Pictures Barefoot saddles

[HaplessHorse]

Overall, I quite like it and Cob hasn’t had any issues with it that I can see. I find it comfy and it doesn’t put me in a chair seat (which I know can be an issue for these saddles), but I have a couple of issues.

The first issue being I’m not sure how to fit it/how it should fit, and I don’t know of any fitters in the area. To me it just looks a bit off and a bit too big on her. (Hence why photo attached)

Another issue I’ve had is that I managed to dislocate my hip on it this morning because my leg caught on the cantle when I was getting off. However, this issue is less significant. I’d be more worried about it with a different horse, but she’s happy to stand and wait for me to right myself and pop my femur back into place. It’s still not ideal, so any tips or tricks are appreciated.

I don’t jump and I tend to prefer sitting trot with cob. Once I’m confident with her, I intend to take off the stirrups entirely and use it as an extra-comfortable bareback pad.

 

[Caol Ila]

I used to ride in a similarly designed treeless saddle. The biggest issue I had with them is that it was very hard to get the plastic pommel insert to not compress the shoulders. I am not sure if pressure distribution is particularly great because of that design. You have one hard bit over the withers, lots of soft bits, and your butt in the middle. That said, my gelding went well in it for a few years (it stopped working for him eventually) but both my current mare and my old mare hated it from the outset.

 

[Jenko109]

Ill admit i have used the same saddle for about 20 years. On a number of different ponies and horses.

I have never had it 'fitted' and have plonked it straight off one and onto another.

My horses have always had their backs checked every six months or so and have always been seemingly fine.

That said, I only slog along on a loose rein and dont do anything proper. I also have never weighed anymore than 10 stone, which I am sure must help.

 

[Jenko109]

Oh. One thing though.

Im not up to date with all the new swanky stirrups, but as these saddles have closed stirrup bars, you really should have safety stirrups on, like Peacocks ?

Sorry if the ones you have are actually quick release somehow ..

 

[planete]

Just make sure your saddle is fitted with a pommel insert of the right width for your horse. I have to alternate between an extra wide pommel insert and a soft one with mine to make sure his shoulders are not restricted. The minute he starts pulling a face at me when I go to girth him up I know to go wider. Length wise is not too important with a treeless unless you are sitting on the back of the saddle. Second the safety stirrups observation unless you have the new open stirrup bars attachment.

 

[HaplessHorse]

Oh. One thing though.

Im not up to date with all the new swanky stirrups, but as these saddles have closed stirrup bars, you really should have safety stirrups on, like Peacocks ?

Sorry if the ones you have are actually quick release somehow ..

Yes, they came with those stirrups, I prefer peacocks. So, I checked them and they do have a quick release system that seems to work quite nicely.

 

[HaplessHorse]

Just make sure your saddle is fitted with a pommel insert of the right width for your horse. I have to alternate between an extra wide pommel insert and a soft one with mine to make sure his shoulders are not restricted. The minute he starts pulling a face at me when I go to girth him up I know to go wider.

I’ll have a look at the insert, I did find a guide on it the earlier today so I’ll have a look at that. I think it is quite possible that she’s dropped a size or two because she’s lost weight (in a good way) and gained a bit of muscle.

Yesterday I didn’t even know about pommel inserts! I’m very used to the old treed saddles

 

[planete]

I’ll have a look at the insert, I did find a guide on it the earlier today so I’ll have a look at that. I think it is quite possible that she’s dropped a size or two because she’s lost weight (in a good way) and gained a bit of muscle.

Yesterday I didn’t even know about pommel inserts! I’m very used to the old treed saddles

Ifyou need help with deciding on the width of pommel insert go to https://www.barefootsaddlesusa.com/v/vspfiles/templates/barefootcust/images/faq/inserttemplate.pdf

 

[sbloom]

You should find that most treeless fitters/dealers will offer advice remotely, I would contact the company and ask.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I don't know whereabouts you are OP, but I DO know of a manufacturer (Master Saddler with Royal Appointment actually!) who is the only person I'd ever ask to fit a treeless saddle. He is in South Devon, and crazily busy always, but he has come out to me before.

What you need to look at is the "paddle-shaped" part of the gullet, and how it sits on the horse's shoulders. If the gullet is too narrow, the "blade" of the "paddle" bit will dig in, and be uncomfortable. Conversely if the gullet is too wide then the saddle will sit too low and you will get pressure issues. Hope this is making sense. What you are looking for is a straight line down the "paddles" part of the gullet, in line with the shape of the horse's shoulder.

What I would say is, from my own experience - being totally candid here - is that a Barefoot saddle OP might not be the best choice for the type of horse you have. On a wide horse, they will just sit you even wider, and you will experience trouble with your hips/sacroiliac area, as I did. Also - without correct fitting - you may find that your horse gets sore, mine did, it wasn't actually a Barefoot it was a Torsion that made her sore, and was pointed out to my on her physio check, so be aware that these sorts of saddle need as much care with fitting as a treed saddle does as it is very easy to have them fitted incorrectly (the gullet DOES need changing according to the shape of the horse!) and they will then cause pain.

I now ride with the Total Contact Saddle. This won't suit everyone, but might be worth a try?? You can try-before-you-buy with them.

 

[sbloom]

Just to point out that yes, the arch in the front will need to be the right width/angle, but that is a given and THEN you check balance. Too wide a headplate is more likely to make a saddle too low in front, but it's easy to imply from that that if the saddle is too low in front you need to go narrower. Because treeless saddles aren't held up in front with points, and don't have flocking, balance is adjusted with shims. I presume it's shimmed into the pad with this system, the one I work with has two ways to shim the saddle itself plus a correction for the rider if they find the pommel too low for their pelvis when the saddle's in balance, so it depends on the brand.

 

[planete]

Barefoot sell a hip saver if you need a narrower twist. I have it on my Torsion and it has made a huge difference. It sits between the base and the seat when fitted.