You should recieve two objects - the Saddle System and the Saddle. The Saddle System is the object that will allow people to ride a Hoof It Horse Avatar - it consists of two poseballs, one for the Rider position, and one for the Horse (which is more of a poseblock, but you get the idea).
The Saddle is simply an object that you can wear, with no functions. This means you can offer bareback rides without a saddle, or just wear a saddle as an accessory.
Different styles of Saddles may be available for individual purchase - however, they will not allow people to ride you without the Saddle System. They are for decoration only.
Getting startedDrop the Saddle System onto the ground. Wear the Saddle if required.
Turn off any Animation Override devices you're wearing (including the Horse AO).
Right-click on the blue block and select 'saddle up'.
If you're the rider, right-click the pink poseball and select 'saddle up' (or touch it to sit). You won't be able to move until there's a horse under that saddle! Use the up, down, forward and back commands to change your seating position until you're sitting comfortably.
General UseThe OWNER is the person who bought the Saddle System. The GUEST is any other person who uses either of the poseballs. Either person can be the HORSE or the RIDER. You do not have to be wearing the Saddle for the Saddle System to work.
The horse or the rider can be in control of steering. This is determined by who sits on the system first. If the horse sits first, the horse is in control. However, if they don't own the Saddle System, they won't be able to go anywhere without the OWNER being on board.
The OWNER of the Saddle System always has overall control. This means you can 'throw' a rider, or a horse (unsit them). If you are the HORSE and you have no rider, you can move around as usual. If your GUEST is the horse and you dismout, they cannot move - so they can't run away with your Saddle System! The Saddle System will not move unless the OWNER is in either the Rider or Horse position.
The RIDER can always control their sitting height (see the commands below). It doesn't matter if they're the OWNER or GUEST. It's up to them to make sure they're sitting right!
MovingWalk, trot, canter, gallop and jump as you usually would - couldn't be easier! This model doesn't allow you to fly - this is a horse saddle, not a pegasus saddle!
If you cross a sim border and have issues (as we all do!) just hop off the Saddle System and back on and order should be restored. The Saddle System is copyable so if it gets lost on a sim crossing you will still have a copy in your inventory.
CommandsThe saddle will listen to two people - the OWNER and the RIDER.
Owner commands:- /1 show - show the rider poseball
- /1 hide - hide the rider poseball
- /1 throw - unseats the guest (whether rider or horse)
- /1 up - move your riding position up
- /1 down - move your riding position down
- /1 fwd - move your riding position forwards
- /1 back - move your riding position back
These commands allow riders of different heights to move themselves so that they sit correctly. Repeat them until you're in the correct position.
The rider can control the speed of the horse (if they are in control, i.e. sat on the System first) using the same keyboard shortcuts the horse uses:
When moving straight, tapping C moves you up a gait (e.g. walk to trot). Tap S to slow down.
When standing still, tapping W and C will move you up a gait. Tapping W and S will slow you down.
Permissions
The saddle and saddle system are fully mod and copy (with the exception of the scripts and animations which are copy only) - this allows you to customise it as you wish, and make backup copies in case anything goes wrong. Please, make a copy before you modify anything!
If you'd like to give a saddle as a gift, gift certificates are available in the main Hoof It store, or you can use the 'buy as gift' feature for my products on Xstreet SL.
RefundsSince the saddles are copy/no transfer I can't provide refunds - all sales are final.
If a part gets broken when you're making alterations, I can replace that piece, but it'd be really nice if I didn't have to so PLEASE make a copy of your saddle before you do anything to it!
Updates and Replacements
If updates are released they will be provided free of charge. Updates will be announced on this website and to the Hoof It group, which is free to join.
FAQI'm wearing the saddle but nobody can ride me. What's going on?
The saddle is simply for decoration, you don't even need to wear it. Rez the Saddle System and hop on!
I'm wearing the Saddle System but nothing's happening :(
The saddle system is a vehicle rather than an attachment. You need to place it in world, and then sit on one
of the poseballs.
I'm changing gear but the animations aren't changing.
This sometimes happens when you change gait using the shortcut keys. Simply stop holding 'forward' for a second and
press it again and the correct animation will start.