Freemax eBay saddles?

[madam_mare]

​https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F283257952598

I found an older post about these saddles, but was curious everyone’s thoughts on them if used with a good saddle pad? I’m retraining a hard to fit gelding and was just looking for something to start him out in that was also something I could trail ride my other horse in (they’re VERY different fits so that’s why I’m thinking treeless). I have an Equipedic endurance pad that id be using it with. Not looking to spend alot in case the gelding destroys it during his re-start. TIA!

[Equibrit]

The saddle you linked to is a cheap Chinese knock-off of a genuine Freemax,which is manufactured by Acavallo. It is junk.

This is an archived description of Acavallo Freemax saddles (from Ebay)
http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=220797448789&pm=1&ds=0&t=1472380132135

[katyb]

Look for a used Barefoot or Black Forest instead.

[Nathine]

Most treeless saddles will slip and roll unless you have an excellent non skid pad. The majority of these saddles cannot be mounted from the ground and the saddle will roll. The manufacturer will warn you on their website. There is an ezfit saddle that claims that you can mount this saddle from the ground without roll, although I have not verified it and it is rare to impossible to find a used one In general we use flex tree saddles that are the next step up to fitting a wider range of horses to fit. You can also consider a gaited style saddle that cuts free of the withers allowing better movement and a better fit.

[katyb]

@Nathine

Most treeless saddles will slip and roll unless you have an excellent non skid pad. The majority of these saddles cannot be mounted from the ground and the saddle will roll. The manufacturer will warn you on their website. There is an ezfit saddle that claims that you can mount this saddle from the ground without roll, although I have not verified it and it is rare to impossible to find a used one In general we use flex tree saddles that are the next step up to fitting a wider range of horses to fit. You can also consider a gaited style saddle that cuts free of the withers allowing better movement and a better fit.

I have a Bob Marshall, Black Forest, Bandos, Barefoot, and Trekker. ALL treeless, and all I can mount my 16.1 Sporthorse from the ground. I see more issues with my friends mounting treed western saddles and slippage than with a treeless. I use a Skito, which has a sheepskin, not non-slip, backing. Based on tons of experience over the last ten years, this statement is just false.

[Guilherme]

By using a really sloppy “mounting technique” I can put about any saddle under a horse’s belly (and my happy ass in the dirt). Treed or treeless, makes no difference.

I’m not a treeless fan, as most folks here know, but I’m a “to each his own” on the subject as long as they understand how these things work, or don’t. But just 'cause one person has had a problem, or not had a problem, that means precisely nothing to anyone else unless we “wash up” the problem with the 5Ws.

G.

[candyappy]

@Guilherme

By using a really sloppy “mounting technique” I can put about any saddle under a horse’s belly (and my happy ass in the dirt). Treed or treeless, makes no difference.
G.

You are so right G

[katyb]

Agreed. And also some horses are more of a challenge than others, although I’ve mounted even those, treeless. But I’m tall and strong, which helps.

But yesterday my horse walked off while I had one foot in the stirrup, so it took me a moment, and my treeless saddle stayed put. Yes, he was made aware of the error of his ways. It’s not a thing with him, so no doubt I did something wrong to set us on that path, but the saddle wasn’t an issue!

[GallopingGrape]

I have ridden in a Bob Marshall for 10 years and now ride in a Ghost Treeless. I can mount both from the ground… the statement above is not true.