This winter I became an horse owner for the first time in 25 years, but I was having an impossible time finding a saddle that fit my horse. I decided to give the Little Joe a try, and I intended to use stirrups. I’d been riding bareback out of necessity for about a month before it arrived–I was doing fine for over 40, and felt pretty secure. But I didn’t know what secure meant! This morning, I cantered along a twisting turning path in the woods for the first time since going to bareback, and I actually felt more secure than I had with the English saddle I’d been using. It was like my butt stuck to his back, and I was really balancing on the horse and riding him instead of feeling like I was balancing on a greased pole to save my life. Wow–it was like I was 17 again and riding in harmony with my horse just like I did back then when I rode as naturally as I breathed. Now I think that stirrups will just get in the way and I won’t use them. I felt more secure than I did in the leather saddle, and a ton more secure than just bareback–I was cantering and doing everything bareback, but not in a really relaxed way. Now I’m relaxed, steady, and stable, and my horse is responding to that confidence beautifully. Thanks Little Joe! The month-long wait was not only worth it, but gave me a base-line to judge just how great this product is!