Freeform Treeless Saddle Giveaway - Winner

The benefits of a Freeform saddle: Beautifully made and finished, adaptable to almost any horse’s back, comfortable for the rider.

Challenges encountered with saddles: tree selection can be a nightmare, too-long for the horse’s back, difficulty in matching the comfort/ease to both horse and rider.

Why Freeform: It would be the only treeless saddle I am willing to try. My doubts about other treeless include: not enough spine clearance, too wide for my comfort, slippage when mounting/dismounting, or during riding maneuvers.

Thanks, for the fun contest, and thereby reminding us of what a good saddle does for horse and rider.

1. Why are Freeform treeless saddles beneficial for horses and riders?

I am excited about owning a Freeform saddle one day because consideration of fit has been given to both the horse AND the rider. Most saddles I have ridden in impeded the movement of my gaited horse’s shoulder. I had the opportunity to ride my Izzy in a friend’s Freeform, and it felt amazing! I felt secure, my hips didn’t hurt, and my horse was moving as if she didn’t have me on her back. She was happy and so was I!

2. What challenges have you and your horse had with saddles and saddle fit?

My Tennessee Walking Horse, Izzy, is the goofiest horse, both with her personality and her wonky body. I love her so much, and she is my girl for life, but she is not winning any beauty contests. She has a short back and is kind of like straddling a slick lipstick tube. I once had a saddle slide right off of her, and I broke three ribs! When I rode in the freeform, I did not get that insecure, rolling feeling. The Freeform fit her well, and we both felt confident in our ride.

3. How will a Freeform saddle specifically help you and your horse?

Izzy’s body shape changes with the seasons and with the amount of exercise she is getting. I love that the Freeform will serve her comfortably as both her skinny jeans and her fat pants. We love to trail ride around our farm and trailer out to different locations with friends. I have been eyeballing the Freeform website usually once a month and daydreaming about my trail “dream saddle.” I have hip and knee issues, and I am a little bit…. er…… over the hill in age, shall we say. I love how the saddle is designed with rider comfort and stability in mind. Winning this saddle would be a dream come true for both Izzy and me.

The spine. So much information is shared and communicated via the spine. Not only physical information via the transfer of the nervous systems, but emotional information as well. Each vertebrae has a specific emotion and organ link connected to it. Treeless saddles help to support the flow of energy along the spine for horses and riders. Traditional saddles with trees hinder and muddle the flow of energy and communication for horse, rider and the mutual connection of togetherness.

When we look at ancient spiritual practices such as Kundalini it is believed that our Chi, life force energy, is rooted in the base of our spine. When we connect with a horse on their back, we are seated along their solar plexus chakra, their sense of self and power. How beautiful is it to be aware of that bond and relationship. We as the human allow our life force to be received and held with the horse in their power. A treeless saddle can support this deep energetic and spiritual connection. Where the life force of the human supports and if allowed even fuels the personal power of the horse, and vice versa. This connection can create a beautiful synergy between horse and human. A treeless saddle provides the physical comfort needed for both members of the relationship to access the deeper energetic potential of riding and connection.

Riding in a traditional saddle for me has always felt disconnected. I currently am not a proficient or consistent rider, although my horses are asking to make more time and devotion to the ritual of riding. As we navigate the many options of saddles and tack we have definitely felt called to bareback pads and treeless saddles. Wanting to honor the connection we have on the ground to transfer into the saddle. I recently had the pleasure of riding in a treeless saddle and finally was inspired by the connection I felt with the horse. A bit of an “mmmm” luxurious moment, finally uninhibited by a large, bulky western saddle the horse and I could communicate much more effectively. As I mentioned, I’m deepening my consistent riding, and having access to a treeless saddle makes me more inspired and excited to ride frequently.

Working with tack that feels good makes the riding so much more fun. I’d rather have a sharp pencil to write with than a dull one. Yes, I can write with a dull pencil, but it’s not as enjoyable as a sharp pencil. Same goes for saddle fit. My energy I bring to riding and every interaction I have with my horses has potential to influence them. If I go to ride and I’m annoyed and struggling in a traditional saddle, my horses may be annoyed as well. There will definitely be an emotional miscommunication either way, and I would rather avoid that by having a treeless saddle both of us can enjoy and have emotional accountability and co-regulation for the experience we have while riding. My horses and I have quite the fantasy outlook on life… desiring to see the ritual, magic and beauty in all we experience, and while we would like to ride bareback all the time, that isn’t always feasible. To have a treeless saddle that supports our relationship on all levels would be an immense benefit and joy to our lives.

Thank you for this amazing opportunity to win a saddle. Best of luck to everyone! Much love and a beautiful day to all ya’ll.

Freeform treeless saddles, with no tree, doesn’t have that hard and rigid tree that can dig into a horse’s back or even pinch the shoulders. I’ve learned that using a treed saddle was hurting my mare. As for the rider it’s super lightweight (for those of us getting older that’s important) and really comfortable.

As for our story. I have a paso mare that I rescued from serious neglect and exhibits signs of someone beating her in her past. While I’ve worked out all her issues on the ground as soon as you sit up in the saddle she becomes overly sensitive and will bolt. Now she is super short backed (25 inches) and wide. I’ve gone through three different saddles and found the one that fits her best and doesn’t cause her any discomfort is a torsion treeless saddle. Unfortunately it really doesn’t have much of a seat and has no horn. I fell off her about a year ago and cracked a rib so feeling secure in my seat is definitely something I need. This brings me to my second issue. I am disabled with PTSD and other issues so affording saddles has been a nightmare. And trying to buy used I’ve ran into so many scammers I’m in tears. She’s had a lot of trauma in her past (like me) and I don’t want to ever hurt her like my treed western saddle has. In fact I think I actually bought it from you but she was in different shape back then and now she’s filling out in the right places. She and I are slowly healing each other and I want what’s best for her and safest for me.

Why are Freeform treeless saddles beneficial for horses and riders?
They take pressure off the back and move with the horse naturally and the Y shaped rigging helps to girth fit ergonomically taking weight off the shoulders.

What challenges have you and your horse had with saddles and saddle fit?
Mutton withers. Wide, old, horse with wide low withers. It’s been hard to find a western or trail saddle that fits his short back with how wide he is. As well as a very high withered thoroughbred who also has a short back and have been unable to find the same type of saddle for her.

How will a Freeform saddle specifically help you and your horse?
It will help me and my horse by allowing him to move comfortably without worrying about pressure build up in one spot which is very important especially in his older age

Why are Freeform treeless saddles beneficial for horses and riders? I am very new to riding in a treeless saddle but have wanted to try one for some time. I was able to try a friend’s Freeform last summer and loved it. they are lightweight, allow natural movement for the horse, and very supportive for the rider. I also love that you can adjust where the stirrup leathers hang.

What challenges have you and your horse had with saddles and saddle fit? I grew up evening on difficult to fit TB. Now as a middle age rider I have a curly that I bought out of a killpen. He has overcome many obstacles from ski’s for feet, to being sick with strangles. I started him under saddle 8 years ago, and my saddle that has always fit every horse always slides back on him. He has a different gait which might contribute to that. I have tried anatomical girths, breast collars, etc. Nothing would work. I now have tried a Freeform with a skito pad, and it didn’t move on a trail ride! it was amazing! it had to have felt so much better for him, which makes me so happy. The only complaint I have is on trail rides and for working equitation I would like a bit more of a padded seat for myself.
How will a Freeform saddle specifically help you and your horse? a new Freeform saddle would be an amazing gift to both of us. He would get to be comfortable on trail rides, dressage, and working equitation. He would finally get to move freely in his standard walk, trot, canter, and a bit of a gaited movement. I would get to have a saddle that doesn’t throw my back out trying to get in on the saddle rack in the rear tack, and have a nice comfortable seat for myself that I also feel secure galloping down the trails in.

Why are Freeform treeless saddles beneficial for horses and riders?

Freeform saddles are flexible and adjustable to every horse and rider. The soft structure allows the horse unrestricted freedom of movement. The adjustability of the saddle allows the rider to use the saddle on more than one horse as well as changing the options of the saddle to taylor to your performance needs.

What challenges have you and your horse had with saddles and saddle fit?

Honestly, I have not had many challenges with saddle fit for the past 15 years because I have been riding in a Freeform saddle. All three of my horses are shaped very differently; one with high withers, one with a short back and another with the round rib cage. Combining a Freeform saddle with a good saddle pad is the best saddle fitting I can think of for any horse

How will a Freeform saddle specifically help you and your horse?

The Freeform ultimate trail saddle will specifically help me, and my horse conquer more trails together. I would love to experience trail riding in a saddle, specifically designed for it

Why are Freeform saddles beneficial for horse and rider?

Freeform saddles offer versatility, allowing you to use the same saddle on multiple horses without worrying about the fit. At the same time it still provides support and structure allowing for a comfortable and secure ride. I’ve noticed that the Freeform saddle gives the horse the ability to move with less restriction allowing for increased performance and overall happy partners. It’s also incredibly light which is a bonus for both horse and rider!

What challenges have you and your horse had with saddle fit?

I have a short backed rather wide mare that has decent withers but still low profile. She’s the sweetest mare but intolerant of pain. When she’s ridden pain free, she’s a gem, if anything is bothering her she behaves horribly and understandably so. I have struggled with on and off lameness with her and a lot has to do with saddles not working for her. I’ve been riding bareback currently and she’s been happy with that. The Freeform has made a huge difference when I borrowed a friends, she moved beautifully. I would love to have my own for her so we may continue enjoying trails together!

How will a Freeform saddle specifically help you and your horse?

I’ve been riding bareback as I had to return my friends borrowed Freeform. My mare has a foal and I’ve been ponying her on the trail with her mama but doing that bareback has its challenges. I’d love to have that feeling again of moving down the trail at a lovely trot on a happy horse with her baby alongside. She’s such an amazing horse and I miss our rides together!

1. I have a fellow trail rider who has ridden many endurance miles. She recommended the Free Form Treeless saddle for me and my TWH mare, Dolly. My sister and I rescued her from kill pen. Sister passed away in August. I believe this amazing mare deserves the very best and this saddle is it. The comfort for her and the weight of this saddle would be extremely beneficially to her and me.
2. Challenges… Dolly and I enjoy some very challenging trails. Finding a saddle that gives her the freedom to move that she needs and the comfort I need as an older rider has been difficult. All riders have challenges, however, long miles in the saddle for older rider woman riders has its own set of challenges. Dolly and i love hitting the trails.
3. The Freeform Saddle will help Dolly and i enjoy the trails well into my upcoming retirement, keeping up both comfy and happy. Who knows with this amazing saddle I may by riding into my 90’s like Queen Elizabeth. Thank you, Lori

Freeform saddles are my go-to recommendation for saddles for clients. Whether they trail ride, compete in dressage, or complete endurance rides, they can provide a close contact feel that will aid in the communication between horse and rider. On top of that, it encourages riders to use the correct muscles and posture to support themselves instead of using a treed saddle to brace against the horses spine.

I was first introduced to treeless saddles when my mare was diagnosed with kissing spine. On top of that, she also has PSSM, and her muscling changed drastically after any lameness or time off from work. I tried adjustable treed saddles, but it was difficult to constantly re-fit her. Even then, she was cold backed. Once I switched to a treeless saddle, she finally found relief. With the help of the Freeform panels and saddle pad, she was given the spin clearance her kissing spine required, along with a softer feel that helped her when her PSSM would flair up. We are almost two years past her diagnosis, and she’s moving and feeling better than ever.

After seeing how well my Freeform worked on that mare, I’m slowly switching all of my horses to them. I run a small lesson program, and the health of my horses’ backs are always a top priority. It would be super helpful to me and my lesson horses to have saddles that fit them well, while also teaching students to balance independently instead of relying heavily on the tack. I love that Freeform’s offer the support for finding balance while still encouraging that stability. I’d love the opportunity to continue to share the love of treeless saddles with my students.