Barefoot saddles

[pauline w]

Does anyone have any experience with them? Particularly the Nevada for a wide, low withered section D.

[newforest]

Only this model



It is the Barefoot Cheyenne with standard pommel insert fitted.

[pauline w]

Long story I haven't ridden for over 4 years due to LD which left me with some problems. I bought a balance saddle before I was ill, it slipped with loan rider so I bought a saddle company one. That too slipped badly with two riders, despite their reflocking system. I couldn't even begin to start riding again with it, I felt like a perched roly poly bag of potatoes so sold it last summer and lost lots of money. Beths new rider had her own Barefoot Drytex with a sympanova endurance haf pad, wide pommel insert. It didn't move. Jess doesn't ride Beth much any more now her young horse is in work. I've borrowed the saddle but with an extra wide pommel insert. I have been doing groundwork this week, parelli games and it moves to the right. I got on today first time in the saddle and second in over 4 years and was led around. I felt tipped forward, maybe the next size down pommel would sort this, but stable and so comfortable though I would need the next size up if I bought one. I've seen a couple of Nevadas for sale and am tempted. Any other treeless help appreciated.

[popularfurball]

The nice thing is that if you slip to the right you can shim more to the right

[popularfurball]

Ps. Nice to see you!

[newforest]

I have not heard of LD-please can you fill me in, pm if you like.

Can you try the saddle with the wide insert as that was what was being used by the rider on Jess before and it didn't move?

[popularfurball]

Sorry NF I had to giggle - I have a picture in my head of jess (human) with a saddle on!!! Beth is the (gorgeous) ponio!!!! Hehhe!!

[No_Angel]

I would say that if the saddle moved and tipped you forward with the x wide pommel in, but not with the wide pommel in, then the x wide pommel insert is too large.

I haven't tried the Nevada myself but used an Arizona on a wide Welsh Section D, I think I used the standard pommel and not the wide one (although it was a few years ago and they may have changed).

Barefoot do a pommel size chart on their website, it shoudl help you find the correct width for your horse.
http://www.barefoot-saddle.de/shop/o...g_template.pdf

[pauline w]

Nice to be back PFB and nice to see you too. Newforest, LD has been in the news a lot recently Legionnaires disease. I contracted it and was on life support which left me with memory, respiratory and balance issues. Isolated case, no history, but horrible, so sad for all those families in scotland Thanks No angel. I'll have a good mooch on the web tonight. x

[volcy]

There's one on ebay at the moment - of course that might be why you are asking!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barefoot-N...#ht_945wt_1270

[newforest]

Originally Posted by popularfurball

Sorry NF I had to giggle - I have a picture in my head of jess (human) with a saddle on!!! Beth is the (gorgeous) ponio!!!! Hehhe!!

Can't you tell it is a Monday,

[newforest]

I currently use the Freeform-so far out all the saddles i have owned or tried. It is the most secure for me. My youngster put in a decent spin the other day and i stayed with her.
I also loved the Dartmoor Treefree. Torsion do make the Bora, but i think i would feel too self conscious in it. So far people just see me in a treeless and people that know me know i have" difficulties" If anything i feel treeless helps.
They also make the close contact which allow your leg to be that much closer, though the majority of saddles allow for this.

Great to see you back.

[chickflick1066]

Probably not the technical information you're after but Barefoot saddles are soooooo comfy to ride in

[sjp1]

Agree with No Angel. If you are tipped forward the XW is too wide. Go back to the wide.

This happened with my brief foray into Barefoot - I had the wide because Tobes was fat when I bought it, but soon slimmed down. The wide made me feel tipped forward and then caused him to have a swollen wither on one side because of it.

I got shot and went back to treed.

Friend with Sec D who has the widest back has the wide insert for hers, and they seem fine with it. Certainly a massive improvement on the awful Wintec she had previously, and mare happier.

[happyhacker101]

I've had three barefoot saddles over the years and the nevada was most def the best but it wasnt used on a no withered cob though so cant vouch for it not slipping

[pauline w]

Thanks for the great replies, very helpful. Yes Voicy, I've seen that one on ebay. Shall I have a bid on it? How much shall I go to? There's another on preloved which is a dark brown, I've asked questions about it but no reply so far. I've looked at the freeform and Torsion, they are gorgeous but so much money, I wouldn't mind spending it if I knew it would suit me and Beth but after buying a Balance and Saddle company which didn't work, I'm loath to spend on brand new that I'll lose a lot of money on. Lavinia Mitchell from balance refunded all my money apart from travelling but I lost £300 on the Saddle company one, it was hardly used. I remember years ago, we just used to bend a coat hanger over the withers, take it to the tack shop and guess None moved, rubbed or seemed to be uncomfy. Those were the days.

[newforest]

If you were nearer you could ridden in it. I have had people from forum do that before.

[pauline w]

Aaw, that's so nice of you NF I think I'm miles away in the midlands. I wish I had some company, I advertised free keep for someone who was around to ride in the daytime, that was hay, stable, whatever grazing to suit but I think everyone around here works all hours god sends or are too far away. I'm going to have a look at the barefoot harmony site to size up the inserts and maybe put a bid in for the Nevada on ebay. Have a look at Voicy's link above,I'd like to know what you think. x

[tazzy-anne]

This is what mom had Pauline & just could not get on with it. Theyre (treeless generally) not that secure feeling which is why I changed to treed... I really don't think treeless is where you need to be at the moment as you need / want stability & confidence more than anyone.
Sorry for the negative reply but I also don't want you wasting your money.
I still have my Torsion as its too good as a spare to get rid of but not using it. They're the 'better' version of barefoot.
Would you like to borrow it & see how you go before you commit???
Ask mom about her barefoot too
Sorry
But like I say you're more than welcome to try / use my torsion.
Mine will also fit you as Jess is rather, um, slim to say the least so her saddle is teeny! Mine will probably be too big but it's better to have it too big than too small.

[pauline w]

That's a lovely offer Tammy I might just take you up on it, I wouldn't keep it for long and will take great care of it. Did yor mom have the Drytex or Nevada? The ebay one finishes tomorrow (past midnight so today now) and I was going to leave a bid on it. Such a dilemma Do I risk it?