Edix Oakley & Barefoot Arizona Rose Western saddles

[Maxidoodle]

Does anyone have either of these saddles, or tried them?

Having recently entered into the world of Barefoot saddles, with a Barefoot Cherokee (which I love), I’m looking to replace my lovely Western Saddle with a brand new treeless western one, my current beautiful saddle is just too heavy and my mare prefers the barefoot (as I do). I’ve not really found an issue with the lack of twist but have now bought a hip saver and it’s definitely better.

I’ve messaged The Western Saddler, as they sell both, to see if they have either in stock to have a fitting and look at the saddles, as soon as I’m back in the UK, in the meantime, I’m wondering if anyone has any experience of either, I really like the look of the Edix Oakley but don’t have any knowledge of their western saddles. I don’t show and mainly hack/explore.

TIA

 

[Caol Ila]

A friend has an Edix Western saddle (not sure which one, though). She let me sit in it once, and it was one of those most uncomfortable things I have ever ridden in. No twist at all, and I felt like I was miles away from the horse's back, with no feel for what they were doing underneath me.

This isn't quite a traditional Western saddle and doesn't have a proper horn. But I now own two TreeFree saddles and I really rate them.

WESTERN | treefree-saddles

www.treefree-saddles.co.uk

 

[Maxidoodle]

A friend has an Edix Western saddle (not sure which one, though). She let me sit in it once, and it was one of those most uncomfortable things I have ever ridden in. No twist at all, and I felt like I was miles away from the horse's back, with no feel for what they were doing underneath me.

This isn't quite a traditional Western saddle and doesn't have a proper horn. But I now own two TreeFree saddles and I really rate them.

WESTERN | treefree-saddles

www.treefree-saddles.co.uk

ah, that’s interesting, I was wondering how comfy they were. I’ve currently got a Crates reining saddle but I find it so hard (I fell in love with how pretty it was and it fitted my mare beautifully at the time, so when hubby agreed to almost sell a kidney to buy it, I was sold on it), in reality, it’s a bit of a bum pincher for me and I miss my Circle Y park and trail I had on my previous mare, that was like a sofa. Thank you so much for the link for Treefree, I’m looking for something more “traditional” with heavily tooling and a horn.

 

[Caol Ila]

It’s such a pain to find Western tack here. Been having lots of faff setting up a Western hackamore.

And learning how to properly ride in it from YouTube because there are no hackamore horse trainers in Scotland, as far as I can tell.

 

[TPO]

I'm not a fan of treeless saddles, especially "western" styles, so can't help in that respect. However both brands you've mentioned appear on FB western pages frequently, usually someone trying to sell theirs on, but you might find other posters who rate them.







I used the person you mention in your OP, absolute barge pole. Make sure you get everything in writing if you do decide to engage with them including delivery times, response times and refund policy. Ask for their fitting notes too.





I'd recommend Jennifer from the Western Tack Trader, but she won't stock/fit/sell treeless. She covers the whole of England and responds promptly to all messages.

 

[Maxidoodle]

It’s such a pain to find Western tack here. Been having lots of faff setting up a Western hackamore.

And learning how to properly ride in it from YouTube because there are no hackamore horse trainers in Scotland, as far as I can tell.

Yes it is, trying to find anyone to respond to queries has even been difficult. Even here has been a nightmare just to make sure I had my Barefoot fitted correctly (as nearest fitter is a 6hr round trip away and wanted more than my second hand decent barefoot cost, just to come out. Thankfully, I stumbled across Barefoot Baltics (Estonia) and they’ve been unbelievable, even though I’ve never bought from them, they’ve helped me learn about barefoot and looked at multiple photos etc I sent and I got the barefoot fit spot on with their help. Is it a bosal with mecates that you’re using?

 

[Maxidoodle]

I'm not a fan of treeless saddles, especially "western" styles, so can't help in that respect. However both brands you've mentioned appear on FB western pages frequently, usually someone trying to sell theirs on, but you might find other posters who rate them.







I used the person you mention in your OP, absolute barge pole. Make sure you get everything in writing if you do decide to engage with them including delivery times, response times and refund policy. Ask for their fitting notes too.





I'd recommend Jennifer from the Western Tack Trader, but she won't stock/fit/sell treeless. She covers the whole of England and responds promptly to all messages.

I wasn’t sure about treeless myself but put a lot of research in and took a punt on a decent second hand one that popped up and I’m extremely pleased, my mare was starting to show reluctance with her western saddle, ears back etc and Ive Not ridden in it from the moment I was even a tiny bit unhappy with the fit.

Yes, we’ve spoke (on my previous username, as I could no longer log in for some reason) about Maria and I was reluctant but she’ll be the nearest stockist to where we are going to be living in the UK. I’m leaning towards the barefoot to be honest, as I feel more comfortable as I have one, so I may just order from someone else and forget dealing with her.

Thanks, if I was looking for a treed Western again, I would use Jennifer but I’m going to stick with the (decent) treeless route now.

 

[Caol Ila]

Yes it is, trying to find anyone to respond to queries has even been difficult. Even here has been a nightmare just to make sure I had my Barefoot fitted correctly (as nearest fitter is a 6hr round trip away and wanted more than my second hand decent barefoot cost, just to come out. Thankfully, I stumbled across Barefoot Baltics (Estonia) and they’ve been unbelievable, even though I’ve never bought from them, they’ve helped me learn about barefoot and looked at multiple photos etc I sent and I got the barefoot fit spot on with their help. Is it a bosal with mecates that you’re using?

Yeah, a bosal with mecates. There’s a guy called Matt in Gloucester who’s been helping me from photos and got me a beautiful bosal and alpaca mecate, but it would be handy to have someone here for fine tuning fitting and my technique. Not happening, though.

 

[TPO]

Yeah, a bosal with mecates. There’s a guy called Matt in Gloucester who’s been helping me from photos and got me a beautiful bosal and alpaca mecate, but it would be handy to have someone here for fine tuning fitting and my technique. Not happening, though.

I've already replied to you on previous posts that you've made saying the same thing. There is lots of help available from Blackford Glen Western riders (fb page & website to contact). Not only are there people there riding in bosals but they bring trainers over who are experts in producing bridle horses.

 

[Caol Ila]

I know you do, but I would have to get someone to me. I don’t have transport and can’t hire a box because they are all manual and I can’t drive stick.

 

[TPO]

I know you do, but I would have to get someone to me. I don’t have transport and can’t hire a box because they are all manual and I can’t drive stick.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































[/QUOTE































































































Doesn't stop you going and learning. There have been a load of trainers come



over and there's just as much to be learnt auditing as participating.







You are constantly complaining about horsemanship in Scotland along with a lack of access to trainers but don't make any effort to attend anything that is put on. If you keep doing what you've always done you'll have what you've always had.

 

[Caol Ila]

I know, but I would love to have a real human work directly with me and my horse. I have watched many videos and had audited clinics with Mark Rashid, but it was completely transformative when Gypsum and I did a clinic with him.

Changed her from the loping hackamore to the real bosal and mecate today. Just did a short hack, but it was a sweet feel.

 

[TPO]

Edited- deleted, no point being a broken record

 

[Maxidoodle]

I know, but I would love to have a real human work directly with me and my horse. I have watched many videos and had audited clinics with Mark Rashid, but it was completely transformative when Gypsum and I did a clinic with him.

Changed her from the loping hackamore to the real bosal and mecate today. Just did a short hack, but it was a sweet feel.

View attachment 109206

I think it does make a difference when you have someone stood in front of you that can check things over and give you some guidance. It’s very hard when you don’t have transport/can’t travel, I totally get that. I bet there’s so many more people up there that are tucked away that could help, even if they’re not an actual trainer. I’ve learnt a lot from just others in WES for example when I was sorting out new kit. At least you have the help of the guy who’s sorted you out your mecate (lovely by the way), I think mecates are invaluable, I won’t ride without them now (snaffle and slobber straps), I find having the extra rope to lead by is just so much simpler (and safer!). I think you’re doing great by the look of it.

 

[Caol Ila]

I think it does make a difference when you have someone stood in front of you that can check things over and give you some guidance. It’s very hard when you don’t have transport/can’t travel, I totally get that. I bet there’s so many more people up there that are tucked away that could help, even if they’re not an actual trainer. I’ve learnt a lot from just others in WES for example when I was sorting out new kit. At least you have the help of the guy who’s sorted you out your mecate (lovely by the way), I think mecates are invaluable, I won’t ride without them now (snaffle and slobber straps), I find having the extra rope to lead by is just so much simpler (and safer!). I think you’re doing great by the look of it.

Totally. It's just such a massive and pricey undertaking when you don't have easy access to transport. Clinics are usually a couple hundred pounds, but if you need to hire a horsebox and/or a driver, you can easily add another couple hundred to that. It's not just making excuses. It's economic reality. Just makes it prohibitively expensive. And if you don't have a trailer/lorry, your horse may not be accustomed to loading, so you could spend two hours trying to get them on the damned thing. Then another two hours of loading faff to return home. Which was me when I borrowed a friend's trailer to go to that Mark Rashid clinic (friend is now in Germany, and the car with the tow bar is no more).

Anyway, I do occasionally message people to ask if they come to the West of Scotland or know of anyone who does. So far, I've been striking out but I may get lucky some day. I see there's a Western riders in Scotland FB group, but it does not look like it has been active for some time.

 

[Maxidoodle]

Totally. It's just such a massive and pricey undertaking when you don't have easy access to transport. Clinics are usually a couple hundred pounds, but if you need to hire a horsebox and/or a driver, you can easily add another couple hundred to that. It's not just making excuses. It's economic reality. Just makes it prohibitively expensive. And if you don't have a trailer/lorry, your horse may not be accustomed to loading, so you could spend two hours trying to get them on the damned thing. Then another two hours of loading faff to return home. Which was me when I borrowed a friend's trailer to go to that Mark Rashid clinic (friend is now in Germany, and the car with the tow bar is no more).

Anyway, I do occasionally message people to ask if they come to the West of Scotland or know of anyone who does. So far, I've been striking out but I may get lucky some day. I see there's a Western riders in Scotland FB group, but it does not look like it has been active for some time.

Yes, it soon becomes extremely expensive. I’ve just sold my ifor and suddenly realised how difficult it would be to get anywhere (it’s helping the get back fund, so needs must).

I know Guy Robertson used to do some clinics and camps up there but I think it was around the borders. . Living someone pretty remote, I can really appreciate difficulties getting help. I don’t suppose WES go up that far? Maybe a shout out on their Facebook page might get someone to come out of the woodwork who really knows their stuff?

 

[Caol Ila]

Funny thing is that it's not remote. I'm seven miles from the biggest city in Scotland. However, it takes about 30 minutes to just get to a motorway because of how they designed the road network, which makes it a pain or very expensive if you're hiring a box to travel anywhere.

WES' trainer list has someone in East Lothian. May need to stalk her a bit because not every Western trainer in the world knows the hackamore. It's sort of far, but maybe not desperate. Used to have a classical trainer who lived in Auchterarder and travelled to Larkhall for me and one other rider, so people sometimes travel a fair way for clients.

 

[Maxidoodle]

Funny thing is that it's not remote. I'm seven miles from the biggest city in Scotland. However, it takes about 30 minutes to just get to a motorway because of how they designed the road network, which makes it a pain or very expensive if you're hiring a box to travel anywhere.

WES' trainer list has someone in East Lothian. May need to stalk her a bit because not every Western trainer in the world knows the hackamore. It's sort of far, but maybe not desperate. Used to have a classical trainer who lived in Auchterarder and travelled to Larkhall for me and one other rider, so people sometimes travel a fair way for clients.

ahh ok, maybe you’ll get someone to come out to you then a bit easier (if you can find them!). Sounds like a good stalking plan, hopefully she knows her way around the hackamore, everyone I found seems to have their favourite things, I struggled with mecate and a snaffle and ended up with you tube to help, as everyone I came across in real life was all about split reins or romals. They’ll have to bury me with my mecate

 

[Caol Ila]

I hear you about being buried with mecate. I just bought those alpaca ones and rode with them for the first time yesterday. I’d been using some cheapo nylon mecate, which suck. Don’t have the right weight or feel. But the alpaca is amazing.

 

[Maxidoodle]

I hear you about being buried with mecate. I just bought those alpaca ones and rode with them for the first time yesterday. I’d been using some cheapo nylon mecate, which suck. Don’t have the right weight or feel. But the alpaca is amazing.

, I’ve actually got a nylon mecate (they’re yacht rope but I think it’s still nylon) they’re really thick and heavyweight from an amazing tack shop in Weatherford, Texas that is my first port of call when I’m over there and absolutely love it, the other option I had was a horsehair mecate and I think my mare would have hated it, as she’s quite sensitive, are the alpaca ones really soft? Mine are a bit similar to these, I’ve only got small hands but they’re So nice to hold and a lovely weight. I couldn’t find any chocolate coloured slobber straps here recently, as I got a new barefoot headstall and just made some, I was struggling to colour the edging of the cut leather and hubby suggested a bit of soy sauce (which turned out to be the perfect shade), my mare couldn’t stop sniffing them , made me hungry to when I smelt them, thankfully the smell has faded now.

 

[Caol Ila]

, I’ve actually got a nylon mecate (they’re yacht rope but I think it’s still nylon) they’re really thick and heavyweight from an amazing tack shop in Weatherford, Texas that is my first port of call when I’m over there and absolutely love it, the other option I had was a horsehair mecate and I think my mare would have hated it, as she’s quite sensitive, are the alpaca ones really soft? Mine are a bit similar to these, I’ve only got small hands but they’re So nice to hold and a lovely weight. I couldn’t find any chocolate coloured slobber straps here recently, as I got a new barefoot headstall and just made some, I was struggling to colour the edging of the cut leather and hubby suggested a bit of soy sauce (which turned out to be the perfect shade), my mare couldn’t stop sniffing them , made me hungry to when I smelt them, thankfully the smell has faded now.

Good quality yacht rope must be nice but there is some cheap nylon rubbish out there.

Alpaca is softer than mane hair but the main advantage of it is that it can get wet and you won’t hate your life. It’s basically a type of wool, and there are reasons early mountaineers wore wool before nylon was invented. I was advised to not buy mane hair ones because Scotland. Mane hair is evidently horrible to handle and hard to dry when it gets wet.

I got the cheap nylon at first because I’d splashed out on the bosal. Realised you can’t really skimp on that part. I bought the good mecate wren I decided it was time for my mare to change from the loping hackamore to the real bosal. She’d done well in the loping hack so I thought she’d be fine in the bosal (unlike my gelding, who’s occasional moments of trying to take over steering were pretty successful in the bosal… it’s not the right thing for ever horse).

 

[Maxidoodle]

Good quality yacht rope must be nice but there is some cheap nylon rubbish out there.

Alpaca is softer than mane hair but the main advantage of it is that it can get wet and you won’t hate your life. It’s basically a type of wool, and there are reasons early mountaineers wore wool before nylon was invented. I was advised to not buy mane hair ones because Scotland. Mane hair is evidently horrible to handle and hard to dry when it gets wet.

I got the cheap nylon at first because I’d splashed out on the bosal. Realised you can’t really skimp on that part. I bought the good mecate wren I decided it was time for my mare to change from the loping hackamore to the real bosal. She’d done well in the loping hack so I thought she’d be fine in the bosal (unlike my gelding, who’s occasional moments of trying to take over steering were pretty successful in the bosal… it’s not the right thing for ever horse).

It’s really nice and weighty, yes, I’ve seen the thinner nylon mecate. The mane hair ones are incredibly prickly, even with my leather roping gloves on I could feel they were crunchy, I know it’s meant to improve neck reining but I think they’d drive me and any horse mad, as they’re just too prickly.

 

[Caol Ila]

The alpaca isn’t prickly at all. Rode in it with bare hands (I don’t like riding in gloves unless it’s freezing) and was quite happy!