Tanja und Symen

Dear Ms. Ullmann,

Last week I received my Barefoot Cherokee. Many thanks for developing such a great saddle!!!!
After a lengthy saddle odyssey I was getting pretty desperate. I feared that there would be no future for my riding, without a saddle. My Friesian really has a very unfortunate back shape and also much too wide shoulders. My last resort, I thought, was a custom made saddle. Sadly, that wouldn’t have done me much good either, because my horse always changes between summer and winter. In winter, for example, he has a 3 months break from riding, but from spring to fall we are active in the arena and on the trail. Sometimes there are enforced breaks because of my back problems or rotten weather. So there are always small changes possible, and even the best custom fitted saddle can’t smooth these out.

After dealing with this for a very long time, getting a treeless saddle appeared to be the best, and most horse-friendly, solution. I did extensive research on all treeless saddles, but the Barefoot was the most convincing! I have already regretted that I hadn’t bought a Barefoot sooner!
My final decision I owe to my favorite tack store, had Ms. Hermann not offered me to test-sit on the Cheyenne, I would have continued to doubt for sure, but the saddle was so awesome, super comfortable and soft.

I then ordered the Cherokee (it just looks so classy!), everything went fast and easy, I think I only waited four days after ordering. I bought the Physio pad with it: I don’t weigh very much, 5’6” and 120 lb, and I don’t ride all THAT much, but I thought it was better to put something non-slip onto my Friesian, since he’s pretty wide and round-backed. First I was a little skeptical, because my Friesian is round and doesn’t have any withers, I really had concerns if everything would hold. The first turns round in the arena I always lead, until the saddle sits firm, because my treed saddle did always slip or roll, so I got into that habit. The Barefoot slipped back a little during leading, I got a bit scared, but after I put it back to the front twice it stayed there, luckily! Once I felt that the saddle sat firm, I started to mount, without a mounting block, because I don’t have one on the trail either so I didn’t even try it with the block. And wow, the saddle didn’t move at all!!! I was completely happy! My little Friesian was a bit irritated at first, but after a short hesitation he started. He was noticeably more relaxed than usual and he walked really straight. That wasn’t always the case before, because my old saddle never lay completely straight.

I can’t confirm what some Barefoot riders wrote, that you need to get used to the feeling of the seat. With me, it was love at first sit, I have never sat on my horse so well!! I got a very balanced seat, so it didn’t feel weird, and I didn’t feel I was sitting very wide. I was absolutely thrilled after the ride. Because I ride in a typical dressage seat, I was worried at first that the Barefoot would put me into a chair seat, with legs too far forward. That is not the case, just the contrary! The stirrup attachment is also sturdy, first I thought the stirrup may wobble back and forth, but it doesn’t. The saddle is simply just great.

Unfortunately I could only try it in the arena until now. I’m looking forward to our trail riding outings already, now that I can enjoy them without feeling guilty, because finally I got a properly fitting saddle!! I was so lucky to have made this decision, if I would have gone with the 3000 Euro custom made saddle I’m sure I would have regretted it later. And of course I made my horse very happy. I ride bitless, with great success, since years, so now that I finally parted ways with the stiff treed saddle, my natural riding style is now complete!!

Best regards, and a big thank you
From Tanja and Symen