Gettin' closer all the time

[Remy]

Still doin' my research folks, but gettin' closer all the time........I have a couple of questions.

(1) Is there a special type of saddle you must use for a Paso Fino? Can I use a regular saddle if it fits? I have an Ansur treeless dressage saddle, an Ansur treeless Lewis & Clark (trail) saddle and a Wintec (with tree) saddle with CAIR and adjustable gullet. Or should I look for a specific type of saddle for the PF?

(2) Also when I make the trip back to the US to look for a Paso Fino, is it a good idea to look for a mare that has been bred. Kind of like getting two for one? Would it be cheaper in the long run than shipping two? Or is this a stoooopid idea? I have plenty of those.

(3) Would it better to ship a couple of mares and then use A/S? Can this be done with me being so far away from you guys? Thanks for any help. Olga

[Abejita]

A lot of paso peeps use the treeless.A rule of thumb is nothing like jump or all purpose with flaps forward as it can interfere with shoulder movement..I think you have the saddle already ;-)

The down side to shipping a pregnant mare is you would have the chance of loosing the foal due to stresses.I have no personal experience but would think if the mare isnt too far along in her pregnancy you would be OK .(like 9 months) It is also going to depend on the individual.Some mares never seem to mind being pregnant others may .

As far as usung AI (I assume that is what you are saying..artificial insemination, shipped semen? ) Where are you located? I think AI with semen shipped from the states you might have to use more frozen semen than fresh cooled.Frozen is more expensive to work withYou need a good repro vet that knows how to work with it.You have to palp the mare every few hours to know exacty when she is ov'ing unlike fresh ..It depends where you are located as far as that ..Not sure about flying fresh either ..still depends on location

[Pasogirlz]

It really just depends on the horse you get what saddle you will like on it, but the ones you have sound fine to start on.

We bought the mare in foal pkg too, but I agree, the shipping may be stressful for the mare. But I will ask around about this and see what the ppl here in Miami do when shipping Int'l.

[CarolU]

Olga, I use an Ansur on my Pasos, it's show ring legal and I LOVE IT! It's not the safest saddle on some horses though. As for treed saddles, you can use any saddle that fits properly, but watch back length, saddles with big skirts can interfere with hip movement. Unless you show, then there are rules for saddles and the class you are in (Western saddles for Western classes, English or Colombian for all other classes, Trail either/or), but the forward seat jumping saddle is illegal.

Shipping a pregnant mare carries risks and some have to do with how pregnant she is and how nervous she is. If you have a choice to ship her first and then AI her here, that is what I'd do. AI is pretty successful these days and many farms do it routinely instead of live cover. Semen can be shipped just about anywhere and all you need is a vet who knows what they are doing and the equipment. Plan ahead, since you need to time your mare's cycles.

When you AI, it is best to have the semen shipped overnight, so you can get it when needed.

[Heidi]

Isn't this the person who is looking to ship horses from US to Malaysia? How would this affect AI and frozen semen?
Heidi

[Abejita]

Thats what I wasnt sure of Heidi..I can almost bet frozen would have to be used.(you ship it so it stays frozen until the moment you breed.It has to be thawed at certain temps/rates.)

And then you better have a vet who knows what they are doing or you might as well set fire to your money..

[PattiB]

Forward seat saddle is legal in a class with a jump -Versatility and sometimes Trail.
Also a western saddle can be used in Pleasure classes as long as your attire is western also. You do have to use one hand when riding western except in Pleasure Schooling you can use two hands.
If you use a Colombian saddle the stirrups (leather covered) and the stirrup leathers (with the fenders) would have to be changed to English type for Performance and Fino