Freeform
EnduroX
Trail Saddles
Manufacturer: Freeform
Model: EnduroX
Category: Trail Saddles
Purchase: I purchased through Action Rider Tack. This saddle nickle and dimes you to death. You have to pay for the base - $1065 and the seat $325 and the fenders (standard version) $205 and the stirrups $73. Plus according to the distributors, this saddle must be ridden with their very special one of a kind saddle pad - $185. Shipping was $45. Final price for a foray into treeless wonderland...$1898.10
Likes: Well, the contrasting russet colored stitching looked pretty against the black leather.
I liked the idea of the demo program, although 6 days is a little short for working moms who can't make it to the barn on a daily basis. Demo fee is $49.00 plus shipping both ways ($45-50).
Dislikes: The seat velcros to the base, so that you can switch seats for whatever reason. Sounds ok in theory, but the reality was that the velcro seat was too easily removed for my comfort.
The stirrup bars also velcro to the base, and it seemed that the square bar would have pressed into the horse in an uncomfortable manner.
The cantle edge was flexible and flipped around.
The standard fenders are nowhere near wide enough to keep your legs from getting wet on long sweaty trail rides. Well, maybe if you're a kid, but most adult women I know would find the calves of their jeans soaked through.
The poleys are supposed to add a little bit of stability if you're riding an enthusiastic horse, but are placed too high to prevent you from coming out of the tack IMO.
The super special one of a kind $185 saddle pad with special wither clearance bears striking resemblance to a plain black Reinsman Tacky Too pad. As a saddle pad ho, I just could not indulge in my need for beautiful pads - not at those prices.
Did I already say everything velcros together?
Quality: I was also concerned about how long the saddle would last, and how easy it would be to clean any dirt/dust out of the velcro from trail riding. Especially since I'm not one of those people that cleans her saddle after every ride.
Summary: For $1900 my money is better spent elsewhere.
It was an expensive lesson - $150 for a saddle I owned for less than 4 hours before I put it back on a truck to Oregon.
Rating: 2
Author: A Trail Rider
Date: 0000-00-00
Usefulness Rating: 2.91667 out of 5.
48 reader(s) voted.
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