Freeform Treeless Classic Trail Saddle, 17″ (0284-7)

Description

This seat is stamped with a 17″, which is the equivalent of a 16.5″ English saddle.

About Freeform Saddles

Freeform provides superior quality in every aspect of treeless saddles: remarkable versatility for the serious rider, whether you ride endurance, trail, hunt seat or dressage, made in Italy by craftsmen in consultation with leading equestrians. Freeform saddles combine the qualities of a conventional saddle with the lightness and flexibility of being treeless. As a result of the Freeform foam injection molding process the saddle is suitable for horses with a wide variety of conformations. Its flexibility minimizes interference with the horse’s natural gaits and offers a comfortable, more balanced ride than a traditional saddle, while protecting the horse’s back. The Freeform saddle has two main parts: the saddle base and the detachable seat. Other features include an adjustable stirrup attachment, adjustable girthing and a wide choice of leathers and colors. The breathable foam core ensures the saddle’s light weight. See technical details and more information below. The flexibility of these saddles allows the horse complete unrestricted freedom of movement, encouraging movement as nature intended, while providing a close-contact feel for the rider. There is excellent weight distribution with all the Freeform saddles. This gives the horse and rider a comfortable, balanced riding experience. The incorporation of “flexi-front” technology, as detailed below, into the front of the seat aids in wither clearance and adjusts automatically with both the movement and shape of the horse. One saddle can fit all of your horses. Plus, as your horse’s back changes with age and conditioning, the saddle consistently maintains a good fit. These are saddles you will use for years to come on many different horses if you so choose, confident that the quality of materials and workmanship will last and last. The Freeform saddle has been used by most Tevis Cup winners since 2007. You too will be a winner in your horse’s eyes when you’re riding in a Freeform saddle. We recommend using Skito and Equipedic pads
with all our Freeform saddles.

Flexi-front

The Freeform’s detachable seat has a high tensile aluminum bar incorporated into the front of the seat to aid in wither clearance. This bar is very lightweight while providing high flexibility. It will automatically adjust to the movement and shape of your horse. Freeform acts as a totally tree-free saddle with flexibility throughout its entirety, but without collapsing in the pommel arch over time and use. When transferring your saddle from a very wide bodied horse to a narrow horse, just remove the detachable seat, gently squeeze the pommel arch together, and then re-affix the seat to your saddle base. The pommel will automatically adjust to the shape of the horse.

Adjustable Stirrup Attachment

 The stirrup attachment on the Freeform Saddles is completely adjustable. It is designed to allow custom stirrup positions, from jumping position to classical dressage seat. Having an adjustable stirrup attachment allows each individual rider to adjust their stirrup placement so they do not have to fight the forces of nature, allowing each rider to sit easily in the natural hip-shoulder-heel alignment.

The girth straps on all Freeform saddles (except Western models) are made from leather-faced coated nylon and are English style billets that accept an English dressage girth with two buckles.  New girthing option (above) comes standard for all Freeform Classic (all purpose) and Enduro/Trail saddles from Saddle Up. This girthing was designed by Paulita Neff and Amy Sumrall because they wanted their saddles to have options to fit many different horses. With the three D rings will able you to find the position for the girth that is right for your horse.

Detachable Seat and Seat Options

The seat of a Freeform saddle can be completely removed and is interchangeable with different sizes. This allows a horse to be ridden in one saddle with different riders of different sizes. For example an adult family member might purchase a 17″ Freeform saddle along with an extra 15″ seat for a son or daughter to use. Additionally, seats for one Freeform model can be interchanged with a seat from another model. Seat Sizes: 15 – 19 inches (half inch increments) (See Sizing and Fitting below.)

Sizing and Fitting

Sizing for the Rider Saddle fit for the rider is equally important as saddle fit for the horse. The primary consideration for the rider of a treeless saddle is the seat size. The Freeform Saddles are available in seat size 15” – 19” [English saddle seat sizing]. The following is a guide to help you choose the correct seat size of your new Freeform Saddle. How To Measure Yourself for your Freeform Saddle It is helpful to have someone assist you. Sit on a stool or chair so your thigh lies parallel to the ground. Use a tape measure to measure the length of your upper leg from the back edge of your buttock to the point of knee (see diagram below). From the chart below, check your measurement against those in the left column and match up to the seat sizes in the right column.

Sizing for the Horse As a Freeform Saddle has no tree and is flexible, the saddle shapes itself to each individual horse. However, the following are some guidelines: When placing a Freeform saddle on your horse place the saddle seat so that you will be sitting in the saddle seat in the same place you would be sitting if you were riding bareback. The area on the horse’s back equipped to carry the rider comfortably is between the 9th and the 13th thoracic vertebrae. With the Freeform saddle, the rider is placed right behind the withers, avoiding pressure beyond the 14th thoracic vertebrae and allowing full range of movement of the shoulder blades. The rider’s weight is carried without causing pain, discomfort and damage to the horse’s body. The rider weight is wrapped around the horse’s center of motion for best support of weight and freedom of movement.  Because there is no tree to impede the horse’s shoulder movement it does not matter if the saddle panels touch or lay over the horse’s shoulder. Wither clearance – is necessary but does not need to be the usual 2-3 fingers we have become used to. So long as you can slip a finger under the pommel, this is usually sufficient. High withered horses are the most difficult to fit and often require careful shimming/padding in the saddle pad to allow sufficient clearance. Additionally, cutback saddle design is available for high withered horses.