Freeform Classic Saddle

Freeform Classic Nubuck/Velour, black with contrast stitching, big kneeblocks, $1450   NEW: this model is now also available with 'wither cutback' = 'HW' for higher withered and extra wide shouldered horses $1500	Original Freeform Classic in black or brown Italian Calfskin leather $1700	'Freeform Classic' Nubuck/Velour and seat w. Poley's $1500 NEW: with 'wither cutback' = 'HW' for higher withered and extra wide shouldered horses $1550

 

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The Freeform Classic combines the looks of a conventional English style GP saddle with the lightness and flexibility of being treeless. This is possible due to the technology of foam injection moulding and makes this saddle suitable for many different shapes of horses and riding disciplines. The Freeform Classic is particularly popular for Hunter and working Hunter classes, endurance, trail riding and flatwork, it is a perfect allrounder.

The Freeform is made in a choice of top quality Italian Leather (not Nubuck!) or a tough, hard wearing Nubuck / Velour upper. The leather has a soft feel and although it is smooth, is not slippery like that used on most conventional saddles. The Nubuck / Velour saddles are nice to look at, easy to look after and 'hard wearing', these saddles are made to 90% of leather with Velour trims. The advantage of this material is it's incredible grip - great for those of you who feel they need a little extra security.

The Freeform has a firmer feel than other treeless saddles brands and gives effective cushioning and excellent weight distribution. The flexibility of this saddle minimises interference with the horse's natural gaits and allows full freedom of movement without restriction. For the rider, it provides a lovely contact with the horse's motion, giving more "feel" than is achieved with a traditional tree-ed saddle. In-fact this saddle is extremely comfortable for horse and rider and it does not feel as wide to rider as most other treeless brands, it has a lovely 'twist' which is an important feature especially if you ride a horse with wide sprung ribs.

The saddle is made in two parts and these are comprised of: Saddle Base and the detachable Seat. The seat can be completely removed and is interchangeable with different sizes. The saddle has an aluminium arch built into the pommel section which keeps the rider's weight off the horses withers and spine. This arch is semi flexible and self adjusting to accomodate different width of horses and sits in the front of the detachable seat which velcroes on to the saddle base. This feature is unique and is really very practical if you want to ride more than one horse in this saddle.

 

The stirrup attachment is completely adjustable and designed to allow different stirrup positions from jumping position to a true classical/dressage seat. For many riders this feature is a blessing because the saddle can be adjusted to suit the individual rider's pelvic anatomy. It can make a huge difference to rider comfort and balance to shift the stirrup plate forwards or backwards by sometimes just 5mm. You can often aliviate hip, knee and back pain this way.

 

Girth Straps - These are made from leather faced coated nylon and stitched in on a "Y" system. This helps to make the saddle more secure and spreads the rider's weight over the whole base of the saddle. This also ensures that the stirrup and girthing arrangement do not attach at the same point, thereby preventing pressurepoints on the horse's back. The straps are stitched to make replacement easier (if necessary) they allow for use of different types of two buckle dressage girths. The girthstraps attach via rings to the base, so that you can shift your girth perfectly into your horse's girthgrove. This is a lovely newer feature of the Freeform and makes it even more suitable for use on differently built horses. All Freeform models now have this improved feature.

Seat Sizes - These are available from 16.5" to 18.5" with half-inch increments. These standard sizes we usually have in stock in brown and black. Sizes outside of this range are available but will have to be ordered especially, please allow 6 weeks waiting time. The seats are interchangeable and the suede seats with Poleys match the calfskin leather and the suede Classic saddles. The seats with Poley's ad a lot to rider security.

The Freeform Classic like all other Freeform models is available in a standard size and a shorter base. 'SB' stands for 'short base', the SB is not a different saddles model it is just a Freeform with a shorter length along the spine. The standard base accomodates all seat sizes while the SB base can be fitted with seats up to 17" only.

Other features: All Classic saddles come standard with 5 D rings, two at the front for attachment of breastplate or pommel bag and 3 at the back to attach more gear. You can let the D's disappear under the seat for showing purposes.

Saddle Fitting:

As the Freeform is totally flexible it does not require fitting in the conventional sense. However, there are some basic guidelines that need to be followed. Wither clearance is necessary but does not need to be the usual 2-3 fingers we have become used to. As long as you can slip a finger between the front of the saddle and the wither, this is usually sufficient because the therapeutic saddle pad will help to keep the saddle off the bony part of the horses spine. If you want to test if the saddle clears the base and top of the withers we recommend you do a 'string test': place a baling twine right on your horse's spine, saddle up, hop on and see if you can pull the string out easily at the front when you sit deep and when you stand in the stirrups leaning forward. Next you test this with some tight single knots in the bailing twine. If you can pull out the string with little resistance you are right to do anything with the saddle on this particular horse. If not please get in contact with us and we discuss what can be done.
For horses with refined and higher withers or extra broad shoulders we recommend the new wither cutback Freeform Classic HW with the Skito high peak pad ($285) or the Christ sheepskin pad. For low to normal withered and well muscled horses the HAF pads will work very nicely in conjunction with all Freeform models.

The new Freeform Classic HW provides ultimate freedom of motion for extra wide shouldered horses and also works beautifully for horses with high knee action and those with more refined withers - this is one great and versatile saddle and the saddle fitting for this model is just about fool proof.

 

 

For more detailed info and questions please email us for our saddle fitting questionnaire and we can discuss your individual requirements. More often than not we ask for photo's of your horse showing the horse side on square and one photo taken from behind the horse's rump showing the withers, shoulders and back from the top. Please note that these saddles come with a 7 day return policy.

The Freeform is suitable for heavier riders as well as lightweight riders.

Freedom of motion is a recepy for the happy athlete and isn't that we all want? This beautiful saddle really offers the best of features with excellent weight distribution, rider comfort, adjustablitity and it allows the horse to move freely without restriction.

Weight of the unmounted saddle is 3.5 kilos

Please go to the Freeform SB and Freeform Liberty pages to find out more about the Freeform saddle. You will find several additional photo's of the Freeform in our Photo Gallery.