ANOTHER Treeless Saddle Question: Black Forest

[Char]

Sorry for yet another thread, but I’d like to glean experiences/opinions on the Black Forest Treeless Saddles.

I’m looking at the Shasta. Anybody have one? Do you like it? Are you pleased with the workmanship, etc.?

TIA, hopefully I will be pulling the trigger on one of these soon and will be able to stop with these question threads.

[katyb]

My son has the Town and Country and loves it. I’m not sure if that is helpful. I think the horses have a slight preference for the Barefoot and Bandos over the Black Forest.

[Char]

Where the heck do you find the Bandos saddles? I have googled for 10 min straight, and I can’t find a website? I looked on the Freeform website, and they do not list them, I looked up AE Saddleworks, and no luck. :no:

[Equibrit]

http://www.actionridertack.com/p-1802-bandos-trail-treeless-saddles-sale.aspx

[tabula_rashah]

I love, love, love my Black Forest Aspen. So much so that I am putting my two ortho-flex’s up for sale so I can get another treeless. In the last couple of weeks I did a CTR and a 25 mile LD endurance- for both I received perfect back scores and I am not a lightweight!! Here’s a photo of mine (picture for MD Trail Challenge and courtesy of Sarah Andrew)
My only issue with the black forest is the company- they have seriously pissed me off. I need a different style seat for mine and I’ve emailed and called multiple times- they always say they’ll get right on it and then I never hear back (and it’s not like I want something for free, I’m trying to order something from them :mad: ). So my next treeless will be coming from Barefoot I’m pretty sure because I’ve heard they have wonderful customer service.

[katyb]

The Bandos isn’t made any more, so they are hard to find. I’m guessing the A size is pretty small, since the B is much smaller than the Barefoot or Black Forest 2. I wish I had bought one when Action Rider had them on clearance, just as an eventual saddle. I love my Bandos.

[Char]

Thank you all for the replies and comments - I’ve finally ordered a saddle and pad:

insert drum roll

Barefoot Sierra!

I finally decided, the heck with it. Why cheap out and have to go through this all over again next year…:eek:

Thanks all so much!

[Shermy]

Woohoo, you will LOVE it. Good that you had already ridden in one, so know what to expect.

I LOVE mine! I ride a lot & do LONG rides. I have yet to find my saddle limit for it, lol.

It is just so dang comfy

[Char]

Just got an email that my saddle won’t be in for at least 4 weeks, as they are waiting on a shipment from Germany.

It will be worth the wait, though. :yes:

[Wistara]

Black Forest Saddles

:no: I purchased a synthetic (Echo) for my Arab mare, did not like the quality for the price, did not fit my mare and the owner Vic is not easy to deal with.

[GallopingGrape]

Call me for any Black Forest saddles and you wont have to deal directly!!

[katyb]

I spent about 30 minutes on the phone with Vic, while he tried to find some fenders that would work for my 6’6" 14-year-old son. We’d already exchanged a ton of emails, he looked at picture so him riding and such to be sure he understood what I needed. He shipped the saddle and fenders out to me the same day, at my request. I would say my customer service experience with them was extremely positive. I bought an ebay saddle they were selling, by second chance offer, so I doubt they even made much of a profit off me. (New Aspen for $475.)