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Barefoot   Barefoot Saddle - What is it? The only saddle that is really flexible and moveable in all directions is one that does not have a rigid tree acting on the saddle position. Under such a saddle the horse can move with true freedom, its back can arch and thus enable lateral movement of the breast vertebral column. Following many trials and optimisations this concept was used to create our BAREFOOT saddle. Even problem horses have in many cases been helped by our saddle so that once again they are quiet when being saddled and more relaxed when being ridden. Sitting on the horses vertebrae?
 The seat bones of the rider are positioned left and right of the horse’s vertebrae. Additionally, the cushioned saddle seating area protects both horse and rider from pressure spots. Every Barefoot Saddle has additional thick, pressure absorbing, anatomically (to the riders leg) shaped, moulded panels on either side of the spine. These panels create a soft gullet which insures spinal clearance. The use of our special pressure absorbing saddle pad is still recommended to increase the effect of the gullet. The feel of treeless riding The feeling of sitting on a BAREFOOT saddle is similar to bareback riding, but more comfortable and safe. The rider is framed by the front and back parts of the saddle and can equip the saddle with fenders or stirrup leathers which also serve as security.The BAREFOOT saddle is suitable for all kinds of riding. Even beginners enjoy a Barefoot saddle as they can feel the close contact with the horse and have a tremendous sense of safety as they sit securely in the saddle. The Barefoot allows for riders with back problems to ride without pain as the motion of the horse is transmitted in a soft, wavelike way. So there’s hardly strain on the rider’s discs. A further advantage of the saddle is that there’s no need to order an expert to adapt the saddle as it fits almost every horse’s back. You can not cause any saddle pressure when you handle the barefoot system in a correct way! Therefore please always use a shock-absorbing saddle underlay. Which system to take depends on the weight of the rider and the durance of the rides. Please feel free to ask for advice. Inexperience riders and Barefoot
Because a Barefoot saddle is treeless, it gives a close contact feeling with the horse. Young and inexperience riders can clearly feel the movements of the horse. The riders create their own and independence sit on the feeling of the horse and not the model of a saddle!
 The pommel and cantle also gives great support. In the beginning the rider can hold themselves on to the pommel while they still have the right posture (straight back) as the hands stay at the right height. When they feel secure enough, they can release the pommel and there they go, in the same position.
An example of when an inexperience rider starts to trot, they sit like a bag on the saddle (not nice for horse and rider). It takes a few rides before they can do the raising trot.
With a Barefoot saddle we noticed that these riders start to do the rising trot in the first lesson, even in rhythm. That you won’t believe that it is their first riding lesson. The stableyard Jump-On in Wuustwezel gives riding lessons for young and inexperience riders on Barefoot saddles. Here we can see Megan, a 5 year old riding Hermes on a new Cheyenne size 0, and already Megan has great posture. 
Material Barefoot's leather products are hand-sewn and are made from vegetable-tanned leather (tanned using plant extracts only), so they are free of chromium or other toxic chemicals. The leather is dyed all the way through, not just coated with paint. Our Nubuck leather surfaces are conditioned after tanning which gives it a subtle elegant gloss. This treatment also helps to keep off dirt. All Barefoot leathers are easy to clean and are water repelling.Why vegetable tanning? Vegetable-tanned leather is more durable, flexible, and heavier. The process is also 100 % environmentally friendly because vegetable tanning does not use any of the toxic chemical additives so prevalent in conventional tanning. For horse and rider it is more pleasant to use because it is noticeably softer than chemically tanned leather. What’s the difference to chemical tanning? Chemically tanned leather shrinks rapidly during the tanning process and so loses its elasticity. This means it will become brittle and weak sooner. The chemicals used (heavy metals etc) also pollute the environment, and can cause allergies where the leather touches skin. Allergens like Cobalt(II) chloride, Potassium dichromate and Sodium sulfite are not used in the manufacture of any of our materials. All Barefoot articles are solidly hand-crafted, so every one is unique. Our leathers are true products of nature. This means the surface will turn out a bit different every time. Please don’t regard natural characteristics like scars or insect bites as faults but proof that the materials are genuine.
Maintaining a Barefoot saddle Care and maintenance of your Barefoot products Items made from leather: Leather is a natural product. Scars, darkly pigmented spots, roughness, unevenness or variations in color, especially bleaching from sunlight, are all possible and considered normal, are due to environmental influences, and are not covered by warranty. Care of your saddle: The saddle models 'Cheyenne', 'Nevada', 'Arizona' and 'Atlanta' are made from Nubuk leather, the Barefoot 'London' is made from Softleather. Nubuk leather has the grain layer partly sanded off; this makes it softer and gives it its characteristic velvety feel, reminiscent of peach skin. Softleather has a smooth, soft surface; it is especially pliable and lets you sit like on clouds. Both kinds of leather feature a soft, pleasant feel and a gentle grip. This suppleness allows the saddle to adjust perfectly to the horses’ back, while at the same time providing good stability, comfort and long-lasting quality. For cleaning of Nubuk and Softleather you shouldn’t use grease or wax, because they can clog the pores of these leathers. Please use the special Barefoot Leather Cleaner. Spray cleaner onto the saddle and gently rub it in, using a soft cloth. For very dirty leather, moisten cloth. Let sit and soak in, then remove remnants with a dry cloth. Price: 12,95 € Finish your leather care session with Barefoot Leather Care Cream. Apply a small amount of Leather care cream with the enclosed sponge. Let leather dry a little while before the next use. Price: 9,95 € We recommend testing leather care products in an inconspicuous spot.   All leather accessories (girths, fenders, stirrup leathers, bridles) can also be cleaned and protected with the Barefoot Leather Cleaner and the Leather Care Cream. All our leather goods are quality tested and treated with a leather protection product before being shipped out. Leather can change with use. That’s why we recommend checking if all leather is intact before every ride, also all seams and metal parts, especially at the billets and stirrup attachment. Do not use saddle if any damages are found! Care of Barefoot saddle pads: All our saddle pads are machine washable, on the ‘cold’ and ‘gentle’ setting. The foam inserts can be left in place for washing. If the Physio pad system is only slightly dirty, you can also remove dirt, dust and hairs with a moist sponge and a gentle cleanser. The Kodel fleece underside of the Grandeur Special pad can be combed out with a small brush, to separate and fluff up any matted parts, if needed. |
In the meantime there are some saddles on the market which externally look similar to the Barefoot “Cheyenne”. These saddles are quite different in detail and in some ways anything but horse-friendly. There have been rumours that Barefoot has its finger in the pie in this respect, but we want to dissociate ourselves from these saddles once and for all – the original Barefoot is distinguishable by its feather!
Stable, light- weighted fibreglas inserts, in different sizes, easy to exchange 
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