Treeless saddles-Good, bad and the ugly

[Spotty_Pony]

lol! Hey guys, I'm going treeless, but I'd like to know how they're better/worse than saddles with trees please.

thanks

Jo

[Spotty_Pony]

I know you have to be careful if you're quite heavy rider, as you can put pressure on the horses' spine.

[carrieh]

I know you have to be careful if you're quite heavy rider, as you can put pressure on the horses' spine.

Whatever your weight you should not continuously put pressure on your horse's spine. But many treeless saddles now have panels like treed saddles, which keeps the centre of the saddle off the spine, creating a gullet. The new models of Barefoot saddles now do, which are just starting to come through from the factory. Heather Moffett's Fhoenix and SBS saddles also have gullets.

If you are using a treeless saddle which doesn't have panels and therefore no gullet, you MUST use special padding underneath the saddle to create a gullet. Most treeless saddle manufacturers recommend certain pads; for example, I think Freeform recommend Haf pads.

Go for a good well known make of treeless saddle, one that is properly made and correctly balanced, and not one of these cheap copies off eBay. Try a few types before you buy to see which sort your horse prefers - they all have different preferences. Some horses love all treeless saddles, some horses prefer one specific type, a few don't like treeless at all. Having no tree means that your saddle adapts to the changing weight/size/width of your horse at all times - there is never any danger of the tree being too narrow for him and pinching him over his withers because there isn't a tree! This therefore completely frees up the shoulder muscles and allows him to move easily and smoothly. I was amazed in the change in my horse when I started riding him in a treeless saddle. He is now much more eager to move forward, and I love the feeling of being much closer to my horse, feel much more secure.

But they are not for everyone - trial first. You must have a good seat to remain in balance with your horse as otherwise you may create pressure points.

[Showjumper]

Echoing CarrieH but I'm concerned that you've decided to go treeless without doing any research first!

Most people have a catalyst moment (horse has outgrown YET another saddle for example) and will set out looking for an alternative, do lots of reading and try saddles out rather than just decide on a whim to go down an different route.

My website might be a useful place for you to start your reading as I have loads of comments, photos and links. www.freewebs.com/alternativehorse :)

Good luck - I adore treeless but please make sure you do your research before taking the plunge to ensure you get the best out of it :)

[EnduranceAli]

Yes, do your research. I spent ages on the internet looking at all the different ones available. I then found a good (but fairly cheap) saddle from Germany. I am only doing schooling/hacking with Frayne at the moment, and the saddle is very comfy for both of us. However, there is another more expensive saddle that I want to get (it is green!). Frayne is so wide/no withers, changing shape all the time - so a treeless saddle was the only real option. It is also more comfortable for me (I have arthritis) :) She moves very well in it and it even stays put with all the steep hills around here.

Ali xx

[Bronya]

Not all makes of treeless suit all horses. I had a VERY bad experience with a well known, very expensive treeless saddle, due to my pony's shape - she grew, and changed, and then it didn't distribute pressure anymore, so now we have a pony with a very bad back and two large white patches on her back (the hair just fell out one day and grew back white...).

You really must get any treeless properly fitted to your horse. It is just as vital, if not more, than getting a treed saddle fitted.

[Palomino Mare]

hi, i had never heard of a treeless saddle before until i was trying to sell one of my horses and a lady who came to try her swore by them. i have since asked my saddler who doesn't reccommed them as she feels it puts too much pressure on the spine and restricts some horses movements.

the lady also brought two of her firends to try tiffany out with her for support and all 3 confessed that they couldnt ride properly in my traditional saddle as their position hachanged so much!

personally i don't have an opinion on them but i don't think i will ever buy one as my feeling is that they are just too much of a grey area.

let us know what u go for!!

[martini55]

I really would try them beforehand. I had tried the new trekker talent on my horse because although it wasn't one of the saddles I had originally wanted it was supposed to suit my horse's back type. Turned out it never fitted at all! So definitely spend the time researching the different types, try different ones out (can be costly but by all means is worth it) and assess whether a treeless is really for you. After all there is absolutely nothing wrong with a well-fitting treed saddle :)

Stick to the well-known makes and avoid the cheapy saddles off ebay.

[carrieh]

i have since asked my saddler who doesn't reccommed them as she feels it puts too much pressure on the spine and restricts some horses movements.

As I said in my post above - you MUST use a proper manufacturer-recommended numnah/saddlepad underneath a treeless saddle that doesn't have a gullet. The recommended padding does in fact create a gullet so you don't put pressure on the spine. But some makes of treeless saddles now have gullets. Either way, you keep off the spine so that it doesn't put pressure there. This is a major point which 'ordinary' saddlers don't seem to understand as yet.

I'm not sure how a properly fitted treeless saddle can restrict a horse's movement though as there isn't a tree to restrict the movement of the muscles. In my experience, it is quite the opposite. Did your saddler elaborate on this? Would be interested.

[cazrider]

how they're better/worse than saddles with trees please.
I ride in a Heather Moffatt Flexion SBS, and love it on Seneca my welsh section d. To answer your question, I love it because you can really feel the horse underneath you.Someone who borrowed it to try said it feltlike bareback with stirrups. I'd agree with that, but would add "very comfortable". They don't suit every horse, but I wouldn't be without mine.

[Bay Mare]

I agree with the others, you need to research first. Like any treed saddle a treeless may not suit every horse or every owner!

I have a treeless (SBS forerunner to the Fhoenix) and haven't had an ounce of trouble with it even through madams worst 'airs'. She has a lovely back and the little (thankfully) atrophy that she had from a treed saddle has reversed nicely.

I've nothing against treed saddles if they fit correctly and are checked regularly. They can cause awful damage if they don't!

There are weight limits on treeless saddles and my personal opinion is that you need to be more aware of the way that you sit in them as you don't have the 'protection' of the tree.

If you're wanting to go treeless I would advise you to try different ones out and to speak to people who have them already as for some people they just aren't suitable for whatever reason!

Personally, though, I love my treeless and would definitely get another :D

[Palomino Mare]

I'm not sure how a properly fitted treeless saddle can restrict a horse's movement though as there isn't a tree to restrict the movement of the muscles. In my experience, it is quite the opposite. Did your saddler elaborate on this? Would be interested.[/QUOTE]


Hi, i have known her for years but as of yet she only flocks my saddles as my no1 saddler lives too far away. She's only recently passed(no idea what the real terminology is:)) and is very conscientious when it comes to horses i.e. she doesnt like wintec's cair system:confused: .
i think she meant that a heavy rider on the back of a horse would put too much pressure on its spine and it wouldnt move as freely - but i will get her to expand for me as i'm confused!!

i'm glad that you elaborated with the specialized saddle pads carrieh as this clears up the concerns over spinal pressure

[carrieh]

All reputable treeless saddle manufacturers give a weight limit for their saddles. So yes, if anyone is overweight, they should not use a treeless saddle.

This is why you must research treeless saddles carefully. They are wonderful when fitted and used correctly according to the manufacturers' instructions - with great emphasis on CORRECTLY! :D It is not a case of buying any old treeless saddle, throwing it on your horse's back and galloping off into the sunset.

We have a Fhoenix and love it. I would never go back to a treed saddle again now. But it took a lot of trialling various treeless saddles and finding the best sort of padding for my particular horse. Never think of it as an easy option as every horse is different. But if you find the one that suits your horse and you use it properly and correctly, your horse will thank you for it.

Damage CAN be done with treeless saddles fitted incorrectly, yes. But vast damage can also be done with treed saddles that don't fit as well.

You'll find a lot of this sort of discussion if you do a search on this forum.

[Spotty_Pony]

Of course I've done research! I just wanted extra opinions. Anyway, we have bought one but I've forgotten the brand lol! Um, I REALLY like it but I've always wanted a western one so I'm sure if I'm going to keep it, but I love it!