Barefoot Arizona Western Saddle

[Cloud9]

I got the chance to try a Barefoot Arizona Treeless Saddle on my horse tonight and was suprised at how much I really liked it - it looked really good - and so comfortable - has anyone tried one - any recommendations/negative comments etc. I have always had trouble getting saddles to fit my cob and wonder if I should go down this route. Although will have to start to save up for one if I do decide its what I want to do, unless I see a bargain on e-bay - although not seen the western style on there very much!!

 

[Lollii]

Sorry, I have never tried a treeless saddle - no help at all sorry! but if you like it - buy it!!

 

[Ashgrove]

I use a treeless saddle, a Total Saddle Solutions gp saddle.
I've struggled to find a treed saddle to fit my cob X warmblood and treeless suits her / us, it also accomodates any weight loss (yeah right!) or weight gain throughout the year.
I've often looked out for treeless western saddles because they look so comfortable.
I've also used a Heather Moffatt saddle, very comfortable but the one I had wasn't forward cut enough for jumping.

 

[Theresa_F]

I have the barefoot London which I use on my gypsy cob to hack out and do basic schooling. I bought it when he was rising 3 as his first saddle as I knew he was going to change shape so much. I still use it, but also now have a nice show saddle.

The barefoot is very very comfortable for hacking out in (very similar to our western saddle) and the saddle is good quality and well made.

Do make sure you get the pad designed for it as the correct pad is very important and you can get real problems if you don't use one. I have my horses backs checked every year and there is no sign of saddle damage to date.

The barefoot is probably the best of the cheaper end (less than £600) of the market. I would not touch anything cheaper than this. If buying new, you can save money by getting a package of the girth, pad, saddle and stirrup leathers.

Barefoot also come with three different pommel widths - my cob and clydes have been fine in the standard, but they do have withers and are not flat table top backs - if you have this sort you may need the wide pommel.

Horse & Harmony are doing a package for the saddle you like and are very helpful if you call them, good customer service.

http://www.horseandharmony.co.uk/shop/in...g7pb7ipliso0861

I must confess I really like the Missoula - similar to our conventional western in looks but I bet so much less weight.

Prices of the barefoot have gone up - my package is now about £150 more since I bought it 2 1/2 years ago.

I also used this on our old clydesdale who loved it - went amazing in the school and have used it a few times on the new clydesdale.

Friend rode my cob in it the other night and liked it so much, she is going to try it on her horse to see how he goes in it and is thinking of getting one herself.

Some people hate treeless and with the barefoot do make sure you get the correct size - I have the size 1 as I am a 12/14 but if you are anything bigger than a 14, you will need the size 2.

Finally thing - don't jump in it - I can do say 1'6 but anything bigger tends to get a bit hairy and when I forgot a few weeks ago which saddle I was in and did 2'6 and Chancer jumped big, it was a very near thing that I stayed onboard - but that may also be due to my riding on very long stirrups and lack of talent.

 

[TPO]

I personally don't like treeless saddles so can't help you there but I've had contact with Maria re western saddles and she appears to be quite into treeless. This is her website and I'm sure if you contact her she'll be more than willing to help you out and share what she knows about them www.western-saddler.co.uk

Good luck

 

[Cloud9]

Hi all - thanks for your responses - I might look into this - it would be a 2nd saddle to be honest as have recently had a normal treed saddle - the treeless seem to have become a bit common on our yard - everyone buying them - tried on the normal torsion type ones and the Barefoot cheyenne and did not like the look at all - comfortable but not for me - but when I saw the western style I really liked it - so its not an essential but something I would like to buy!! - better win the lottery tonight I think.