> Judy, can you tell if this version has the same aluminum springy-gullet > thing that the other FreeForms have had? The Freeform gullets > are flexible, yes, but they are very V-shaped, where most Icelandic's are > more U-shaped. > > Also, I wonder what seat sizes this will be available in, and how long the > base. The base of the Freeform classic is too-long for most Icelandic > backs, and their Short Back (SB) model will only handle seat sizes up to > 17"
Karen, I asked your questions of Helen of FreeForm; here is her response: Hi Judy I have a super-wide Welsh Cob who has totally flat withers - you could sit a cup of tea on them! The flexible aluminium plate in the seats of the Freeform's accommodate his width very comfortably and still leave a nice clearance over his withers and spine to the point that I can actually get the flat of my hand in under the pommel. There are photos in the Yahoo Treeless album (under Freeform UK I think) that show how wide they open. The inverted "V" shape of the pommel is a necessity or you wouldn't get any clearance at all. What people don't realise is that when you make something flexible it has to be moulded initially narrower than what its intended for so that the flex will be made use of but will not totally collapse onto the horse which is what would happen if the pommel were made into the Icelandic shape. This is why we have a much harder time fitting the narrower, higher withered horse because the moulding is already made to their shape and to make that any narrower to suit them better would peak the pommel beyond tolerance for the rider and would create far too much of a sharp angle in the apex of the wither plate to the point that it could actually pinch there Big seats and short saddles do not and should not go together. To make a short back model to suit anything bigger than a 17" seat is nigh on impossible because when all is said and done, the weight bearing area nearest the horse needs to be bigger than the rider in the same way as the pad/numnah used beneath the saddle needs to be bigger than that; otherwise you will have totally ineffective weight distribution. Therefore, the saddle base needs to be bigger than the seat and if a bigger seat is needed, then a bigger base is too. I am not sure what model Karen is talking about but I assume it's the Liberty (formerly Icelandic). If so this will be available in both the 20" and 22" bases the same as the Classic. I hope this helps. ATB Helen __________________________ Judy http://icehorses.net http://clickryder.com
