Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Hi,

Thought I'd respond to your inquiry as
I've now had my FreeForm since April and covered a 'few miles', including
my first 100 miler.  I must confess though that I was 'on a saddle
finding mission' when, much to my chagrin, my custom made saddle ONCE AGAIN
failed me.  Having spent over $10,000 in the past 3 years on saddles
(all but the custom made one resaleable), I was at my proverbial wits end
(pissed is the local translation).  

I'll try to keep this short but you can
e-mail me privately if you'd like more info.  Having traveled to Ridgecrest
(Twenty Mule Team) with my riding buddy (6.5 hours without counting the
stops), having ridden briefly to see the trail, only to discover in the
vet line that my custom made saddle had given my boy a slightly sore back,
I decided not to ride him and crewed (I'm terrible at it but that's another
story).  Anyway, I bought the FreeForm after asking Michele Rouch
about it, took it with me (and another horse) to 3 days at Cuyama and the
first time I rode in it was 50 miles on a horse who'd never had one on
his back.  All three days of Cuyama and we finished safe and sound.
 Next time I used it was for a 50 miler two weeks later on the same
horse.  Same good result except we needed to add a crupper (he doesn't
have high withers and it was very steep in some places).  Next time
was on my primary horse at the 50 mile Whiskeytown ride, a pretty tough
ride and we did exceptionally well, even after Tally's pasture mate kicked
him (again, another story).

We've never been pulled or had a sore back
because of the saddle.  Keep in mind, I use it on 5 different arab
horses (16 h 1200 lb. Lucky - da big boy; 15.3 h barely 900 lb. angular,
high withered, skinny boy Tally; 15 hand 1100 lb. round/pregnant looking
Sister; 900 lb. 14.2 h short coupled recently gelded greenie Justice; and,
when I can steal him from his father/owner, 15.3 hand 1050 lb. elegant
boy Star).  The only problem I've ever had was with the original Italian
girth - which they don't sell anymore (might it have had something to do
with my feedback??!!!).  Check with Chris or Steve at www.Freeformusa.com
 Good guys and a really good saddle.  Oh, and I'm in the process
of modifying it to use my old endurance leathers and stirrups.  My
daughter was trying out my saddle and just put hers through the ring that
theirs are sewn to.  I'll of course give my opinion once I try it
out.
 
Good luck!
Sandy
p.s. I currently use the
Equipedic pad with it but I'm in the process of getting one of the HAF
pads they sell to try out.  I'll let you all know how it goes.
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