DAPNET Forums Archive › Forums › Draft Animal Power › Oxen › Saddling an ox….
- This topic has 14 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 2 months ago by
Berta.
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- January 31, 2010 at 9:17 pm #41369
Nat(wasIxy)
ParticipantOK so I can’t mount from the ground anymore – no wonder, I measured him today and he’s 16.2hh! Bareback isn’t a problem…until you have to get off and can’t find something to mount with.
So, the hunt was on for a saddle – but where do you buy a saddle for something straight backed, low withered and with a prominent spine…that’s within my (very) modest budget?
So I’ve gone treeless and really splashed out on padding…costing a pretty penny but in theory should fit any bovine I might have now or in the future, which is very important for me!
He is coming on very well with the riding anyway – he yields well to leg pressure and I tried reining back by giving the command for back and leg squeezing with rein pressure…worked a treat first time 😉
February 1, 2010 at 2:17 pm #57512mother katherine
ParticipantOk, my British dialect isn’t up to date. What going treeless?
Maybe the site Riding Steers might be of some help.
oxnunFebruary 1, 2010 at 3:18 pm #57506sanhestar
ParticipantHi Mother Katherine,
treeless saddle – saddle without a tree
February 1, 2010 at 4:09 pm #57507ParticipantYes sorry 😮 A treeless saddle doesn’t have a tree – there are no solid bits to dig in and weight is distributed via straps and padding and things, this means it can fit a wide variety of horses…and hopefully oxen…
February 1, 2010 at 6:00 pm #57503CharlyBonifaz
Memberand with a prominent spine…
I would check really careful if that works with treeless……..
the other problem: saddles on cattle seem to be sliding frontwards, you need a way to prevent that….
good luck 😉February 1, 2010 at 8:20 pm #57514Anonymous
InactiveI havent saddled or rode an ox yet. but if the saddle sliding forward seems to be a problem then think of a croup strap like is on harnesses. I/we use them in the mountains to keep the saddle back on horses dont see why it wouldnt work on oxen.
February 1, 2010 at 8:25 pm #57504Memberit does work with oxen, just was not sure if it does work with treeless saddles
February 2, 2010 at 12:36 pm #57508ParticipantThere’s many different kinds of treeless, I’m sure there’s one with somewhere to attach a crupper/breeching to. Not sure if my particular one does? Will have to wait and see when it gets here – sure I can improvise something though.
February 10, 2010 at 10:33 am #57509ParticipantSaddle arrived yesterday! Can’t ride in it yet as I’m waiting for some stirrups etc. but I tried it on him and it seemed to fit pretty snug! It’s absolutely light as a feather and so soft – just like a cushion. I’m not sure I’ll need extra padding at the moment, given how little riding we do and how well it fits. There is attachments for a crupper.
February 10, 2010 at 6:52 pm #57505MemberThere is attachments for a crupper.
🙂
let me know eventually how you’re doing; am planning the same feat with mine this year……February 20, 2010 at 11:52 am #57515Berta
ParticipantI’m a little bit late coming into this discussion but I’ve got a suggestion.
I worked with horses for most of my youth and had a bunch of equipment around when I got into oxen. I’ve been using a bareback pad on my boys with a thick saddle pad (western style) under it. The bareback pad is suede and gives me good grip while the heavy saddle pad underneath helps to make the spine less uncomfortable under my butt.
One wears a halter and a curb chain attached to reins (NO bit) for stearing, the other goes with nothing on his head, just a short crop to use like a goad – touch the neck to have him turn, forhead to stop.I agree with the need for a crupper if you’re going to be doing a lot of riding. After 45 min or so, I usually have to hop off and re-adjust the setup ‘caus it’s moving up his shoulders.
February 20, 2010 at 1:53 pm #57510ParticipantYeah had I known I would hate riding in stirrups so much I would have saved myself some cash and got a bareback pad instead! I have found the saddle works it’s way forward, so a crupper is next on the shopping list! 😀 You live and learn!
I just use a headcollar on Ang, and the reins aren’t used for steering very much (unless I need a huge turn), just a goad and leg cues are fine for him 🙂
September 4, 2011 at 11:15 am #57513ParticipantIxy, I couldn’t remember your web site to talk to you directly, but – I’m finally (almost) riding!! The saddles just wouldn’t stay put without some kind of crupper arrangement, so I gave it up for now.
The past 2 days I’ve been on Snooks bareback with reins and he’s done quite well. He’s not used to my not being in front or beside him, so has trouble thinking it’s ok to walk forward. Once I can convince him to start out, he walks along without trying to throw me. He does, however try to go through brushy places, maybe to brush me off, but not vigorously.
I am so buzzed!! I love it!! I can’t wait to keep it up.
If I had a round pen or somebody to help lead it would be easier, but we work with what we have. I do wear a helmet.
oxnunSeptember 4, 2011 at 8:20 pm #57502Vicki
ParticipantYou are all having so much fun riding your steers! I have wanted to but never did.
Jay Frenz of Cattaragas County, NY had a big Guernsey he rode for show. Jay had a special saddle made; just a leather seat with padding, no stirrups, to help keep on because the steers are so slippery. Sounds a lot like the bareback pad. Jay used a fence or corral to get up on the ox.
September 10, 2011 at 10:07 am #57511ParticipantSaddle fitting is tough – I got mine used to taking direction from behind before riding, by long reining, then really the only difference is the weight on their back at the same time once you’re on. I’m at this stage with my jersey now – he’s very willing to follow, i think it will be tough to push him ahead of me?
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