Freeform vs Barefoot?

[dawnh]

Looking for opinions please! Was looking at the london since might want to show Bella someday and that way will be ok no matter waht. But found a deal on a freeform and not finding much on the differences in the searches I have been trying. First and foremost is comfort for Bella of course, then me (remember my hip likes to bug me but I have been working on limbering it up with my yoga booty stuff which is pretty light workouts to start and will move up to something a bit more intense as I get more fit again).

[ride4fun]

I believe the freeform has the pieces that velcro together? So you can adjust the stirrup hanger placement a bit and so on. Could be a really nice feature. *I* am really good at getting things a bit off center and of course looking at new saddles the freeform is more $ so I went with the barefoot, but for someone with good eyes and coordination that adjustability could really be a nice bonus.

[DreamQuest]

I own a London and have sat in a Freeform. From what I understand, the Freeform is a more structured saddle, and it might be better for heavier weight riders. (I don't know what you weigh, just tossing it out there.) The Freeform also has a more structured seat and more of a twist, so if you're having hip trouble, that might be good. It does have the adustable stirrup placement, which I liked a lot.

The Freeform did not really meet all my needs. I wanted something super cushy, and the London was just it for me. My main problem is seatbone pain, so I wanted a pillow. The Freeform is soft, but the London was better for me.

[Char]

Well since you asked ;D I have ridden hundreds and hundreds of miles in my Freeform. I've got five, 100 mile race finishes in it, and a few top 10's. I also have a Sommer which is a tree saddle but with flex panels. I haul a good rider with me, a young male who rides in the Barefoot. His horse came up horribly sore after a ride, he switched pads, and messed with saddle fit for MONTHS. He finally gave his horse something like 6 months rest, came back and borrowed my FreeForm, he's never had a sore back since. He bought his own Freeform and sold his barefoot.

I think it depends on a few things. The type of riding your doing is important and it seems for longer distances the freeform puts the horses back at more comfort. However the reason I got my freeform is because they aren't the most steady saddle. This poor girl couldn't stay in it to save her life. Also one thing to think of is the Free Form has a higher cut to clear the withers, its reinforces so it won't collapse over the withers which is great, BUT that bump can hit you in the um, er... front of your "private" area. It hasn't happened to me, but there are many out there that complain about this.

I love the fact that you can change the stirrups and think this is one of the selling features of this saddle. The seat Velcros on and off, its great. I have moved my stirrups up or back with out ever getting off the horse during a ride. That helps a TON with my own pain control as well as the horses back. My mom also rides in my saddle and all we do is un Velcro my seat (small) and put moms seat on the saddle which is larger. Two people can use the same saddle.

The con of this saddle is you have to get a custom made sheepskin cover for the saddle if you want one. A normal cover doesn't fit the rear of the saddle. FreeForm sells this cover.

I love the narrow twist on the saddle and find that it HELPS my back. I rode in my friends barefoot and found my lower back screaming. My thoughts are that the barefoot isn't as stiff as the freeform, its more "pillowy" and you feel the back move a lot. On a big strided horse that really gets under themselves it causes a lot of movement in your lower back, this about killed me.

Out here, in Calif on the endurance scene you can ALWAYS sell a used FreeForm, the Barefoot sell but not near as quick.

I trained a very nice stallion last year for Chris Martin, he sells FreeForms and if you visit his site I think you can demo one of his saddles. If you can't find the web page or you need his number call me.

I don't want to bash the barefoot, there are many on here that ride in them. For me, personally I didn't like the barefoot because 1. It didn't protect the horses back as much as "I" wanted
2. It hurt my back horribly
3. As far as I know you can't adjust the stirrups back and forth. Up and down yes, but not the other way
4. Resale value seems to be lower
5. The seat is permanent on the saddle. If the seat became ruined for any reason you'd have to fix the seat or replace the whole saddle

The Cons of the FreeForm are
1. People have complained about the bump in the front of the saddle
2. They are a bit unstable (I didn't find this) I use a Equipedic pads, skitto (I had mine custom made to fit the FreeForm) and the Haf pad, all pads were stable at least to me
3. The off the shelf sheepskins don't fit

Let us know what you decide and if you want to get a hold of Chris get in touch with me.
Here is a photo of my saddle, I take everything but the kitchen sink with me on a race. This was a 70 mile race and I was about 50 miles into it.
Char

[dawnh]

Thanks guys, I am not a big person, 5'6", 145-55 lbs depending on the time of year at the heavy side right now, sigh... size 8-10 jeans if that helps. And just trail ride not hard but we do put in some 20 mile days. Also would like to consider showing someday which is what I liked about the London, same saddle could show in as just ride in. Saddle is for Bella the draft cross in my avatar (but that is a pick of her as a 2 yr old she has grown and broadened since)

Char thanks so much for all the info now my question is what you meant by this
"However the reason I got my freeform is because they aren't the most steady saddle. This poor girl couldn't stay in it to save her life. "

Did you mean the freeform isn't as steady or? I like security, LOL. I am told I am an excellent rider and have hung in there with the best of em when I have had to, don't like having to anymore! I did break bones in my lower back in a riding accident right after I graduated (didn't hang in there when I should have I guess) so don't always feel as secure as I should. The saddle I am looking at is used comes with a cover and all that already but too far away to borrow to ride in.

[DreamQuest]

Just wanted to clarify the seat on the Barefoot saddles. It's not the same design as the Freeform, but the seat does come off and can be replaced if damaged.

Also, the new model Barefoots have more structure than the older ones. They feature a new panel design.

Of course, I'm not an endurance rider, so I don't have to be quite as ticky about that. I'm just a piddler, really. LOL

[dawnh]

Yeah DQ that's me a "piddler" Perfect term I want to piddle at showing and keep up my trail riding!! LOL

[Marci]

I've seen and sat on both at an expo. The freeform won hands down. It did have a twist so doesn't feel like its gonna rip you in two on long rides. I liked how the stirrups velcroed on-it could be a lifesaver down the road since saddle sideways hung up by a stirrup they would let go. It looked more like an english saddle. And you don't have huge cantles holding you in fore and aft.

I can see why it wouldn't be as steady, it doesn't have the fork over the withers. The fork for it is in the seat and it bends to fit the horse.
Plus you can get different seat sizes to fit many different riders.
To me the Freeform is better.
Its kinds like comparing how my homemade treeless (I used a fork form an old natural ride) rides and how the LJ rides. The LJ is a bit more unsteady (yeah right just try to straighten it once up) than my treeless just because of the fact it has the fork holding it in place. But that fork can be a two edged knife too since it can be too wide or not wide enough for each horse. But since its removable you can adjust it. With the Freeform you bend the front to fit the horse.
The seat is interesting how its made, its like the bottom of your tennis shoes, its formed as a saddle seat instead of layers to build up to the right shape. At least that is how I understood it, I haven't taken one apart to really see.
I love the way the Sensation looks but I have heard its not great for high withered horses.
I personally would go for the Freeform and be quick they don't last long for sale.

[Marci]

Oh and make sure its a REAL Freeform. Not a knockoff. the knockoffs are a piece of crap.

[Deleted]

I'm just going to add in my .02.

I've never used a Freeform I have however used a Barefoot Cheyenne. Going treeless was a HUGE ordeal for me. I'm a traditionalist. Treed Saddle, (choose whatever style needed) bit, bridle..all fitted, leather and matching and I like a little chrome too ;D

All that said...

Now I use a treeless....and all those things didn't work for the horse I have now. The barefoot fits her well. She is light and forward. She has uneven issues from right to left...that is coupled by over compensating in other areas and finally she lost any desire or ability to use her abdominal muscles.

I am a person who has chronic (MINOR, most days) lower back pain. But I also have middle back pain because of an injury. Oh, OK, let's not go into pain LOL

Anyway, The Cheyenne is steady, stable and comfortable for both Dottie and myself. we use a Skito pad under it. I couldn't be happier! She couldn't be happier, in fact she has never been this happy.

The FreeForm sounds LOVELY...I remember reading the leathers could be moved. Didn't remember about the seat moving though...now I do. So I'm betting it's a nice ride. I just wanted you to know the Barefoot offered us a new lease on life. I wasn't sure where I was going to go if this didn't work LOL Thank God it did.

I do think I'd like to try out the Freeform though...some day.

PS...now I'm a piddler....we have no show destination, or endurance race, or anything of the like. I just wanted a soft, clean, round and balanced horse...and now I have one. Well we're a lot closer

[MJ]

Doesn't Ben have a Freeform?

[DreamQuest]

Feb 18, 2009 14:48:09 GMT -5 dawnh said:

Yeah DQ that's me a "piddler" Perfect term I want to piddle at showing and keep up my trail riding!! LOL

hee hee! Piddler is my official title. ;D

[Marci]

No Ben has a Sensation MJ. I really do like the looks of the Sensation.

[dawnh]

My one worry is the freeform (it is the classic version) doesn't look as english'y (is that a word?) so may not be as good if/when get to showing.

[sheila]

I have only ridden in Barefoot saddles. I have been very happy in my two Barefoot saddles

I think Freeforms and Sensations are very good saddles though. For the money, Barefoot saddles are very good quality, so that is what I got. I cant remember, but I know FF and Sensations are a lot more money.

Most places have demo programs. I would assume like everything, each saddle sits different of each other, so it might be worth spending the time and little bit of money to trial the different brands or models.

I had tried the Barefoot London, and it didnt fit me great. I found it super slick. I got the Cheyenne instead and loved it. So, even in the Barefoot brand, there are MANY different feels of models. So, every brand has a wide choice in styles