Fhoenix/Torsion/Barefoot- which one would you get???

[Trio]

I want to get a treeless saddle for my youngster as he's such an odd shape at the moment and i've had 2 english saddles and neither fit right imo, tried the korrector pad with one and a massive lambswool numnah but am not happy.

I think the treeless would be good for him in the short term but am stumped on whichh to get.

Does anyone have any opinions on either the

Torsion -i know someone has one and is very happy with it and it did fit my boy really nicely, very light and looks comfy but slight issue as to whether the stirrup bars would cause a pressure point.

Heather Moffet Fhoenix- heard very good things- any opinions as never actually seen one!

Barefoot- mixed feeling about these.

Any others that are any good out there?

Any help much appreciated- i'm giving my boy 4 weeks off and i need a new saddle for when he comes back to work. :D;)

[No_Angel]

what sort of back does he have?

I have had barefoots and a fhoenix, and looked at the Torsion, I don't like the Torsions, the Barefoots I probably would have another but I would have to be stuck for other options first, the Fhoenix didn't work for my boy but was fab on my ex racer and would probably have another for her if she wasn't retired.

I really like Startrekk saddles (I have 2 now and have had another) the dressage is a very english looking saddle great for high withered horses, the western is lovely (I have 2) and I used it on my ex racer as it gives so much wither clearance.

My current fav english saddle at the moment is the Sensation. Fits my boy really nicely, close to his back, gives twist, stirrups distribute weight well (3 different stirrup attaching options, and different placements options) and its very lightweight, flexible and nicely made.
I have the hybrid and it holds me in really well (when all others are nearly parting company I am still glued to the saddle)

[Gill]

My favourite is the SBS, Heathers original treeless. I've heard good things about the barefoot but no experience.

[Trio]

hi no-angel- thanks for the reply- vey helpful - havent heard of the sensation saddles but am googling it- are there no pressure points . i think the problem with the torsion is that the stirrup bars are fixed by webbing which creates the pressure. looking up startrekk ones too.

This is archie (last year)
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j265/skeats30/Archie/ArchieApril08029-1.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j265/skeats30/Archie/ArchieApril08009.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j265/skeats30/Archie/ArchieApril08013.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j265/skeats30/Archie/ArchieApril08005-2.jpg

he has a long back, high withers and prominent spine and is not easy to fit one to although the torsion did look fine on him.

[No_Angel]

With the sensation, the stirrups can be attached as a normal free swing english stirrup leather would be.

It can be attached in hard use position, which is attached under the seat on the ring, and then attached to the bottom of the flap, so the weight is between 2 areas.

It can also be attached in the endurance position, which is just from the bottom of the flap, which puts no pressure form the stirrups on the horses back.

The saddle has a butterfly piece, which is a flexible plastic piece in the saddle under the stirrup attachment under the seat to dispurse pressure points.

The stirrup attachment under the seta is on velcro so can be moved to the position you want.

The sensation coul dprobably be useable on your boy with the right pad/shims.

[molly34]

I have a Barefoot which is a lovely saddle and comfy for both of us, but I can't mount from the ground and it can slip a bit.

If I knew I could afford to keep it, I'd get a Fhoenix on trial tomorrow. I like the concept, the design, the stirrup position.... and people I know who have them all love them so I'd hope it would work for my girly too. (and I don't really know why, but I like the look of the Fhoenix and old SBS better than the Vogue). Maybe next year! :rolleyes:

I don't know about Torsions, but the advantage of both HM saddles and Barefoot are that you can have them on trial, so you've got nothing to lose. :)

[Trio]

Torsion do a trial as well but i want to try and trial the one i'm intending to buy if possible.
there really are far too many treeless saddles out there.

[lachlanandmarcu]

I think the best quality construction is the Treefree Dartmoor and Exmoor saddles, they are made in Britain and are beautifully robust and comfortable, they have a proper gullet and no strapping crossing the top of the saddle for stirrup strapping, they have proper stirrup bars not rings and both my 14.2 roly poly and 17 hand hunter were comfy in it from Day1.:)

[horseygirl123]

I used to have a torsion and i really liked it, the only problem was it had no knee rolls so went i went jumpys once on a hack i fell off !!!
I tried a HM phoenix but didnt like it, mainly because i felt too perched :rolleyes:

[MelanieD]

Something with a gullet is probably best with a prominent spine, I like the SBS but its not made anymore.

He doesn't look like a shape so odd he can't have a treed saddle, 2 not fitting doesn't really mean much there's loads of different shape ones. So if you're only getting treeless because you don't think you can get something treed to fit you might just need to look at more saddles to find something that is the right shape for him.

[newforest]

i used to had a barefoot for two years but sold it as it kept rising up at the back, thought due to bum high pony but still did when he levelled.

now have gp torsion and a libra. both ok for fast work, jumping whatever you want to do. neither have thigh or knee rolls, you don't miss them when get used to it.

[western-saddler]

Horses for courses...

What works for one does not work for another. With treeless it is a matter of trial and error - and pressure testing! I personally did not get on with the Torsion (sat me right at the back of the saddle). The Startrekk just did not fit my friends horse at all. The Dartmoor Treefree I have no experience of but sounds like it is constructed the same way as Heather Moffett's newer Fhoenix & Vogues. I sell quite a few Barefoot's and HM saddles. I ride in the Vogue and it is the most comfortable saddle I have EVER ridden in. But even they do not work for all :)

Try as many as you can :)

[Shadowlark]

Went through quite a slew of them myself, and fortunately got to play with several of them at a Trade fair locally.

I had a trekker Dressage master for my Thoroughbred, which I LOVED it was very traditional looking and well made. Put me in a great position and was a LUSH butter soft leather. However it didn't suit my quarab at all so it found a new home, and is still much loved!

I know a lot of people love them, but the barefoots did nothing for me. I tried the London and the Nevada. I HATE the little horse head they have on them, makes me think of a kids saddle - aside from that I didn't like the position the London put me in at all. I would be interestead in spending some one on one time with their new western saddle at some point.

Like the others, I found the Torsion put me in a weird spot and I wasn't keen on the construction of it especially with it right next to the others.

I ended up with a Sensation, I feel they have one of the best weight distribution set ups for the stirrup bars which seem to be where things tend to go wrong with treeless saddles. They are very well made (here in Canada) They are very secure and comfortable. I have the Hybrid but was torn as I loved the Dressage as well (maybe later)

play with as many as you can.. it really is the only way.

[Portia]

Hi, have ridden in both Torsion and Fhoenix, not Barefoot.

Both the T and F were comfortable on the mare: I found the T put me in an awkward forward-tilt position, consequently felt unbalanced on it.
The F was simply wonderful, mare very comfortable -she may be 14.2 but has the long extended paces of a 16 h - allowed her freedom to move plus I felt very secure and in a 'correct' position onboard.

[K.T]

My friend bought a Freeform - she loves it.