Lorraine Stubbins’ mare, Tabby’s Keira, is a seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse that she bred herself. Keira’s sire is an Irish Draught/TB cross, a show jumper named ToBeSure from Vancouver, British Columbia. Keira’s dam is a thoroughbred mare.
Lorraine explains, “Keira is 16.2 hands and a really nice horse. She is returning to Arizona this winter with us where we are going to be camping in the desert and trail riding around the state. This will be her fourth trip in her short life. She is a very good traveler and a pleasure to be around.
“I have shown her a little at local riding club level shows, jumping and dressage and western dressage. I used to be an eventer years ago, but we have decided not to do any more competing and just to enjoy the trails now, from this year onward.”
Lorraine has always ridden her mare bitless in a Lindel Side pull and she goes barefoot – she has never been shod. Lorraine is a barefoot trimmer following the methods of Cheryl Edwards-Henderson of ABC Hoofcare and the Oregon School of Natural Hoofcare.
“It seemed a perfect fit for us to expand our natural journey to include a Barefoot Barrydale Saddle,” Lorraine continues. “We are in our first week with it and so far we are really enjoying it. Tonight I did a long fast gallop in mine and it felt great.
“My partner, Bill, just started riding in a Barefoot Tahoe this week too. We found it second hand and ordered it for me, but it was too big and happened to be a perfect fit for Bill. He rides a nine-year-old gelding, an Akhal-Teke/ Hanoverian cross called Andre, bitless, barefoot and now treeless! Bill keeps telling me how comfy his new saddle is and I think he sits very correctly in it.
“We are all four – two horses and two riders really enjoying our Barefoot journey. Thanks for carrying such nice quality well-engineered tack!”
Action Rider Tack 