Freeform Treeless Saddles

Freeform Treeless Saddles by Saddle Up, LLC. f you are looking for the Ultimate in Treeless

Want a treeless saddle proven on endurance miles and serious trail riding?

Freeform Treeless Saddlesby Saddle Up, LLC.

f you are looking for the Ultimate in Treeless Saddles, Freeform Treeless Saddles are the answer! Freeform saddles provide extraordinary comfort for you and your horse.

Says Paulita Neff, Owner of Saddle Up Treeless Saddles…

For more than a decade I’ve been riding in a treeless saddle — hard endurance miles and many trail miles, too. Years ago, in searching for a saddle that would fit one of my horses, I came across treeless saddles. I did months and months of research before buying my first saddle. Over the years I have been working closely with several different saddle fitters here on the east coast. I’d love to share my knowledge with you in helping you with the correct fit. Oh and by the way, the saddle fitters really like the new panel system offered by Freeform and how we are able to fit most horses in with just the correct saddle pad.. It is making things a whole lot easier for the hard-to-fit horse.

But There Are So Many Treeless Saddles On The Market, How Do I Choose The Best?

There are a lot of treeless saddles on the market these days. I’ve seen just about all of them. And yes, some of them have given treeless a bad name. And yes, some will collapse onto the spine of the horse. And yes, some will roll with rounder horses. And yes some are just completely substandard— which is really irritating! This is why I choice to only work with Freeform Treeless saddle, as they are designed for the sport of endurance and Have to work.

So Why Does Paulita Only Sell Freeform Treeless Saddles Now?

I have offered several different treeless saddles here since I opened Saddle Up, LLC. As you can tell, I have removed all but the Freeform Saddles. Freeform saddles provide extraordinary comfort for you and your horse. I personally design Freeform saddles and stake my name on it. For many years this saddle has been the go to saddle for the top endurance riders in the world. With that said, these saddles have to work, not only for the horse but the rider.

What Sets Freeform Apart From Even The Better Treeless Saddles Out There?
* Freeform Saddles provide superior quality in every aspect of treeless saddles: remarkable versatility for the serious rider, whether you ride endurance, trail, hunt seat or dressage, made in Italy by craftsmen in consultation with leading equestrians.

* Freeform Saddles combine the qualities of a conventional saddle with the lightness and flexibility of being treeless. As a result of the Freeform foam injection molding process the saddle is suitable for horses with a wide variety of conformations. Its flexibility minimizes interference with the horse’s natural gaits and offers a comfortable, more balanced ride than a traditional saddle, while protecting the horse’s back.

* The Freeform Saddle has two main parts: the saddle base and the detachable seat. Other features include an adjustable stirrup attachment, adjustable girthing and a wide choice of leathers and colors. The breathable foam core ensures the saddle’s light weight. See technical details and more information below.

* The flexibility of these saddles allows the horse complete unrestricted freedom of movement, encouraging movement as nature intended, while providing a close-contact feel for the rider. There is excellent weight distribution with all the Freeform saddles. This gives the horse and rider a comfortable, balanced riding experience.

* The incorporation of “flexi-front” technology, as detailed below, into the front of the seat aids in wither clearance and adjusts automatically with both the movement and shape of the horse. One saddle can fit all of your horses. Plus, as your horse’s back changes with age and conditioning, the saddle consistently maintains a good fit.

Is It True That Freeform Saddles Can Help Rebuild My Horse’s Topline?
The Freeform Saddlesare flexible in directions that allow the saddle to adjust immediately to the movements of the horse. The construction of these saddles allows for free and full extension of the horse’s shoulders, unencumbered by the rigidity of a tree. The pommel area is non weight-bearing and the horse can move forward without restriction or pain. This helps to build or rebuild the horse’s topline.

I Am Worried About Weight Distribution— What If I Am Over 150 Pounds?

Freeform Saddles are designed to give the best possible weight distribution. With our new panel system, using poron as the filler, we are able to do computer scans that are clean and clear. This is huge in fitting the horses withers, spine issues and heavier riders (175-210 lbs). During a rising trot and two pointing, the rider’s weight is distributed over the entire footprint of the saddle. It is not always necessary to use the panels. I'm here to help you make the correct choice for both you and your horse.

Note: Freeform saddles promote healthy backs! Our saddles are made of foam injected molding that keep the saddle off the horse’s spine.

What Fittings and Accessories Can I Use With My Freeform Saddle?

Most Freeform Saddles are equipped with dressage billet straps so you can use any regular dressage girth. Western models are equipped with one large D-ring. The front D-rings provide for the use of a standard breast collar. English style stirrup leathers are available to match your Freeform Saddle. The stirrup leathers are a single piece of leather and attach with a buckle like a webber. This eliminates bulk under your thigh, greatly increasing your comfort and contact with your horse.

Can I Use My Freeform On More Than One Horse?
Freeform Saddles are made to conform to the unique characteristics of your horses back. These are saddles you will use for years to come on many different horses if you so choose, confident that the quality of materials and workmanship will last and last.

Is It True That Many Tevis Cup Winners Ride In a Freeform Saddle?
Yes and if you ride in one you will soon learn why!The Freeform saddle has been used by most Tevis Cup winners since 2007. You too will be a winner in your horse’s eyes when you’re riding in a Freeform saddle because you will both love the comfort it offers as you are riding!

Is It True That There is a Risk Free Demo-Program? How Does It Work?
We are happy to have a demo program. We know the issues out there with buying a new saddle, and we want everyone to be happy with their new saddle. So saying that, let’s go over Saddle Up’s guidelines for the Demo Program:

1) Yes, you will need to buy one of our new saddles. Sorry: we’re unable to have enough “demo” saddles to go around..

2) From the date your receive your newly purchased saddle: You have 7 calendar days to give it a try. Remember to adjust your seat and stirrups leathers. Some times it is a small adjustment of ¼”. This can take several rides to find the right placement; then it’s magical. Please call me with any questions. We’re here for you! Keep the saddle’s tags in place.

3) Keep the saddle in like new condition, clean, free from hair and dirt. We do understand that riding can be a dirty venture, but if you do decide to return it, the next person will want a new saddle, too. When we receive it, if it’s not “like new,” then we’ll have to discount it to the next person, and this means we’ll have to discount the amount returned to you. Sorry. This also applies to pads.

How Will My Freeform Saddle Feel To My Horse?
Your horse will be delighted. He will be moving much more freely, especially in the shoulders, and will generally be moving with a bigger stride. The design of the Freeform Saddles moves with the contours of your horse’s back in motion. The “Y” girthing system distributes your weight and pressure over the whole of the saddle. Since the Freeform Saddles conform to the shape of your horse’s back whether at rest or in motion, there is no stress to your horse and he will be happy.
Doesn’t You Deserve To Ride In The Best?
You have the best horse, best food and care you can possibly provide. Life is short— when you or your horse are uncomfortable, neither of you will be able to enjoy the ride. A Great saddle is your 2nd best investment (after a great horse!). Let my years of experience help YOU with your choice. I have tried them all and now I know WHY Tevis Cup Winners choose Freeform! Call Paulita today and get started on a saddle that you will truly love!!

The Solution Section

Who is Paulita Neff — and how did she come to Freeform?

Per Paulita Neff, owner of Saddle Up, LLC: "For more than a decade I've been riding in a treeless saddle — hard endurance miles and many trail miles, too." Years ago, in searching for a saddle that would fit one of her horses, Paulita came across treeless saddles. She did months and months of research before buying her first one. Over the years, she's worked closely with several saddle fitters on the east coast.

Paulita has offered several different treeless saddles since opening Saddle Up, LLC — but as of today, she has removed all but the Freeform Saddles. Per Paulita: "I personally design Freeform saddles and stake my name on it. For many years this saddle has been the go-to saddle for the top endurance riders in the world."

There are lots of treeless saddles — how do I choose the best one?

Per Paulita Neff: "There are a lot of treeless saddles on the market these days. I've seen just about all of them. And yes, some of them have given treeless a bad name." Failure modes she's seen:

Saddles that collapse onto the spine of the horse
Saddles that roll with rounder horses
Saddles that are "completely substandard — which is really irritating!"

Per Paulita, this is why she only works with Freeform Treeless saddles: "They are designed for the sport of endurance and HAVE to work."

What sets Freeform apart from even the better treeless saddles?

Per Saddle Up, LLC, Freeform's differentiation:

Made in Italy by craftsmen in consultation with leading equestrians
Foam injection molding process — suitable for horses with a wide variety of conformations
Combines qualities of a conventional saddle with the lightness and flexibility of being treeless
Two main parts: the saddle base + the detachable seat
Adjustable stirrup attachment, adjustable girthing, wide choice of leathers and colors
Breathable foam core ensures light weight
"Flexi-front" technology in the front of the seat aids wither clearance and adjusts automatically with movement and shape of the horse

Per the company: "One saddle can fit all of your horses. Plus, as your horse's back changes with age and conditioning, the saddle consistently maintains a good fit."

Can a Freeform saddle help rebuild my horse's topline?

Per Saddle Up, LLC: yes. Freeform saddles are flexible in directions that allow the saddle to adjust immediately to the movements of the horse. Construction allows for free and full extension of the horse's shoulders, unencumbered by the rigidity of a tree. The pommel area is non-weight-bearing and the horse can move forward without restriction or pain — this helps to build or rebuild the horse's topline.

What about weight distribution — what if I'm a heavier rider?

Per Saddle Up, LLC: Freeform saddles are designed to give the best possible weight distribution. With the new panel system using poron as the filler, the team can do computer scans that are clean and clear. This is huge in fitting horses with wither/spine issues AND heavier riders (175–210 lbs). During a rising trot and two-pointing, the rider's weight is distributed over the entire footprint of the saddle. It is not always necessary to use the panels — Paulita helps customers make the correct choice for both rider and horse.

What fittings and accessories work with my Freeform — and can I use it on multiple horses?

Per Saddle Up, LLC:

Most Freeform saddles equipped with dressage billet straps — works with any regular dressage girth
Western models equipped with one large D-ring
Front D-rings work with a standard breast collar
English-style stirrup leathers available to match — single piece of leather, attached with a buckle like a webber, eliminates bulk under your thigh

Multiple horses: yes — Freeform saddles conform to the unique characteristics of each horse's back. Per the company, you can use it for years to come on many different horses, confident that quality and workmanship will last.

What's the Tevis Cup track record — and is there a demo program?

Per Saddle Up, LLC: the Freeform saddle has been used by most Tevis Cup winners since 2007.

Demo Program guidelines:

You purchase a new saddle (no separate demo inventory available)
7 calendar days from receipt to give it a try — adjust seat and stirrup leathers (sometimes a 1/4" adjustment matters; can take several rides to find right placement)
Keep the saddle's tags in place
Keep saddle in like-new condition (clean, free from hair and dirt)
If returned not like-new, return amount will be discounted to match the discount needed to sell to next buyer
Same applies to saddle pads

Per Paulita: "We're here for you. Please call me with any questions."

How will my horse feel — and how do I order?

Per Saddle Up, LLC: "Your horse will be delighted. He will be moving much more freely, especially in the shoulders, and will generally be moving with a bigger stride." The design moves with the contours of the horse's back in motion. The "Y" girthing system distributes the rider's weight and pressure over the whole saddle. Since Freeform saddles conform to the shape of the horse's back at rest AND in motion, there is no stress to the horse.

Per Paulita: "Doesn't your horse deserve the best? A great saddle is your 2nd best investment, after a great horse."

To order: Paulita Neff at 540-830-2713, email PaulitaNeff@gmail.com. Address: 9620 Genoa Road, Fulks Run, Virginia 22830. Pricing varies by saddle model, leather choice, and customization; pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors and Italian leather/material-market conditions — confirm current pricing with Paulita directly when scoping.