Anna*
Well-Known Member
I was planning on getting a barefoot treeless for pony but have just noticed the freeform. I like the way that it looks a little more traditional but haven't heard much about them. Anyone ridden in one?
Freeform Treeless v Barefoot
- Thread starter Anna*
- Start date
debsg
Well-Known Member
Oh yes! Ive had my Freeform for 6 years, use it on my cob mare and have done every discipline in it, including 1m x country and endurance. I love it and so does my girl. Has worn well and still looks like new (when clean, lol)
Only negative ive found is I have to mount from a block/step/wall, whatever as it does slip if I mount from the ground. Alas im not as agile as I was and cob is somewhat ......'rounded'
which could have a lot to do with it!
Hope that's helpful xx
Only negative ive found is I have to mount from a block/step/wall, whatever as it does slip if I mount from the ground. Alas im not as agile as I was and cob is somewhat ......'rounded'
which could have a lot to do with it!Hope that's helpful xx
kaiserchief
Well-Known Member
I used to have two and absolutely adored them! They were immensely stable, comfortable, the weight distribution was fab and my pony went amazingly in them. BUT they are semi rigid, unlike the Barefoot, so the entire saddle needs to comfortably fit onto the pony's back (sounds obvious, but so many people assume that because a saddle is treeless, it's overall size isn't important) - I don't have one for my current pony as the only one small enough for him is the Junior, which is too small for me. The Short Base version is (if I remember correctly) 22" from front to back so this will need to be the absolute minimum length of your horse's back from the point of shoulder to the last rib in order to comfortably fit. If the saddle is too long for your horse, it will likely bridge in the middle and rub at the back.
You absolutely need to use the correct padding - I swear by the Haf Airnet pads (available from Goldfinch Equestrian: http://www.goldfinch-equestrian.co.uk/accessories.html) but you need to maintain them. Vaccuum the wool regularly, make sure you're using the correct shims, and if it gets really minging, pop it through the washing machine on a wool wash to bring it back. Let the wool get claggy and it will rub.
I'd definitely recommend trying before you buy if you can - it's useful to get the opinion of someone that knows the saddles well, and can help you set it up properly (the stirrups are moveable, for example, and getting them in the right place on your own can be tricky), and also, not every saddle will suit every horse or every rider. They aren't the cheapest saddle out there but they've been well proven in the field of endurance riding and mine suited me well for years and held their values well for when I came to sell them.
You absolutely need to use the correct padding - I swear by the Haf Airnet pads (available from Goldfinch Equestrian: http://www.goldfinch-equestrian.co.uk/accessories.html) but you need to maintain them. Vaccuum the wool regularly, make sure you're using the correct shims, and if it gets really minging, pop it through the washing machine on a wool wash to bring it back. Let the wool get claggy and it will rub.
I'd definitely recommend trying before you buy if you can - it's useful to get the opinion of someone that knows the saddles well, and can help you set it up properly (the stirrups are moveable, for example, and getting them in the right place on your own can be tricky), and also, not every saddle will suit every horse or every rider. They aren't the cheapest saddle out there but they've been well proven in the field of endurance riding and mine suited me well for years and held their values well for when I came to sell them.
Anna*
Well-Known Member
Thank you! I will see if I can find someone local to me in Sussex and go and have a look at their saddle. I used to have a dartmoor tree free but I'd like to do a little bit of jumping with my new mare and I found it difficult in that saddle.
Anna*
Well-Known Member
Out of interest, I have a 17" saddle at th moment as my mare is a fairly short backed haflinger and I'm 5'3. Wild the standard be too long? Have emailed the company but thought I'd ask here too!
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
I've ridden, just the once, in a Barefoot Cheyenne, size 2 (the larger size) on my 15hh traddie cob. It felt extremely wide, was very uncomfortable, and I didn't dare do anything more than just trot in it as I felt so insecure (OK so I'm a wuss and like my knee-rolls).
To be fair, the saddle was very probably way too big for me, and perhaps the smaller size 1 would have been a better fit. But I felt incredibly insecure and wasn't sorry to get off!
I bought a used Libra (leather) Trec on E-bay. Slightly better in that it has a nice knee-roll and I'm happy to canter in it, BUT still not really supportive the way I'd like. Its a lovely saddle, but It'll be going on e-bay shortly!
I did some research, looked at pictures, and have now got a Freemax Evo (synthetic). At last! COMFORT A really nice, comfy, supportive saddle. I've ridden in it for two hours and just felt like I'd been sitting on the settee, could have done it all again!! Its got a much narrower twist than other treeless saddles and I'm thinking of getting a leather version if one should come up on E-bay!
Ditto above advice re. padding: WHATEVER treeless saddle you decide to go for, you need to spend as much thought (and £££!!) on the saddle pad/shimming underneath as you do with the actual "saddle". Also ditto advice re. getting a trained eye/saddle fitter to look as you can do an awful lot of damage with a treeless saddle.
To be fair, the saddle was very probably way too big for me, and perhaps the smaller size 1 would have been a better fit. But I felt incredibly insecure and wasn't sorry to get off!
I bought a used Libra (leather) Trec on E-bay. Slightly better in that it has a nice knee-roll and I'm happy to canter in it, BUT still not really supportive the way I'd like. Its a lovely saddle, but It'll be going on e-bay shortly!
I did some research, looked at pictures, and have now got a Freemax Evo (synthetic). At last! COMFORT
A really nice, comfy, supportive saddle. I've ridden in it for two hours and just felt like I'd been sitting on the settee, could have done it all again!! Its got a much narrower twist than other treeless saddles and I'm thinking of getting a leather version if one should come up on E-bay!Ditto above advice re. padding: WHATEVER treeless saddle you decide to go for, you need to spend as much thought (and £££!!) on the saddle pad/shimming underneath as you do with the actual "saddle". Also ditto advice re. getting a trained eye/saddle fitter to look as you can do an awful lot of damage with a treeless saddle.
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