Barefoot Hip Saver / Saddle Twist

Today I rode out with the western Atlanta using the Barefoot Hip Saver.

It took a little while to get the fit tucked under the pommel and cantle. It does come in two sizes and as this is a size 2 saddle, the size 2 saver was perfect.

It does make a difference, giving you subtle support and the feel of a slight twist on the saddle.

I would recommend riders on a wide animal adds this underneath. It stops that sore stretched leg feeling, and enables you to ride in comfort.

It is also extra protection for the saddle having another layer between the seat and the base.

Barefoot Western Treeless Horn

This is an older style fork with horn from the original pre vps (2008) western range. It is very heavy in comparison to the newer pommel horn available now. I believe it would have been the standard wide, but I do not know for certain.

These days Barefoot have made it easier by having the fork sizes in different colours. There is also a simple and cheaper option of just buying the soft pommel. You can leave it as it is or pop the velcro horn on. No need to worry on getting the sizes spot on.

Does anyone recall what the wood was made from?

Tolkat Bareback Pad

I came across this pad recently. I have always wanted to see what the quality of these pads were like.

It comes with a nice black pile fabric cinch. It is known as coolback which is a dense concentration of resilient polyester fibre that are closely shorn to provide maximum cushion with minimal matting or slipping

This is the micro suede version pad which gives it a nice leather look feel. Fleece underneath.

This was being sold as a pony size, despite the company only making a horse size. The pad itself is the same size as the Best Friend, however the biggest downsize with one is that the straps are easy too short.

These are made in Oswego, Oregon USA.

Total Contact Saddle, TCS

I haven’t tried one of these personally. But I came across a very informative blog on the subject.

I will let you read and decide for yourselves.

http://www.theevolvingequestrian.com/blog

Grandeur Round Skirt Treeless Western Pad

I found this pad recently on Ebay. It is the western version of the Grandeur Pads. This has a round skirt which are all made to order.

This pad fits well under ANY western treeless saddle as Grandeur will make the pad to your specific saddle type.

It comes with its own cushion half pad which is removable. You can add your own inserts for extra spinal relief into it if you needed to.

These pads are now available in 18 different colours. They also have the option of square stitching or revision stitching.

The top can be fabric, sympanova or neoprene. The base can be either black or camel artifical wool, sympanova with an artificial wool or a leather section at the rear.

This was a good find as I feel the neoprene top will help with stability. It has been ridden in once so far under the Barefoot Arizona and fitted well.

Barefoot Drytex Stirrup Leathers

I have bought these leathers to fit a Barefoot Arizona. These are easy clean, synthetic leathers.

As you can see they do up reverse to reduce the bulk underneath your thigh.

I will update this post when I have them fitted and in use.

Equitex Bareback Pad

These are now retailing at just over £400 gbp. Available in various colour and material from the Equitex range

Please check out this review on Haynet.

Forget the saddle – go bareback with a difference

Barefoot Treeless Saddle, Pro Seat Range

I have come across the new range of saddles. The seat has been designed to offer more support to the rider, giving a narrower riding feel.

It is more hip friendly and will allow the rider to sit in the position comfortable for them. All Barefoot saddles come with the stirrup hanger that can be positioned to suit the rider.

So far it looks to be the Cheyenne, Cherokee, Barrydale, Lexington and Nottingham. The Lexington has a flatter VPS so it may fit more horses.

Do you need special stirrup leathers for a treeless saddle? — Action Rider Tack

The short answer is yes. A traditional treed English saddle has a recessed metal stirrup bar affixed to the tree of the saddle. It is recessed into the tree so when the buckle of the English stirrup leather is right up against the stirrup bar, you won’t feel it under your thigh. It is covered with […]

Do you need special stirrup leathers for a treeless saddle? — Action Rider Tack

The week in pictures…

People having fun with treeless and Bareback pads

Simple Southern

As usual, it was a week full of horses!

I walked King on the beach and my son rode. He’s not that into horses, but he enjoyed this.

On a different day, I rode King some and walked him some.

Bourbon, the other kill pen standardbred, is amazing. He is learning how to be a riding horse!

We’ve had some new friends come to the barn and I put them on ponies- kids and adults!

My chihuahua, Pearly, broke her foot and is recovering.

Bourbon again, with his dad and his kid.

Bourbon’s dad rode him for the first time and did great. He hasn’t been on a horse in years. It’s a huge deal to be able to take a horse that’s never been ridden and put all the beginners on him!

King’s hoof rehab is coming along. When he first came, his feet were so misshapen that he…

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