Freeform Ultimate Trail Treeless Saddle - Endurance, Trail or Dressage
The Freeform Ultimate Trail is our best selling saddle - 
its incredible comfort and security make it a favorite seat for trail, distance riding, and endurance!
We even have high level Dressage riders using this saddle - riders and trainers report that they find this saddle extremely balanced.
Wonderful Gel Seat that Fits a Woman's Pelvic Bones
After many years of riding, I wanted to design a comfy saddle for my older body. I worked for a few years on prototypes of different seat styles. Finally, I’ve come up with what I think is the perfect seat! A wonderful gel seat that fits a woman’s pelvic bones. It’s wide in the seat, narrow in the twist and high in the cantle with soft gel poleys. This seat will keep you in the saddle for many hours of riding. I’m in love with the comfort and security of it. Even though I designed it for women, men are loving it too!
You can also purchase the seat separately. (Note this seat runs small; plan to size up one. See more information in the Sizing sections.)
Enjoy the Trail with Comfort & Balance
Your leg will drape lightly against the side of your horse. You will feel extremely balanced and comfortable in this beautiful Italian made saddle specifically created by Paulita for distance riding.
With only the lightest of leg and seat aids, you can achieve the communication that we all strive towards. This saddle puts you, the rider, in a balanced position that combines comfort with superb craftsmanship.
It is fully adjustable to fit most horses and riders. Try one out... you will love it and your horse will love it.
Features
- The most comfortable seat on the market
- Includes choice of either 2” wave leathers or western fenders
- Interchange billet system to achieve the correct girth placement
- The best quality Italian leather and craftsmanship
Note from Paulita:
I designed the Ultimate Trail Saddle in 2015. It quickly became our most popular saddle. Loved by thousands. It personally has changed how long I’m able to ride and my comfort level. Long walks no longer hurt my lower back in this incredible seat. No matter if I’m posting all afternoon or gaiting down the trail, it is comfortable. It will fit you like a glove. The Wave leathers help my knees by not twisting them in a place of pain. Honestly, I think we are riding all day in a LazyBoy recliner.
Ultimate Trail Treeless Saddle Video Overview
Please view the Ultimate Trail treeless saddle overview video in the product media section above.
Saddle Base Sizes
- Standard 22” Base - Fits all seat sizes
- Shortback 20” Base - Fits seats up 18"
- EXTRA Shortback 18” Base - Fits up to a 17” seat
** PLEASE NOTE: The Ultimate Trail seat does NOT run in a normal sizing - sizing is based on rider height and weight. If you are in a 17, you will need to bump up to a 18. For instance, I’m 5’6” and 145 (most of the time) I ride comfortable in a 18 Ultimate trail seat. Usually I would be in a 17 or 17.5”. Please see below for more information on measuring for your seat size.
Choosing the Correct Seat Size for the Ultimate Trail Saddle
The primary consideration for the rider of a treeless saddle is the seat size.
** PLEASE NOTE: The Ultimate Trail seat does NOT run in a normal sizing. Sizing is based on rider height and weight. To ensure the correct size/fit for horse and rider, please contact Paulita at paulitaneff@gmail.com or Whitney at (540) 271-4577 and we'll be happy to assist you.
The Ultimate Trail is available in seat size 16.5” – 20”.
If you are in a 17, you will need to bump up to a 18. For instance, I’m 5’6” and 145 (most of the time) I ride comfortably in a 18 Ultimate trail seat. Usually I would be in a 17 or 17.5”.
Customer Reviews
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 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 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"!
We’re still riding in our Ultimate Trail Saddle. I loved this saddle when I reviewed it in 2020, and I still love it. My horse, Blanco, loves this rig and it’s all we ride in. Thank you, Paulita, for this saddle. Everyone at my barn is skeptical until they sit in this saddle. And Blanco looks fabulous and moves beautifully in this saddle no matter what time of year it is. Still loving it……:)
