Barefoot saddles ... Tahoe, Atlanta or Cheyenne?

[Meadow36]

I am serious about taking the leap into treeless territory since I want to start doing some longer trail rides. I normally ride English in my Antares jumping saddle. I have been doing tons of reading, and I think the Barefoot models are the way to go. The above three are the ones I am considering.

I have a TB with a moderately high wither. I also would like to post at the trot, get in half seat, and otherwise don’t want to be “stuck” in a sitting position.

Any testimonials to the above models or other recommendations?

[PRS]

Demo. Demo. Demo. If you have any need at all for a narrower twist or if your horse is round you may need to manufacture or add a twist somehow. The barefoots tend to ride wide and to have a lot of bulk under the flap so that just makes the saddle feel even wider. The Atlanta is the one with the least amount of bulk. Also getting a close contact skito pad for under the saddle would help…these only have the fleece under the seat and thin quilted felt on the flaps. I, personally LOVE my Sensation Hybrid. It provides a somewhat better twist than the Barefoots.

[Meadow36]

Yes I’ve been looking at the Sensations, either the Hybrid or English Trail - but it seems they only sell them in Canada? Is there a U.S. distributor that does trials?

[Auventera_Two]

I personally could not stand the Cheyenne or London. I love my Bob Marshall though I know people do like the Barefoot saddles, but they just weren’t close contact or stable enough for me. I agree that it feels like you’re sitting on layers of pillows. There is way too much padding and bulk. You can’t even get your leg on the horse at all. I also owned a Bandos for awhile. I loved it at first, but compared to the Bob Marshall, it fails miserably. At endurance rides I see lots and lots of Bob Marshalls and not too many other varieties. But Freeform is another popular one that is more structured.

[Shermy]

I have both, the Cheyenne and the Sierra. The Sierra is the same saddle as the Alanta, but w/a horn. I have never sat in a Tahoe.

My main saddle is the Sierra. It fits me better, and I feel like I sit deeper in it. I really like it! I got it almost 4 years ago, then they first came out. It doesnt have the VPS Panels, those were not available then.

I ride w/a Skito pad.

I agree, I have also, sat in a London and Arizona. While the overall feel is similiar, cushy and be able to feel the horse under you, each of the saddles DO FEEL slightly different.

I would demo, if possible. Which one is the most comfortable is pretty subjective. They are all very nice saddles, and I would think you would find either a nice saddle, which is the most comfortable will only come from trying them out for awhile.

[PRS]

[QUOTE=Meadow36;5886727]
Yes I’ve been looking at the Sensations, either the Hybrid or English Trail - but it seems they only sell them in Canada? Is there a U.S. distributor that does trials?[/QUOTE]

I demo’ed and purchased mine from melissa at www.freedomtreeless.com. She is very knowledgeable and very easy to work with. She’s in GA but will ship anywhere in the country. All the saddles are made in Canada and dropped shipped from Canada to the customer after you order and they make it especially for you. You can demo and order through sales rep like Melissa. It doesn’t cost any more than ordering direct from Canada and you will get personalized service from someone who has ridden and competed sucessfully in a Sensation saddle.

[Lamb_Chop]

I rode for many years in a Courbette Marschall dressage saddle, which I loved on the trail for the deep seat and grippy leather. Then I finally got a horse that it didn’t fit, and I got a Freeform Classic treeless. The first time I sat on that saddle on a horse, I was amazed and delighted- it felt like riding bareback. The saddle has been on a couple other horses since then, and I’ve had no fitting issues- the horses and I have all been really happy with it. I have used a breast collar, because the saddle does tend to roll on mounting without it. I do a lot of technical trails, and I want the saddle to stay put.

I understand the treeless models do vary quite a bit, so demo if you can!

[Meadow36]

I would LOVE to consider a Freeform, but the model that I like is $500+ more then my budget.

OK so I think I am going to demo the Sensation Hybrid; I wanted to try the English Trail, but Melissa doesn’t have a demo for that one right now. There is a good used English Trail for sale on the treeless yahoo group, so I’ll have to make a decision after I demo the Hybrid.

Any other advice? Pads or other gear? We are talking about a 16.1 hand TB with prominent withers, not really “shark fin” per say but definitely not a flat backed horse like a QH.

[Meadow36]

[QUOTE=PRS;5886397]
Demo. Demo. Demo. If you have any need at all for a narrower twist or if your horse is round you may need to manufacture or add a twist somehow. The barefoots tend to ride wide and to have a lot of bulk under the flap so that just makes the saddle feel even wider. The Atlanta is the one with the least amount of bulk. Also getting a close contact skito pad for under the saddle would help…these only have the fleece under the seat and thin quilted felt on the flaps. I, personally LOVE my Sensation Hybrid. It provides a somewhat better twist than the Barefoots.[/QUOTE]

With they hybrid … are you still able to get into half seat at the canter? Are you able to post comfortably? I’m a little worried about being able to get out of the tack when I want to…

[2Jakes]

I have a Sensation Hybrid also. Love it! I have a Missouri Foxtrotter who gaits but his “endurance speed” is a long trot so I post. No problem at all.

The one problem I did have was too much padding. I was using a Skito with 3/4" panels and having issues with friction bumps. Once I changed over to thinline panels it’s all good.

Melissa is very helpful and Sensations are 100X’s more comfortable than the Barefoots IME. Best of luck, saddle shopping is tough!

[PRS]

[QUOTE=Meadow36;5888426]
With they hybrid … are you still able to get into half seat at the canter? Are you able to post comfortably? I’m a little worried about being able to get out of the tack when I want to…[/QUOTE]

I can get into the half seat at the canter with no problem. I find that the saddle puts me in a very nice balanced position where I can post comfortably but I don’t post big and I ride with a long leg. Some people claim they have interference from the pommel but it doesn’t bother me at all…but like I said I post, but I don’t post real big. I have to say that this is the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever ridden in. My horse is a QH/Arab cross. He has, what I would call, medium withers…they aren’t shark fin but are far from mutton withers too. The saddle fits him beautifully. I also ride his mother in the same saddle. She is 28 years old now and her withers are a little more prominent than they were when she was younger…she goes beautifully in this saddle. I find the saddle comfortable, stable and secure. Love, love this saddle.