Libra hackabout - ok for youngster while changing shape?

horsemad32

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Have found good reviews online, just wanted to see if anyone on here had tried it. I'm looking at this for a youngster who's growing like a weed and likely to change significantly in the next year. It would be for hacking and schooling, no jumping.
 

kaiserchief

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I've got a Libra Trec treeless and I backed my youngster in it in Autumn 2012. I then rode most days in it through 2013 including a 12 mile fun ride and jumping (both in the arena and out hacking). I'm just now starting to look for a new saddle as although it's coped well and Kai's back is fabulous, I want something more supportive for both of us as I want to do a lot more jumping and fast rides this year.
 

DanceswithCows

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I have one and think it's ideal for this purpose - I treat mine as a glorified saddle pad, NO stirrups, I really can't see that stirrups are a good idea with these. But they are comfy and for short periods and light, flat work, fine.
 

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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I've got a Libra Trec - leather treeless one, which apparently they don't make anymore. Bought it on e-bay.

Its a lovely saddle; the seat area feels very stable and secure, BUT I don't like the fact that it feels very wide, uncomfortably so on my traddie-cob, who's wide to start with.

Also........ just a personal thing but I need my knee-rolls and on this saddle they're not much of a feature.

Personally I would hesitate to ride a youngster in this saddle.

Conversely, I've also got a Freemax Evo (treeless); and feel TOTALLY secure on that one as it has knee rolls and a more padded seat to it. I went for a two hour hack the other day; and when I came back home I felt like I'd been sitting in an armchair for the duration, could have done it all over again :) A lovely little saddle and if going the treeless route, one I'd recommend. Also it has a much narrower twist to it than most treeless saddles, which have this STOOPID leather bit right between your seat where you don't need it!!!! Which makes it unnecessarily wider :(

PS (oops, will probably get a slap on the wrist from admin here) - but meant to say that I'm selling my Libra Trec. So feel free to PM me if interested.
 

Funkyfilly024

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Hello, me here from the referenced thread!
Horse has now moved on, in the year I rode him in it his seemed a lot more happy and free moving.
I have kept the saddle, love it so much! Ditto harder to jump in it and more difficult at a gallop but that's also about your balance improving to do those, which it will do.
They are so beautifully light and comfy I could imagine that they would be good to introduce a saddle but honestly, despite loving it I wouldn't start a youngster in one as if you don't ride in a treeless usually your balance may not be great at first and I wouldn't confuse a youngster by having my balance all over the place.
 
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