Freeform
Classic
Dressage Saddles
Manufacturer: Freeform
Model: Classic
Category: Dressage Saddles
Purchase: This is an updated review to the one I posted long ago. I bought the saddle barely used for $850.
I wish there was an update function to these reviews.
Likes: Not much anymore after using it for a couple of years. My horse and I started out loving it as you can see from my first review. At first she carried herself well and moved out nicely. The appearance of the saddle was nice and I even showed at rated Dressage shows in addition to using it on the trails. It is light weight, which is nice. I had a good channel down the spine using the HAF pad. A very attractive saddle with good knee blocks.
Dislikes: As time went on, my horse developed extreme soreness over her entire back, but was very bad under the stirrup hanger area. She became very sore in the loin area to the point of spasm. Had thermal imaging done which showed she was sore all down her spine. Apparently the channel made with the pad just is not wide enough. Even if it was, that would not fix the stirrup hanger problem. I changed foam inserts, added an extra layer of material, still didn't work. I also developed inflamed abductor muscles in my thighs from trying to close my calves to my horse with all the foam bulk under them. It also seemed to trap a lot of heat as it is a big foam shell, bumps developed on her skin after a 3 hour trail ride.
I gave this saddle more than a fair shot for over 2 years with trying different padding, etc. Just did not work. FYI this horse has high withers and an A frame body type. Not a good candidate for treeless, but I thought I had it all working with the padding.
Quality: Quality is good for what it is. The leather is soft, and glued and stitched to the foam core. This was a very attractive saddle. I truly loved this saddle in the beginning and thought it was very attractive. The simpanova lining did tear eventually.
Summary: It was a great idea that just didn't work for my horse. Maybe a better choice for very wide flat backed horses with very super light weight riders. I am normal weight for 5'8" with a slim built horse.
Rating: 1
Author: still searching
Date: 2011-12-16
Usefulness Rating: 3.01942 out of 5.
206 reader(s) voted.
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