Free n Easy Saddles

[ccc]

Am quite interested in saving up for one of these for LDR, but would love to hear from anyone who has tried one first!

Thanks
Clair

[olivia]

I had a free'n'easy for several years before switching to treeless.

It was certainly better than the many treed saddles I had tried before on Tilly who is very wide, with MASSIVE shoulders. However I had an ongoing problem with bridle lameness on Tilly. She'd be hopping lame (to the degree the first time the vet saw it he screamed "Get off get off I think she's broken a leg") but after a few minutes she would be absolutely fine. She was fine on the lunge and in the field. Lots of tests later (including physios, chiros, xrays, nerve blocks etc) there was nothing that could be found wrong.

When I switched to a treeless the lameness slowly disappeared.

So I can't put it down to the F'n'E, and it was just as bad with other treed saddles.

They are also the worlds HEAVIEST saddle! Tacking up is a nightmare, as is finding a saddle bag it'll fit in

Olivia

[ccc]

Thanks Olivia! I wasn't aware of that I am not good with heavy saddles at all, so may have to have a rethink!

[lucydales]

I had one Clair, give me a call sometime to discuss, not good or bad!! I agree with Olivia on the weight thing.

[The Moo]

I had one and loved it but it was a standard width and would never have been wide enough for the hairies.
Very very sad to see it go.

[harleydales]

My friend had one and notched up 1750 competitive endurance miles with it on her cob - he was never vetted out for lameness or tightness or anything. Add to that all the training miles she must have done and it certainly was put through it's paces! The horse was wide to XW.
It was quite heavy though.

[taffydales]

I had one Claire made to measure for Merls it was an endurance special, and some people will remember the threads I posted about it, I just could,nt get on with it at all, and they are very heavy, I was lucky enough to sell it last year on ebay, there are a few new models now that are lighter, and I have heard good and bad about them on the endurance circuit, but I personaly would,nt have another one.

[ccc]

Vanda,

Can you PM me the details of why you didn't like it?

Am hoping to try one in the near future, so would like to know what I need to be aware of!

Thanks

Lucy, I don't have your phone number!!!!!!!!

Hopefully will catch up with you on Saturday at the area 5 meal

Clair x

[ccc]

Wish us luck! The FnE people are coming to see us on Friday. Praying for better weather and that I am not as tired as I am now

[taffydales]

How did it go Clair?

[ccc]

Fine Vanda! Got a lovely black endurance model ;D