Winner Announcement
A big thank you to everyone who entered. We read through each and every one and were so touched by your stories and sharing. I wish I could give you all a saddle!
For the top 25 names that were in the bowl, look out for a very special email from us in April, that will include a special offer.
For everyone else that entered a huge thank you, we’ll contact you with a special thank you offer also.
Congratulations to our winner, Leah! We'll reach out to you this weekend so we can get you your new Ultimate Trail Saddle!
Whitney and I will be traveling in April to the Italy factory to work on saddles - I'm reachable by email, but it may take me a few days to get back to you.
Happy Trails!
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We're Giving Away A Freeform Ultimate Trail Saddle!
Will you be the lucky winner? The Freeform Ultimate Trail is our best selling and most comfortable saddle! Learn more about it and read rider reviews here.
How to Enter
Please review our website and answer the following questions by leaving a comment below - at the bottom of this blog post. Please answer in three short paragraphs:
- Why are Freeform treeless saddles beneficial for horses and riders?
- What challenges have you and your horse had with saddles and saddle fit?
- How will a Freeform saddle specifically help you and your horse?
Contest Rules
- Answer all three questions thoughtfully. We'll read all entries. The top contenders who express their love of Freeform and the benefits of our saddles will go into a hat for a drawing!!
- You must answer all three questions to be eligible.
- Scroll to the very bottom of this page to the Leave a Comment box and enter your reply.
- Comments left on Facebook do not count as entries.
- Open to U.S. Residents only.
- Contest closes March 29, 2024.
Winners Announcement & Notification
WHEN: Drawing and winner's announcement are March 30, 2024.
HOW: Winners are posted on this blog post and our Facebook page: Freeform Treeless Saddles.
Please check for our winner’s announcement. Instructions will be posted to claim your saddle. This is the only way to notify the winners.
Good luck and tell your friends!
Comments
Tammy Bradley
Freeform saddles offer a myriad of benefits for both horse and rider. Firstly, their lightweight design enhances the riding experience, providing comfort and ease of movement for the rider. Additionally, these saddles excel in accommodating hard-to-fit horses, thanks to their flexible and adaptable structure. This versatility ensures a proper fit, minimizing discomfort and potential injury for the horse. One of the standout features of freeform saddles is their unparalleled freedom of movement. Unlike traditional saddles that can restrict the horse’s natural motion, freeform saddles allow for unrestricted movement, promoting better balance, muscle development, and overall performance. Whether for leisurely rides or competitive pursuits, freeform saddles prioritize the well-being and comfort of both horse and rider, making them a top choice for discerning equestrians.
Fitting treed saddles to my horses has proven to be quite challenging. Their backs are constantly changing with age, exercise, and periods of rest, making it difficult to find a saddle that accommodates these fluctuations effectively. Despite my best efforts in selecting and adjusting saddles, I’ve encountered the frustrating issue of saddle fit damage, marked by the appearance of white hair on their backs. Even when I believe the saddle fits perfectly, this outcome persists, highlighting the complexity of achieving a suitable fit with traditional saddles. It’s a constant struggle to ensure my horses’ comfort and well-being, underscoring the need to explore alternative saddle options that better accommodate their dynamic needs.
The Freeform saddle has caught my eye for all the right reasons. Its remarkable ability to adapt to the changing contours of my horse’s back is something I’ve been searching for. Knowing that my horse’s comfort and well-being will be prioritized, regardless of their age or level of activity, brings me immense reassurance. On top of that, the lightweight design of the Freeform saddle promises a more enjoyable riding experience for me, allowing for greater freedom of movement and a closer connection with my horse. And let’s not forget about the security it provides – a feature I value greatly as a rider. With its supportive design, the Freeform saddle offers the perfect blend of comfort, functionality, and peace of mind. It’s safe to say I’d love to have one for myself and my horse.
March 19, 2024
Sherry Keller
I have had horses that are extremely hard to fit horses. Improper fitted saddles have caused issues. I have tried other treeless saddles, but none compare to the Freeform. The customization makes this saddle so amazing. It can fit any horse you own and is so comfortable. It gives the horse freedom of movement. This saddle is the most comfortable saddle I have ever used. There are many designs to choose from that suits your discipline. A Freeform saddle is the only saddle that properly fits my horse and my needs. I love this saddle and look forward to many years with Freeform Saddles.
March 19, 2024
Valery A. Saunders
I live in Canada so I don’t qualify (my heart actually hurts a little bit) but I am lucky enough to own a Freeform endurance saddle. I’ve got arthritis and love how light the saddle is. I could only afford a used saddle and had many to chose from but as soon as I settled into the seat of this saddle I knew I was home. Congratulations to the eventual winner; if you’ve never ridden in a Freeform you don’t know how lucky you are going to be. And your horse will be so very comfortable – it’s like wearing nothing. <3
March 19, 2024
Jessica Short
Our current saddle situation is about as fun as a wrestling match with a badger! I first learned about the Freeform saddles from the rescue group that I adopted Goose from.
Here’s why Freeform treeless saddles are beneficial for horses and riders. They conform to the horses back, unlike the traditional treed saddles. Allow for more movement and flexibility with the horse and rider. A closer connection and clearer communication between you both. Plus they are amazing for harder to fit horses and riders.
Goose is an extremely spry 21 yr old TWH/Rocky Mountain Pony cross. We have encountered all of the saddle fitting problems over the past few years. Goose is short backed, narrow withered, gaited, and very sensitive. He prefers treeless and doesn’t happily tolerate a traditional saddle. We’ve tried english and western saddles and either they don’t seem to fit or Goose hates them. Currently we are riding in a cheaper treeless, but having ongoing rolling and shifting issues. We’ve tried all of the recommended troubleshooting and haven’t been able to solve it. I’m very doubtful these issues would occur with a high quality Freeform saddle.
The Freeform Ultimate Trail saddle is our literal bucket list saddle. The “When we win the lottery” saddle. Free moving shoulders equal a happy Goose. He’s a short backed guy with big dreams. We dabble in low level dressage, I would be able to feel those dressage moves happening in real-time, making it easier to reward Goose and refine our training. An easily balanced seat would make all of our riding adventures smoother. We enjoy long trail rides and anything that helps us not be sore after 10+ miles is fantastic. I have psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia, a gel seat that kind on the joints is a dream come true. I’m even hoping to do a clinic with cows in this next year to see if that might be fun.
We are always on the lookout for new adventures and the Freeform Ultimate Trail saddle would help us be successful in our “Try anything once” attitude.
March 19, 2024
Jacquie Jurva
1. Freeform saddles allow optimal movement and harmony between horse and rider, ensuring that they both can perform at their best.
2. My gaited Rocky Mountain Horse faces challenges with traditional (tree) saddles due to his big shoulder action; they restrict his natural movement causing him to compensate and experience discomfort.
3. A Freeform saddle would unlock my horse’s full athletic potential by promoting comfort and unrestricted movement. It allows for close contact which is what I seek, but have not been able to find. I love the bareback feel and the Freeform saddle provides this with the added benefit of balanced security. A Freeform saddle would enhance the partnership between me and my horse in every ride!
March 19, 2024
Denise Wollweber
1. Why are Freeform treeless saddles beneficial for horses and riders? The well made Freeform treeless saddle is structured to support and distribute the weight of the rider similar to a treed saddle but allows freedom of movement for the horse making it a “win win” for both horse and rider. The horse benefits from the saddle being light weight and not putting pressure around the wither or shoulder area where a horse needs to be able to involve full range of motion in the shoulder to properly move. The rider benefits from how comfortable the seat is and how there is no strain put on the knee because the stirrups hang freely and are not stiff.
2. What challenges have you and your horse had with saddles and saddle fit? My horse is the poster child for hard to fit horses. She is a half arab that is short backed, flat backed, mutton withered and has big shoulder muscles and huge shoulder movement when trotting making fitting her with a saddle so difficult. Everything I have tried either has too much rock, is too narrow, or if wide enough usually is too long and digs into her loin or slides forward onto her neck.
3. How will a Freeform saddle specifically help you and your horse? My mare and I would greatly benefit from the Freeform treeless saddle because my goal is to use her as my endurance horse so I want to spend long hours in a comfortable saddle that does not restrict her big extended trot and does not cause her pain on our long rides together. The saddle would be the perfect start to our adventures together!
March 19, 2024
Jessica A Riley
Why are Freeform treeless saddles beneficial for horses and riders?
For the horse – They fit any horse that I have put it on! I take this off my narrow Arabian and ride my wide Foxtrotter the next day with no issues. Another big benefit is the option to move the girth rigging back to a place for horses that gall (my Foxtrotter appreciates this) They are flexible enough for the horses to move naturally yet sturdy enough to mount from the ground without the saddle moving significantly. As long as I have had correct padding and I was riding balanced, my horses have never gotten sore from this saddle on a ride.
For the Rider – I can not even begin to explain the comfort and durability I have completed ~ 1200 miles endurance miles along with ~700 LD miles in this saddle including a one day 100 mile. I bought mine used so there’s no telling how many miles it has and it’s still holding up well with only expected acceptable wearing showing. It is lightweight so it’s easy to get on and off during holds when I’m tired. It has plenty of sturdy well placed D Rings to attach all my goodies! I love fit there is just enough rise in the front and back to feel secure for all the climbs or shenanigans the horse may be up to for the day.
What challenges have you and your horse had with saddles and saddle fit?
I have had other treeless saddles that have had various issues that kept me from using in endurance such as folding up that caused soreness on their back, loose hardware in an adjustable pommel style that would cause back issues throughout the day as it would widen on its own. (and then it completely broke) and the dreaded galling issues as there were no good options to adjust rigging.
How will a Freeform saddle specifically help you and your horse?
I have been a trailrider/camping person for 20 years and have always been a huge fan of treeless saddles. Three years ago I finally started participating in endurance riding. My Husband and I both discovered these during our learning curve of what kind of saddle really works for the long distance rider and horse (hint it was not what we came with) and now we both ride Freeforms. I would love the opportunity to win a new one to continue my adventures and then I would be able to let our grandson use mine as he has shown interest but the saddle he is using wont work on all of our horses like this one does.
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March 19, 2024
Diana Scott
I have owned a Freeform trail saddle for a few years now. Having ridden horses since 1959 I can honestly say I have tried many different saddles in my lifetime. This is the only saddle that I will own and use since finding it. The saddle allows my horses to use their bodies in the way they need to. There is no pinching of nerves and muscles. Nothing to make them hollow their backs or guard their shoulders. . They move freely and fluently. The saddle adapts to each of the horses body types, eliminating the need for different saddles. It’s the most comfortable saddle for myself as well. It puts me in the correct position without even thinking about rider position. My relationship with my horses have improved . They don’t dread our excursions. I don’t worry that I am harming my dear friends. I don’t find pressure points after our rides. My 71 year old body is not in pain after a good trek.The horses have good top lines and posture. This saddle is worth every penny. The leather is soft and luxurious. The workmanship is beautiful to behold. Thank you so much for make ng our lives more comfortable!
March 19, 2024
Misty funk
Why are Freeform treeless saddles beneficial for horses and riders?
For horses it has to be more comfortable than a traditional rigid tree saddle,and for Morgan’s the constant shape changes is crazy so fitting would be better. for the humans, lighter ( great for people with arthritis and shoulder issues like myself) and more comfortable to ride in
What challenges have you and your horse had with saddles and saddle fit? I have a Morgan. She changes shapes like kids find mud puddles!
How will a Freeform saddle specifically help you and your horse? Oh gosh it would be so wonderful to have a saddle that fit my mare perfectly and a lightweight saddle that I could actually put on her!
March 19, 2024
Paula
I have had a pre-owned Freeform Enduro for about three years. What a relief after having treed saddles! My horse is comfortable and I am comfortable for our miles and hours of trailriding. I can tweak the saddle to suit me by changing the leathers/ fenders or their position on the saddle. I also can change the seat and type of stirrups. I can change the saddle pad/blanket to improve the saddle stability.
I have tried a custom saddle and changeable gullet saddles. I tend to keep my horses for many years and found the treed saddles do not keep up with their physical changes.
A new freeform saddle would make my Thoroughloosa look even better out on the trail!
March 19, 2024
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