what is a 'barefoot saddle?'

treeless saddle - must be used with correct pad underneath - no knee roll - lightweight - similar to riding bareback.

I had one - ok for pottering about in but wouldn't want to jump/hunt etc in one - now have a jumping saddle which has saved me many a time !
 
Mithras said:
Sounds like a niche marketed brand, designed to appeal to a very particular type of customer.
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Much like most saddles? 90% sure the saddle my sister needs is not the saddle I would want, and ultimately not the saddle that a lot would want... And she's a fairly typical eventer.
 
You don't have to have a barefoot horse to use a Barefoot saddle. ;)

They are, as stated above, a reputable treeless brand of saddles who do a wide range of designs including western, iberian, dressage and GP designs. Some do have knee rolls.

I have one of their western saddles and I'm very pleased with it. If I was wanting to buy a treeless/leather treed jumping saddle, I would rather have a Solution, but they are much more pricey. I'm sure that Heather Moffet recommends Barefoot saddles for those that can't afford her saddles (IIRC she doesn't make her synthetic Flexee anymore).
 
Mithras said:
Sounds like a niche marketed brand, designed to appeal to a very particular type of customer.
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Auslander said:
The sort that smell faintly of Patchouli?
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Wow generalisations much!

I use treeless saddles and have done for quite a few years now, I am not a 'particular type' of customer nor do I smell of Patchouli.

I changed to treeless because I couldn't find a treed saddle that correctly fitted my horse - the only way I was going to ever get one to fit was to have one custom made. Before I went down the route of spending well over £1k on a saddle I did some research on treeless and got myself a Barefoot Cheyenne as it was a reputable brand.

Horse loved it and went well in it, we've done fun rides, sponsored rides and many many hours of hacking. Last year I decided that I really could do with a little more support for my knees so ordered myself the Barefoot Barrydale - this does have knee rolls and a deep 'dressage' seat - again I love it but more importantly so does my horse (and her back!) The added bonus is that both of my barefoot saddles also fit 2 of my other horses.

I don't compete but I have popped occasional jumps when out and about - OK I wouldn't recommend them for going doing SJ or eventing in but as an everyday saddle I rate them very highly.
 
I got a Barefoot Cheyenne saddle about 4 months ago after having no end of problems with saddle fitters and treed saddles. After being involved in a car crash a year ago, my saddle was also giving me really bad back ache and it was becoming increasingly difficult to go out for hacks for longer than an hour before I was in agony.

Horse was broken in with a cheapy treeless so I knew he went well in them, but he goes so much better in the Barefoot.

He has muscled up loads across his back in the 4 months, and I no longer get back ache too!

It's ok for popping over small jumps, but I definitely wouldn't go out competing in it. As other have said, the Solution Saddles look a good alternative for those who compete.
 
Well I don't know about the patchouli :rolleyes: but I LOVE my Barefoot Cherokee. Bought it as a temporary measure to bring a table top part-bred arab back into work a few years ago, was getting pretty desperate trying to find a treed saddle that fitted her, and am still using it.
 
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