julie111
Well-Known Member
Evening all, just wondered if anyone can help me. Would a 16 1/2" freeform saddle be suitable for a short backed 14hh cob type pony and a size 12 rider. Also are they any good? Thanks
Freeform treeless saddle
- Thread starter julie111
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julie111
Well-Known Member
Anyone please!
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
These saddles tend to come up large, so TBH I'd have thought (only my opinion) that a 16.5 saddle would be OK for a 14.2/size 12 rider - more than enough in fact, you may get away with a 16" actually.
I had a Freeform saddle for mine: bought it quite cheaply off e-bay as a sort of trial.
Initially I loved it, thought it was THE most comfy saddle I'd ever sat in, a bit like sinking into a huge, soft, feathery sofa. And that is precisely what was wrong with it!!! Because after a while, and particularly so after more than an hours riding, I began to get pain in my lower back, simply because IMO it just wasn't giving me enough support and I was obviously compensating posturally.
Also I noticed that when we'd been out for a long ride and the horse had sweated up, I could see indentation where the stirrup bars sat; not good with a treeless saddle as it means that the pressure from the stirrup bars is going straight onto the horse's back.
In the end I got rid of it.
Have tried Barefoots and they're mega tricky to get the sizing right for me & horse, I've basically given up on them regrettably, though they are lovely saddles and are supposed to be good at giving the horse support where its needed; I'd think tho' that you'd be fine with a size 1 as the size 2 would come up absolutely gigantic.
The saddle I've got now I absolutely love: its an Exmoor "Tree-Free" one. Am happy to recommend them, nice people & nice saddles (Johann and Andrea, Buckfastleigh, Devon). You can trial their saddles for a week with option to purchase. They are both Master Saddlers and put all their expertise into designing treeless saddles and have made sure they've given plenty of support and thought to protection of the horse's back plus rider comfort. You can sometimes, albeit rarely, pick the saddles up on E-bay (I did and saved a lot of money )
(Edited): I had the Freemax Evo........... if you're buying then do make sure you don't get a cheap & nasty little imitation from India which unfortunately are flooding E-bay
I had a Freeform saddle for mine: bought it quite cheaply off e-bay as a sort of trial.
Initially I loved it, thought it was THE most comfy saddle I'd ever sat in, a bit like sinking into a huge, soft, feathery sofa. And that is precisely what was wrong with it!!! Because after a while, and particularly so after more than an hours riding, I began to get pain in my lower back, simply because IMO it just wasn't giving me enough support and I was obviously compensating posturally.
Also I noticed that when we'd been out for a long ride and the horse had sweated up, I could see indentation where the stirrup bars sat; not good with a treeless saddle as it means that the pressure from the stirrup bars is going straight onto the horse's back.
In the end I got rid of it.
Have tried Barefoots and they're mega tricky to get the sizing right for me & horse, I've basically given up on them regrettably, though they are lovely saddles and are supposed to be good at giving the horse support where its needed; I'd think tho' that you'd be fine with a size 1 as the size 2 would come up absolutely gigantic.
The saddle I've got now I absolutely love: its an Exmoor "Tree-Free" one. Am happy to recommend them, nice people & nice saddles (Johann and Andrea, Buckfastleigh, Devon). You can trial their saddles for a week with option to purchase. They are both Master Saddlers and put all their expertise into designing treeless saddles and have made sure they've given plenty of support and thought to protection of the horse's back plus rider comfort. You can sometimes, albeit rarely, pick the saddles up on E-bay (I did and saved a lot of money
)(Edited): I had the Freemax Evo........... if you're buying then do make sure you don't get a cheap & nasty little imitation from India which unfortunately are flooding E-bay
Last edited:
catkin
Well-Known Member
On a Freeform the base and seat are separate so the sizing can be customised for horse/rider combo.
What size is the saddle - is it a short-base or standard. Short-base is approx 21 inches long - it depends upon your horses shape whether it will fit or not. Standard is longer. I find the seats are a bit bigger than a treed saddle of the same seat size but it all depends upon your conformation whether thats true for everyone.
please make sure that what you are looking at is a genuine Freeform.
What size is the saddle - is it a short-base or standard. Short-base is approx 21 inches long - it depends upon your horses shape whether it will fit or not. Standard is longer. I find the seats are a bit bigger than a treed saddle of the same seat size but it all depends upon your conformation whether thats true for everyone.
please make sure that what you are looking at is a genuine Freeform.
julie111
Well-Known Member
These saddles tend to come up large, so TBH I'd have thought (only my opinion) that a 16.5 saddle would be OK for a 14.2/size 12 rider - more than enough in fact, you may get away with a 16" actually.
I had a Freeform saddle for mine: bought it quite cheaply off e-bay as a sort of trial.
Initially I loved it, thought it was THE most comfy saddle I'd ever sat in, a bit like sinking into a huge, soft, feathery sofa. And that is precisely what was wrong with it!!! Because after a while, and particularly so after more than an hours riding, I began to get pain in my lower back, simply because IMO it just wasn't giving me enough support and I was obviously compensating posturally.
Also I noticed that when we'd been out for a long ride and the horse had sweated up, I could see indentation where the stirrup bars sat; not good with a treeless saddle as it means that the pressure from the stirrup bars is going straight onto the horse's back.
In the end I got rid of it.
Have tried Barefoots and they're mega tricky to get the sizing right for me & horse, I've basically given up on them regrettably, though they are lovely saddles and are supposed to be good at giving the horse support where its needed; I'd think tho' that you'd be fine with a size 1 as the size 2 would come up absolutely gigantic.
The saddle I've got now I absolutely love: its an Exmoor "Tree-Free" one. Am happy to recommend them, nice people & nice saddles (Johann and Andrea, Buckfastleigh, Devon). You can trial their saddles for a week with option to purchase. They are both Master Saddlers and put all their expertise into designing treeless saddles and have made sure they've given plenty of support and thought to protection of the horse's back plus rider comfort. You can sometimes, albeit rarely, pick the saddles up on E-bay (I did and saved a lot of money
(Edited): I had the Freemax Evo........... if you're buying then do make sure you don't get a cheap & nasty little imitation from India which unfortunately are flooding E-bay
Thank you for your reply, barefoot look good but I have been told would be too long for my pony. The Tree Free look fab but are unfortunately out of my price range at the moment. Maybe I should keep saving!
julie111
Well-Known Member
Hi, thank you for your reply. I'm not sure how long the base is. It looks like a nice saddle but mjrbt's comment about indentation from the stirrup bars is a concern. I think I need to do more homework on them!
LittleBlackMule
Well-Known Member
I'm a bit confused by Mijods comment, you start out by saying you had a Freeform, but ended saying it was a Freemax. ??
If it was actually the Freemax then I'm not surprised you had issues. They are made by totally separate companies and a lot more research and technology has gone into developing the Freeform, hence the higher price and superior weight distribution.
If it was actually the Freemax then I'm not surprised you had issues. They are made by totally separate companies and a lot more research and technology has gone into developing the Freeform, hence the higher price and superior weight distribution.