Sanna and Ameen

I have already thought for a longer time of a treeless saddle. As the comments on treeless saddles are not all positive in some forums (presses the vertebra, selective pressure points…) I keep thinking sceptical. One day, a saddle maker was ordered to our stable and I asked her for her opinion on treeless saddles. She thought this to be a brilliant saddle for my Arabian full blood horse Ameen, because she’s changing a lot in body for the last time due to move, change in feed, illness. The saddle maker recommended the Barefoot saddles to me. I searched for Barefoot in the internet and landed on the Barefoot homepage. Through the forum, I got my Cheyenne and the pad quickly.

I already noticed the change in Ameen’s behaviour at the first belting. Ameen keeps totally cool and not bad mooded as ever before. First ride was very unusual for me, as my legs have been very waggling, especially while trotting. By now, my legs are positioned perfectly – no more flapping leg. Albeit my “nervous” legs, I felt from the beginning of my first ride in Barefoot what thrills so many Barefoot riders: you’re sitting more “in” the horse. You can’t not describe the feeling, you have to experience it yourself. Very comfortable, really “like on feathers”. Furthermore I feel that Ameen has much more fun under the Barefoot, she goes much more freer and relaxed. Half pirouettes in walk or shoulders in succeed easily and better. Ameens moves almost in a way, as if she has no saddle on.
Indeed, I feel more comfortable and save than without a saddle.

Besides, in former times I often had back pains after long rides outside, as the old saddle often slides to the right side. I feared that this could happen to me again in the Barefoot because it’s me who causes the slide. But nothing happened! The Barefoot stays at it’s place for hours. It doesn’t slide neither while riding nor while mounting. I do not suffer from back pains anymore.

After taking the pictures, Ameen sweated under the Barefoot evenly, only the spine remains dry. I could see, that the saddle positioned perfectly and produces no pressure on Ameen’ s back.

Lately, my friend and I, we swap horses, and consequently the saddles too. I felt like on a tray in the other saddle with the tree (which is a very expensive saddle, by the way) and became back pains after short time. My friend enjoyed her time in the Barefoot and felt quite comfortable, because the high cantle keep her grounded.

The Barefoot combined so many positive things, that I am not sure whether I will ever ride in another saddle again. I and obviously my horse too, are sooo happy in the Barefoot that we’ll never give it away.

Many thanks for this great saddle for such a gorgeous price!!!

Sanna K. and Ameen