Bles fully loaded: Horse equipment one step further to completion

The past weeks I've been working on getting my horse equipment closer to completion, making some of the simple cloth bags and such. Especially relevant as I'll need them for the campaign weekend at La Boissiere... After all, it's "if you can't carry it you're not taking it".

Today I had the opportunity to check it all out on my horse, Bles. He didn't seem to mind the extra luggage so much, other than that it extends the already annoying (to him) saddling process even further...

 

I made a cloth cover for my D-style eating tin, stored on the porte-manteau, and a pair of linen saddle bags, carried in front of the saddle. Since I don't have the pistol holsters yet, and my saddle has a straight (vertical) pommel, they seem to sit a little low. I think that together with the porte-manteau (still on loan from Martijn until I have made my own), I've got enough carrying capacity.

 

Also on proud display is my brand-spanking new cloak, that I finished over my summer holiday. Yes, that'd be the dark blue thing stored above the saddle bags.

 

Fortunately, it all comes together very comfortable during riding, hardly seem to notice the bags at all, except maybe just a little when cantering.

Now I just have to finish 2 shako couvres before Thursday....

Bles, uniform and new saddle

Tried out my new saddle during a very pleasant weekend of napoleonic civilian riding at the Archeon - a lot of fun and truly excellent company!

 

NB. Unfortunately no pictures of the much better looking female company, as they were taking these pictures. My humble apologies.

My horse, Bles ('Blaze') certainly seemed to enjoy most of the weekend, but was hard challenged by the speed at walk and trot of Albert's trotter (Kidnapper). Had to feel sorry for Bles, trying to keep up with a horse that will trot about as fast as Bles will canter.

 

Also took the opportunity to ride for a little bit in my newly acquired Boreel uniform. Unfortunately without headdress, and the trousers are obviously too short. I was very relieved that it all 'works' well and is a heck of a lot more comfortable than 'classy' 15th century clothes.

The below picture is one of the cool ones - there's a lot of others that make me grimace at my riding style - work to be done there, for sure.

 

Look what came in the mail - Indian UP saddle

I got a very nice surprise today: The saddle and stirrups that I ordered from sellerie-occitane.com arrived in the mail!They offer a very affordable UP saddle of indian manufacture, and since I needed a new saddle to do napoleonic light cavalry, I ordered this. It beats any and all offers for refurbished UP's that I've come across, so kinda hard to refuse.

 

First impression: It's a saddle!
Second impression: It's a UP!
Third impression: Looks servicable and sturdy enough - the metal is a lot thicker than on my Hungarian UP.
Fourth impression: Some of the finishes do look a bit rough

View from the front:

 

View from the rear:

 

Cantle support:

 

Pommel support:

 

Pommel close-up:

 

Height of seat leather above tree and webbing:

 

The leather of the seat extends very flat, and doesn't curve down much at all. Right now, it is a very unpleasant seat with the edges digging into my thighs. I am a bit concerned here, but fully realise it's probably because the leather is brand spanking new and still has to settle. I have never owned a brand new UP, or any brand new saddle, so don't know if it's normal. I expect it will settle in quickly enough with riding.

Roller in cantle:

 

This roller looks particularly rough - a tiny bit of extra effort would have looked a lot better. Also, note the cutout, that doesn't look realy finished.

Roller in cantle, seen from rear:

 

Strap mount:

 

Overall there are a few minor gripes about the finish, but it looks like a saddle that will be durable enough. For the price, I wasn't expecting a perfect finish.

I'm really keen to try it on my horse, can't wait for the weekend!