2ride1979]

Yes, the pin is on both sides. I have to say this other lady that owned it must have kept it in her house 24/7. It looks like it's broken in, but has very little everyday nicks and scrapes.

Now how do I care for this color and type of saddle? With my dressage county saddle I would use a damp sponge and put a squirt of lexol saddle soap and a squirt of lexol saddle conditioner on it. Rubbed down the saddle. Rinsed the sponge, wrung it out and wiped down again. Then used a nice fluffy towel to dry it. But, I would think that type of cleaning might discolor this saddle. What do you think??

It will only be darker color until it dries. It should dry to it's normal color again in a day or so. Just don't clean it or let it set damp in the sun, as that can discolor it.

I personally prefer Hydrophane conditioner over Lexol, just my personal preference. I do like Lexol cleaner though. I buy the big 1/2 gal and keep a couple of spray bottles full.

[shewasmyshadow]

So, how do I clean it exactly? Like do you use a damp sponge? How much cleaner and how much conditioner?? I'm just nervous about doing anything to it. It's just sooo beautiful. :D

[luvs2ride1979]

LOL, just clean it like you would any other saddle. I like to use enough soap and water to make it really sudsy, then wipe each section with a towel as I go, so the suds don't dry on the leather or soak in. If it's dry and really soaks up the soap and water, use more water and more soap, then really condition the heck out of it. Follow it up with another conditioning once it's dry. Then maybe another once it's dry again.

I would wipe it down with a damp cloth after every ride. Clean it with Lexol cleaner every 5-10 rides (1-4 times a month). Condition it as needed, no more than once a month. If it gets dry, you can use a good oil based conditioner occasionally, like Hydrophane Leather Dressing or Passier Lederbalsm. Both will darken the leather a bit, but it will lighten back up as it fully dries and you use it.

Just remember, it WILL eventually turn dark, all leather that is used and taken care of does. Don't cry, just appreciate the nice new rich brown your saddle is turning ;).

[luvs2ride1979]

Have you ridden in it yet? If so, how do you like it?

[shewasmyshadow]

No I haven't ridden in it yet. I did get some NICE leathers and irons for it at the swap. The leathers are HDR and seem VERY high quality!! The irons are stubben's with black pads. The leathers/irons came together, both were used, but just barely and I paid $65 for them as a set. Seemed high at first, but I know the nice leathers run $80+ new and the irons like that are $50. I also picked up a cinch for it for $3 and a pad for $5.

Here's a picture:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/JessicaBe/102_3424.jpg

[cloedoll]

Oo looks like quite the cute set there! xD

[JackieB]

Beautiful saddle. Congratulations!!

[carla]

Yeah I like the set all together.. can't wait to see it in action!

[shewasmyshadow]

I rode in it today!! Interesting ride. It feels like you're sitting on a board! Seemed to ride nice, though. I have a weak 2-point anyways, from lack of exercise. So it was hard to tell if the close contact saddle really helped me. I KNOW I rode better in it in a general sense. Posting was light years easier and NO crotch bruises, like I get in the wintec. That of course is a BIG advantage for me. Not having to spend 1/2 a week recovering after each lesson will be a nice change. :D

We're doing pictures and videos next week.

[cloedoll]

A board, like, no support or it was that hard? If it is the no support thing, I am guessing that is because it is a flatter seat...anyways, I cannot wait for pics!!!

[shewasmyshadow]

I could feel some sort of bar under my seat! It was the flattest seat I've ever ridden in, but I did ride the jumps better in it! Right now I'm just working on 2-pointing, shoulders back and releasing. Even if the horse doesn't have to jump to clear the cross-rail. I still go through the motions to help my muscle memory kick in.

It did fit the morgan I'm riding good though. In the wintecs you can tell after the lesson that it was rubbing because there is hair matted around his withers. However, in this saddle he moved better and no hair matting. My teacher also confirmed it fit good. Was a little wide, but she gave me a special pad to lift it a little and help out.

Pictures will come next week. I forgot my camera yesterday. :(

[shewasmyshadow]

No pictures from this week either. :( I have a private lesson next week, so maybe I'll get pictures.

Anyways, I wanted to say I rode the TB mare (she used to be a BIG time show jumper) in my new close contact. It made a big difference. You definitely have to sit a little different in a CC, so once I got it I did much better. Last time I rode this horse in the wintec I kept falling forward and dropping my shoulders as we come up to the jump. That would make her stop and she'd almost dump me. With this new saddle I can sit up and keep my shoulders back. It made a big difference!! I got over the jumps with no stopping. My teacher said I did great!