Ridecamp: [RC] Free & Easy saddle report #1 (long)

Ok, wow, it's been like Christmas here for me!! I decided
to purchase the Free and Easy Trekker saddle and Bruce
Guest delivered it and fit it to Ash last Sunday. (We had
to jerry-rig together two dressage girths because I
recently sold my AP girth with my Thorowgood saddle.)
Anyway, the company was wonderful to deal with, Marlene
Moss and Bruce Guest answered MANY questions I had,
referred me to Lari Shea who also answered MANY questions
and I bugged poor Dede Johnson when she said she was
ordering one to find out what she thought. Someone e-mailed
me saying they didn't like theirs, not that it didn't fit
the horse, just they didn't like the way they rode in it,
can't remember who though. To be honest, I think this rider
said they only tried it twice, so may not be a fair
assessment as it does seat you differently than any other
saddle I've ever used. Period. Ok, back to the saddle, it's
very well made, not too heavy, would have been a bit
difficult to fit by myself, but Bruce did that for me, also
answering questions and dealing with my horse who didn't
want to stand still for 1.5 hours. (It wouldn't normally
take that long to fit, but he explained the process and way
the saddle works through the whole procedure.) Rode in it
gently around the yard for about 15 min. after the fitting
to get an idea how it sat. WOW!! My feet are finally in the
correct position, without having to try!! I feel like I
look like the pictures of shoulders/hips/ankles!! It is a
little to get used to, but instantly I noticed my back
didn't ache as I quit leaning forward trying to get my feet
under me. Had to wait til last night to give it the true
test of a longer ride. Did 8 miles, first thing I decided
is the stirrup leathers (for me) go on top of the flaps.
(You have the option.) Ash moved out well in it, although
he's so green, he doesn't realize he can complain yet. He
still threw in a small buck every now and then at a canter,
but I think he does that cuz' he's so green. (Only been
ridden since January.) He generally doesn't do it when we
ride with another rider. We were alone. We walked, trotted
and cantered and it's going to take a bit of an adjustment
on my part, or actually a lack of adjustment (my other
saddles made me adjust to the wrong stirrup position.) I
definitely need wintec webbers as the buckle is too bulky
under my thigh, and I need a shorter girth (borrowed a 48"
need a 42"). After the ride I was aware of no back pain,
and I slept well all night. Previously I dreaded laying
down as it was painful to turn over and sometimes (hate to
admit it) would come up with excuses not to ride again the
very next day, just because I dreaded trotting. Pulled the
saddle off and a totally even sweat mark, no ruffled hairs,
no swollen spots. Checked his back this am, no flinching to
pressure, so we'll use it for a month and report back. So
far, an enthusiastic thumbs up!! I don't have the website
handy, but you can do a search or go to Marlene Moss's
website listed on the endurance.net home page.

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Heidi-aerc#M20935  /\_/\~    http://www.synjinarts.com
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                  /   O> ) \~~~~~    Art)
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