Freemax vs Libra treeless?

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

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A friend of a friend is selling both hers and I said I'd have one, I used to have a Torsion a few years ago and fancy returning to treeless with the youngster coming into work. Presumably both need the relevant pad, though I don't think she's used the correct pads with either which I thought was a bit odd?

Is one superior? I know they are both budget makes. I also have an older mare who's a pain to fit, and she's ridden in a dressage saddle due to her large shoulders. Is this likely to be a problem with either Freemax or Libra?

Eventually I'll be ordering the HM Flexee but for light duties I thought I may as well try one of these since they're going cheap.
 
I've ridden in both, never owned one though.

I hated the freemax - those knee and thigh blocks were really uncomfortable to the extent that I would end up bruised but that could be because I had fat legs!:o I also felt like I was in the wrong position all the time. Also didn't like the freeform FWIW.

The Libra was fine, really basic but did the job.

I liked the Torsion but found I had to work to avoid an 'armchair seat' style.

I started on treeless with a borrowed fitform but when it came to buying my own I couldn't afford one of them or a torsion so end up with trekker (one that looked like a fitform/torsion) and upgraded to a Trekker Pro Endurance a few years later...loved that saddle especially with a bucker pony :D
 
Why don't you try both and see which is better? I had a freemax on my wide shouldered boy he wore it once! The ridiculously high cantle pushed me forward and my knees were actually over the knee rolls. Libra however, ugly as hell but comfy as they come and much better contoured for his fat front end... Love them :)
 
You really need to try both of them. When we went treeless I tried a lot of saddles, borrowing them or ordering (and returning) them to/from manufacturers under their seven day trial policies.

After everything, I went for the Barefoot Cheyenne, and have never looked back.
 
Ps: i tried half a dozen before i reached the libra... They are flexible but they really dont all suit any horse and/or rider
 
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