Freeform Ultimate Trail Saddle

Finding comfort for horse AND rider

This is the second time I've felt compelled to write about Saddle Up and the Freeform saddles. The first time was in 2006 when a freeform saddle completely changed a young mare I was training. That mare is still with me and is the best horse I have ever owned! This time I'm writing because I was afraid I was going to have to stop riding (or at least stop endurance riding) at 58 because I was struggling with hip pain. Paulita of Saddle Up has always helped me in the past with issues fitting my horses, but this was the first time I needed a fitting for me! She recognized I needed a narrower twist these days and put me in the ultimate trail saddle with a seat bolster and asked me to ride in is for a few weeks. Well, in that time, my horse and I completed 30 miles at the Old Dominion No Frills race and the next day I was feeling great! Then I did 25 miles at Biltmore. I felt so good after the race that the next day I rode another 10 with some new endurance riders in the intro. The more I ride, the better I feel. I thought I would never ride a 50 again but now it looks like I just have to get my butt in shape and I will be riding 50s before I know it! Thank you Paulita, Saddle Up and Freeform for getting me "back in the saddle again."

Game changer

I absolutely love this saddle. The craftsmanship is unparalleled, as is the level of thought that went into the design. At first the saddle does feel bulky, but in a short time the foam settles. After about a week it felt more close contact than my 25 year old freeform classic. I have no pain in my hips or back. It stays in place on steep rocky inclines and declines, for hard galloping and everything else I’ve been able to throw at it. Most importantly my horse Sicario loves it. I can feel him rounding his back when he canters and he easily goes into a nice extended trot that was a battle in his treed saddle. I can’t get over the change going downhill! I honestly was scared going out to the trails from my barn on him last year in my treed saddle because it felt like we were essentially doing a controlled fall back down the 1000ft hill back to the barn. This improved with the 25 year old freeform classic a friend gifted me. With the new freeform ultimate trail he takes his time and going steadily with a loose rein. This is because with some modification to the pad we were able to take all the pressure off of his shoulder. Paulina Neff is an absolute joy to work with. She even called me to help me readjust things during the trial period. Her recommendations were spot on and I am very grateful for her expertise! I know if there’s an issue in the future, she can steer me in the right direction! I’m so happy to have found the perfect saddle for my horse as we embark on our endurance career together!

Really nice quality and excellent service

I'm new to the concept of treeless saddles and have been really impressed with the high quality of my new Freeform saddle. The leather is gorgeous, and the saddle overall is very well made. Most importantly, it's making my horse (and me!) very comfortable. I had some issues finding a saddle that would fit my new horse and decided to try treeless. I have ridden in traditional dressage saddles for 25 years but have had some issues with fit. I'm so glad I found this saddle as my horse has made it clear to me that he is much more comfortable.. The saddle is secure and comfortable for me as well. Paulita and Whitney have been extremely generous with their time, answering my many questions and helping me understand what my horse needs. I highly recommend this company!