I found something worse to ride in than my saddle!

[dorsetladette]

I have ridden in a Heather moffat Pheonix and a Vogue. the Vogue was dreadful, mostly because the "fitter" set it up incorrectly with both panels and a pad underneath, I had never been so unhappy riding my little horse! however, a correctly set up Pheonix was very comfy for hacking and jumping 2ft 3" or less. I kept it for several years and did a fair few miles but discarded it in the end in favour of a treed saddle for the sake of the horse.

I have ridden for a friend in both. I found them horrid! the stirrup bars are to far forward the memory foam seems to move you to far back in the saddle.

 

[spotty_pony]

I used to have a mare on loan many years ago that had a torsion saddle. I never noticed any problems and found it quite comfortable but I was a teenager and I’m guessing if anything it helped improve my balance so can only be a positive!

 

[Tarragon]

I have an old Barefoot Cheyenne that I use for backing or those times when you don't have a saddle that fits. I do like the way it has a close contact and I can feel the movement of the pony. My main saddle is a strada, and I find it takes a while for my legs and hips to adapt if I am switching between them. I rode for miles in my Barefoot (did the Mary Towneley loop!) but only use it as a stop-gap now.

 

[Greylegs]

I had a go on one once when I was having saddle issues with my old boy (also loaned from a friend, who swears by it!). Looked nice enough and felt really comfortable when I first got on ...... and then we moved!!! Yikes ... it rolled like a ship in a storm at walk and trotting was a nightmare, even on my super comfortable old highland; I didn't attempt a canter. I've never felt less secure on a horse: I would prefer to ride bareback. Not for me, but I accept that some folks love them. Each to their own.

 

[maya2008]

This is us in the TreeFree.

It has a twist so doesn’t feel like it’s stretching your hips apart or that there’s tons of material between you and the horse. I really rate it.

View attachment 92756

Is that the Tor? It’s been on my wish list for a while if so, as I would really like a treeless I can jump in and that has knee rolls.

 

[Clodagh]

I rode in one once. It felt exactly like sitting on a sofa cushion on a horse, terrifying. And how could all that weight splatted across the spine be good for the horse?
I accept designs may well have improved since then. I’m very old fashioned and traditional. I regard a numnah with suspicion ?

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I have a Barefoot Nevada for bombing around the farm. Mim goes brilliantly in it and I find it easy to ride in. It’s a western shape though so it sits differently to a barefoot English saddle.

The comfiest saddle I own is a Nick Dolman monoflap dressage saddle. I feel very connected and yet it is cushioning and firm. It’s a lovely, lovely saddle. And it fits my funny-shaped llama beast.

 

[suestowford]

I quite like not having knee rolls.
But then I am old and grew up riding on saddles which were completely flat front to back and on the sides.

 

[Marigold4]

I quite like not having knee rolls.
But then I am old and grew up riding on saddles which were completely flat front to back and on the sides.

Me too. If it was good enough for Reine Klimke, it's good enough for me!