New Saddle Designs

This is the second time I've felt compelled to write about Saddle Up and the Freeform saddles. The first time was in 2006 when a freeform saddle completely changed a young mare I was training. That mare is still with me and is the best horse I have ever owned! This time I'm writing because I was afraid I was going to have to stop riding (or at least stop endurance riding) at 58 because I was struggling with hip pain. Paulita of Saddle Up has always helped me in the past with issues fitting my horses, but this was the first time I needed a fitting for me! She recognized I needed a narrower twist these days and put me in the ultimate trail saddle with a seat bolster and asked me to ride in is for a few weeks. Well, in that time, my horse and I completed 30 miles at the Old Dominion No Frills race and the next day I was feeling great! Then I did 25 miles at Biltmore. I felt so good after the race that the next day I rode another 10 with some new endurance riders in the intro. The more I ride, the better I feel. I thought I would never ride a 50 again but now it looks like I just have to get my butt in shape and I will be riding 50s before I know it!

Thank you Paulita, Saddle Up and Freeform for getting me "back in the saddle again."

I ride endurance and came to Paulita looking for a treeless saddle. I had long thought I wouldn't be a good match for treeless as I have some asymmetries from injuries and have caused issues for my horses backs in the past. Paulita was very helpful in answering questions along the way and guiding me towards what has worked for her clients. I love the adjustability of these saddles and how many ways you can "set them up". This is the only treeless I've ridden in that has been able to accommodate my hip and leg issues. Treeless is not a match for every horse and every rider, but when it works it's a very valuable tool in the tool box!

Paulita really hit it out of the park again with this saddle! She spent countless hours working with me to fit a very challenging horse — and she absolutely nailed it. The Freeform Extreme Ultimate Trail Saddle is super easy to adjust, incredibly comfortable, and beautifully crafted.

I’ve been riding in a Freeform Classic Trail saddle for 11 years, and it’s still going strong, so I had high expectations — and this new saddle exceeded every one of them. The quality, versatility, and customer support are second to none. If you’re looking for a saddle that truly puts the horse and rider first, this is it.

Paulita is a gem. She is so knowledgeable about what your horse needs and how to help you. I have three very hard to fit horses and for the first time I know I can ride them without worrying about them being uncomfortable. Her dedication to helping me and my horses is something that is priceless!

I absolutely love this saddle. The craftsmanship is unparalleled, as is the level of thought that went into the design.

At first the saddle does feel bulky, but in a short time the foam settles. After about a week it felt more close contact than my 25 year old freeform classic. I have no pain in my hips or back. It stays in place on steep rocky inclines and declines, for hard galloping and everything else I’ve been able to throw at it.

Most importantly my horse Sicario loves it. I can feel him rounding his back when he canters and he easily goes into a nice extended trot that was a battle in his treed saddle. I can’t get over the change going downhill! I honestly was scared going out to the trails from my barn on him last year in my treed saddle because it felt like we were essentially doing a controlled fall back down the 1000ft hill back to the barn. This improved with the 25 year old freeform classic a friend gifted me. With the new freeform ultimate trail he takes his time and going steadily with a loose rein. This is because with some modification to the pad we were able to take all the pressure off of his shoulder.

Paulina Neff is an absolute joy to work with. She even called me to help me readjust things during the trial period. Her recommendations were spot on and I am very grateful for her expertise! I know if there’s an issue in the future, she can steer me in the right direction!

I’m so happy to have found the perfect saddle for my horse as we embark on our endurance career together!

I'm new to the concept of treeless saddles and have been really impressed with the high quality of my new Freeform saddle. The leather is gorgeous, and the saddle overall is very well made. Most importantly, it's making my horse (and me!) very comfortable. I had some issues finding a saddle that would fit my new horse and decided to try treeless. I have ridden in traditional dressage saddles for 25 years but have had some issues with fit. I'm so glad I found this saddle as my horse has made it clear to me that he is much more comfortable.. The saddle is secure and comfortable for me as well. Paulita and Whitney have been extremely generous with their time, answering my many questions and helping me understand what my horse needs. I highly recommend this company!

I absolutely love the comfort and security of the freeform classic trail but more importantly, my horse is much happier and free moving. I adopted a Standardbred and was struggling with saddle fit for her. She has a big shoulder and long stride. I especially noticed when going down hill she would swing her haunches to the side and take short steps. Last fall when her winter coat grew in, large patches of white appeared behind her withers. I was horrified and felt so bad. I had spoken to riders at endurance rides and the Freeform saddle came highly recommended.
I reached out to Whitney and Paulita. They were quick to respond and so very helpful. I love the opportunity to trial a saddle and with their help found the right fit for us.
My horse is so relaxed, happy and forward now under saddle and has a beautiful power walk with confidence downhill. I could not be happier with this saddle. The ultra trail seat is super comfortable and secure
Thank you Whitney and Paulita for all your help and for being available whenever I may have a fitting question.

I have been having difficulty finding a saddle that does not interfere with my horse’s large shoulders. With the Ultimate Trail Saddle, I have found it!

Paulita put a lot of time into making sure we had the right seat and pad and accessories. It is very easy to adjust things like stirrup position, girth position, etc. The craftsmanship is top notch, very symmetrical, sturdy and well designed.

The seat is quite comfortable for me and allows for great contact. The pad does a fantastic job of distributing my weight and allowing my horse maximum mobility. Highly recommend!

The fact that this is my second Ultimate Trail saddle says it all. I have two horses and I purchased a second saddle so that both horses could be ridden at the same time should the occasion arise. The saddle is lightweight, streamlined, and comfortable for both me and my horses. I love being able to position the stirrups where they are most comfortable for me and there are multiple rigging options to accommodate different backs and body types. To top it off customer service is excellent.

I am getting so many questions about my Ultimate Trail saddle. Especially from folks in my FB horse groups. I keep posting your web link and name to the questions.
I truly do love my Freeform Ultimate Trail saddle. It is so incredibly safe and so comfortable for both Shadi and me. We tried at least half a dozen other saddles on this horse's back and nothing allowed him the freedom of movement that this saddle offers him. I was even able to lift it onto his back after only three months past-op on my torn rotator/dislocated biceps shoulder surgery. My Freeform saddle is now over ten years old and still looks like new. It's gone out for well over 500 rides and thousands of miles!! This saddle is truly "The Ultimate"!

I can’t imagine a better way to take the pain out of saddle fitting, nor a better way to make one into a better, more balanced rider. All of my students first learn to ride and then go on to compete in endurance with Freeforms, either on my horses or their own. We use different pads on different horses to support the saddle-though typically we wind up using Skitos. I owe my Tevis buckle to the mare who carried me through that ride but also to my Freeform!

As a Dressage trainer and instructor for more than 35 years, I've ridden in many saddles and on different breeds of horses. Within the past 10 years I've been focusing on the Iberian breeds, such as the Lusitano, Andalusian, Friesian, and other Spanish breeds. Typically, these breeds are more difficult to find a good saddle fit because of their physique being large shouldered, broader and shorter backed with an up-hill build. The typical saddle did not work and was pinching the shoulder area. I went on a mission to find something more flexible and saw Freeform saddles in an ad, which included a dressage style saddle they called the Tempo. So, I went on a limb and had one shipped to my house to try. Instantly my must fussy saddle fit horses were so much happier and moving freely. I love the Mono flap which takes your leg closer to the horse. The leather is of quality and beautiful with color and leather options. So many other features such as the adjustability of the seat and leg position, and seat sizes can be changed out. Most importantly, I can use it on any of my horses and it can be ordered in a "short back version". The underside of the saddle conforms well to all my horses. Skito pads work very well with this saddle and can be customized to each horses' needs. A big Thank You to Paulita Neff and Freeform saddlery for an excellent product!"
Lori Krenzien
Owner, Trainer and Instructor
Angel Wings Equine Center LLC
Pierce, CO

I couldn't be happier with the Pathfinder saddle. The seat is the most comfy saddle seat I've ever sat in, I can ride for hour with no more pain. The fitting options for the horse is great also. I have several horses I use the Pathfinder with. A WIN WIN for our herd and myself too. thanks Paulita for the great service.

This saddle is super comfy and light weight. I got the ultimate trail saddle and love it. I am balanced and my horse Judy and I are a good team using the freeform treeless. Judy has broad shoulders and this saddle is wonderful. My teacher got in it and said it feels like riding on a couch. It feels like that and it's only 10 pounds!!! It fits my pelvis perfectly and also my hard to fit draft cross horse. Tried and true. Whitney & Paulita worked with me to make sure I was happy and comfortable. They even let me return the Pathfinder, my first choice, in exchange for this one... Truly I feel this company just wants the customer & especially the horse to be happy, for the long haul. I am blessed to have purchased such a beautiful and well made saddle. Good people, exceptional quality saddle.

I purchased the Ultimate Trail saddle almost a year ago and I am still as happy with the saddle today as I was when I first received it. With the addition of panels and a supportive pad with inserts as recommended by Paulita, I have a winning combination that performs well for the horses I have used it on. I was absolutely amazed to look down while riding and see the horse’s entire shoulder free and moving. It was quite odd at first because most saddles cover up the shoulder area and I kept thinking the saddle was too far back. The seat is comfy and despite the minimalist style of the saddle it provides a great deal of security. I use this saddle for riding trail with lots of trotting, mountain obstacle courses, and mountain trail riding. If I had to replace this saddle today I would buy exactly what I have again. Dawn Keeler - a satisfied customer.