Barefoot London on a short back Pony

Dear Mrs Ullmann

I am writing to tell you how pleased I am with the Barefoot London saddle I purchased last year. I had been looking at treeless saddles for awhile but hesitated. I just wasn’t sure about the concept. Most of them looked too bulky and huge and some were quite expensive.

As time went on I just felt the saddle I was using wasn’t right, I had it checked and re-stuffed yet my pony didn’t seem comfortable. He has a short back and I think the saddle was too long for him. Then one day I went to the field and although I didn’t have my saddle with me I decided to ride anyway, so I used a thick saddle pad and elastic surcingle. After some time I found I could sit quite well to the movements. I decided to look into treeless saddles again; I looked at many makes and prices and over time the Barefoot London appeared. I liked the look of it. So I ordered it and the accessories and waited for it to arrive.

When the box came I tore it open with great excitement and took the saddle out. I was quite surprised, it was light and bendy. I couldn’t wait to try it out. I have to admit it took some time get it on my pony, I had to get used to the dressage girth and stirrup leathers; I had never used this arrangement before. When I first sat in it the sensation was very different. I felt more upright and was sitting more on my seat bones then before and my legs were more underneath me. But my first ride was good. I was surprised how secure I felt. Riding downhill was not a problem for us both. Sitting trot was easier too. When I took the saddle off my pony I noticed how the sweat marks showed the shape left by the saddle pad and saddle. I could see the saddle didn’t press on his spine at all. What I really found to be interesting is I do not suffer from lower back pain and a stiff back after using this Barefoot. I have suffered from back issues since I was 18 and I have had to give up riding for a few years because of my problem. Even if I don’t ride for a few weeks because of a holiday I am not stiff and in pain after my first ride.

By the time I had used it a few times more I was converted and I really do not know why I was so sceptical in the first place.

Now I ride my pony with a treeless saddle, a bitless bridle and he is not shod – we are free and liberated at last.

Kind regards
Krystyna R.