Barefoot Saddles - anyone experienced with these?

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Fifty Bales of Hay

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I am looking into buying or trying a Barefoot London Dressage Saddle second-hand.

How can you tell what age a 2nd hand saddle is? Is there any reference or serial numbers on them from manufacture?

I've read about VPS - how do you identify if a 2nd hand saddle has VPS or doesn't? Is it beneficial to have VPS or is this only for certain shapes a benefit?

What kind of pad do I need to use? It's recommended to use a Grandeur pad, so guess it's best to buy one of these too if it doesn't come with one?

Many thanks.
 
Hi
I have a Barefoot and you can tell the age by a serial number that you should find under one of the saddle flaps, if you can't find one it's old. You must buy as new as possible. PM me the saddle and i'll tell you what i think if you want
Previous to the vps the saddles had a zip on the cantle, so if there is a zip it's before 2005( i think) i wouldn't buy. You need vps, it gives better spinal clearance
The number will be quite long
I did a post on here about how to work it out but i can't find it
If you can post the number i might be able to work it out again, mines outside and i'm in bed but can look tomorrow and post back on here
I use a Grandeur pad with shims, you can use Haf too or there are others. I like Grandeur and you can order without the wool bottom if you prefer, i opted for cotton, they are not cheap but last for years
 
I found the thread for you and anyone else who wants to know. It is REALLY important, please don't put and old, old treeless saddle on a horse

All Barefoot saddles after 2003 and Spring 2005 have a serial number somewhere on them, mine is under the flap
for example
01 02 15 3710 443 or a number a bit longer
01 = the model of the saddle, in this case 01 = the Cheyenne
02= the colour, in this case 02 is brown, 01 is black
15= the seat size in western, in this case 15= size 1 , 17= size 2 and 13=size 0
3710= the week and year of production, in this case week 37 of 2010
The last number is not important , it's just for the manufacturer
 
Just a query, but why do you want the BF London specifically? Have you tried this saddle before? What sort of horse have you got?

I say this because having tried this saddle on my cob, it really wasn't a good fit at all! Barefoots, IME, don't generally sit best on chunky cobs, all they'll do is just put you even wider, which is really not where your hips want to be! Plus the saddle is unstable on low-withered horses......

If you wanted to "try out" a Barefoot, your best bet, and this is just my own experience mind, is to try the Cherokee which is the "middle-of-the-road" of the Barefoot saddles. Or the Cheyenne. If you want knee rolls go for the Cherokee, if you're not fussed, go for the Cheyenne.

The London is their dressage version saddle basically; it is what it is....... and if your horse is narrower and/or with a high wither like an Arab or WB type, it might well suit you. I did try the Lexington, it has a seriously stoopid high cantle - and when I say "high", it was over 6-inches high and not at all suitable for a cob, it was awful frankly.

Also consider what size BF you want. The saddle is based on the rider's size; I would recommend the size 1 for most people apart from someone say a size 16 plus basically. The size 2 is HUGE, it really is, I rode in one once and just felt incredibly unstable in it.

(Edited) re. pad. Yes you WILL need a pad; don't ever ride treeless without a pad! You could so easily damage your horse's back. The Grandeur pads are custom-made for the Barefoot saddles, you might find that if you were to buy another sort, the D-rings and fastenings might well not tally-up with the saddle. You could have a look on e-bay or any of the second-hand sites, someone may be selling one? But if you can, aim to buy a saddle which already comes as a set with the pad as they can be pricey!
 
Shady - can you tell me why you wouldn't advise buying an older one?
I do have an old Barefoot Cheyenne which has been very useful over the years. I don't use it as my main saddle (I have a Saddle Company Saddle) so it is my reserve but it does come out for temporary use when needed or as first saddle experience for youngsters. I have always used the Grandeur pads with it.
 
How well they work depends on the shape of your horse. I know someone with an Arabian who swears by them, but I tried a Lexington on my Shire-TBx some years ago and she was very much like, "WTF is this crap?" They don't work on horses with shark-fin withers. It didn't work for me, either. The ridiculously high pommel made posting the trot uncomfortable, to say the least!
 
Tarragon said:
Shady - can you tell me why you wouldn't advise buying an older one?
I do have an old Barefoot Cheyenne which has been very useful over the years. I don't use it as my main saddle (I have a Saddle Company Saddle) so it is my reserve but it does come out for temporary use when needed or as first saddle experience for youngsters. I have always used the Grandeur pads with it.
Click to expand...
Hi Tarragon
There's old and then there's OLD and knackered with no structure left in it, no support at all , fine for very short use or perhaps backing but not for a good hack.
Barefoots are made up of layers of various materials which over time compress and even with a good pad there is not a lot left to help your horse's back.
This is an example of what i would not buy( sorry if it offends anybody, it is my opinion from knowing treeless saddles better than treed ones) to be fair it says it's well used, some like this don't
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barefoot...860147?hash=item4d7d5f01b3:g:pjUAAOSwf~9ZX~SR
This is a really good second hand one providing the advert is correct
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barefoot...899489?hash=item363b58a661:g:SAMAAOSwsB9bl4ut

I think Barefoot realised that the saddles weren't offering enough support so re- worked the layers , adding more or changing the materials used and calling it the new VPS system( vertebrae protection system) so anything before 2003/5 is the older style and that is ok if the saddle has had little use but not if it has lost it's structure.
Phew.... hope that makes sense!!
 
Shady said:
Hi Tarragon

I think Barefoot realised that the saddles weren't offering enough support so re- worked the layers , adding more or changing the materials used and calling it the new VPS system( vertebrae protection system) so anything before 2003/5 is the older style and that is ok if the saddle has had little use but not if it has lost it's structure.
Phew.... hope that makes sense!!
Click to expand...

Perfect sense - thank you :-)
 
Shady - thank you I am going to PM you if thats OK.

I suppose I wanted the London because it's straight cut and looks better on my pony who isn't a chunky cob, is wide though, but may consider the Cherokee - as yes definitely want knee rolls.
 
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