Hi guys, ive been looking at this make of saddle, does anyone have any opinions? Positive or negative??
How do they're western saddles rate with traditional western? I understand they are treeless but they have english girth straps which is a bonus for me.
many thanks for any pointers,
fiona

Hiya,

Heather Moffett pressure tested them with the Pliance system (cost ?20,000 for one months trial :o ). The Barefoot saddle tested really well, but like with any saddle it is also dependant upon rider seat. If you sit really heavily at the back of the saddle all the saddles tested came off much worse (treed saddles included) than if the rider had a good seat. If you are over 15 stone they do not distribute the weight very well and a treed saddle is better. From the horses' point of view, the majority really like them. It is important to get the ride pad for your horse too as this is all part of the fit. Did you see them on Ebay?

Maria

Hi maria, thanks for your post. No I saw them originally on Enlightened equitation, then looked on harmony Horses and The better saddle company, Ive been reading reviews etc ever since! I liked the thought of being able to try one, 'better saddle company' offer a trial service for ?45 for 3 days. Ive been a bit stumped in the saddle dept so am looking out for new ideas. i bought my mare 3 months ago and she obviously had a very poorly fitting saddle, i got a fitter out and bought a brand new black country saddle but i just cant get on with it,its on ebay right now. I would love to ride western but there doesnt seem to be anyone locally to fit saddles etc. I bought a western synthetic off ebay to try it and am a bit fazed by the girthing system, my mare is really wide so it tends to roll and im worried its the wrong size for her. Its such a different way of riding too and the stirrups sit really awkwardly, you almost have to be double jointed to get your feet in, as they are synthetic it seems soaking them wont work. i wondered if the barefoot saddles, particlulary the Cherokee might be a good compromise between english and western as they come with english girthing straps. I know you have to buy a grandeur pad to go underneath but all that comes with the trial saddle to start with. I read you are starting a fitting service, bet you wont venture this far up the m1 will you, Im in Northampton??
Best of luck with it anyway, it seems western fitters are few and far between,
fiona ;D

Hi,
I have just PM'd you with my contact details

I have got a barefoot Arizona with western cinch and use a western pad.  It is very comfortable and both myself and Husband use it.  I had to get fenders from a different saddle as my legs were too short!  I found Horse and Harmony very helpful.  My other saddle is a Circle Y part synthetic which I love for training.

Hi
I ride my Criollo in a Barefoot. What i like about it is its so light to pick up and haul around, and the girth is easy english dressage, i have the traditional style (no horn) but with fenders, my horse is quite wide - sometimes my hips hurt after many hours in the saddle, and because you have to do the girth up tight it an cause pressure points on the horse, which i now seem to have iliminated by using a wool girth sleeve.

Katie