Treeless Saddle

[MaddieBlack]

I am thinking about getting a treeless saddle for my youngster and am drawn towards the western style saddles as I already ride my older mare in a western saddle (not treeless) which I find very comfortable and like the feel of the deep seat. The treeless saddle I am considering is the Barefoot Nevada, has anybody got any information/feedback good or otherwise on these saddles?

[Shadowlark]

My only problem with the Nevada is that the horn is for decoration only. Now I can honestly tell you that the horn has saved my sorry hide on more then one occasion. And it worries me that someone would grab it in an accident and it would simply rip off in their hand. Not a "make it or break it" issue, but one worth pointing out

Beyond that I have heard a lot of really good things about it.

[No_Angel]

I have a hilason western saddle and a barefoot arizona saddle. havent ridden in the arizona myself yet, but ive sat on it on a stand. Fits my hw cob nicely, tho we do find it a bit slippy when mounting. My hilason was a bit slippy on my rounder horse, but ive changed the girthing over and it seems better now.

[carrieh]

I've ridden in the new-style Barefoot Nevada - the new ones just coming out of the factory now with soft panels underneath creating a gullet. It was like sitting in an armchair and very soft and comfortable. I liked it a lot. I also liked the English girthing arrangement, which is great for horses with forward girth grooves.

However if I were to get one for myself, I'd have to use at least 2 Heather Moffett Hipsavers on it! :D One on top of the other! I've only got little legs and because there is no twist to speak of in the Nevada, my legs stuck out abominably. I couldn't get the lower half of my legs anywhere near the rather rotund horse I tried the saddle on.

That aside, it is a lovely saddle and stayed put beautifully on the no-withered, very round barrelled horse I rode. I felt very secure and safe in it, far more so than any other saddle I've ridden in - even my own Fhoenix.

If I could get over the problem of having no twist - if the Hipsavers really were the answer - I would most certainly consider getting one.

[MaddieBlack]

Thanks for response on treeless saddles. I was worried about whether the saddle would slip but the Nevada sounds quite a secure saddle, as regards the horn, definately a good point, it really is whether this is enough not to get one, probably not but definately worth knowing!

[carrieh]

The horn seemed quite secure when I tested the Nevada, although Barefoot do make a legal disclaimer about it being for decoration only. I wouldn't use the horn for roping cattle [!] or anything that required brute strength as it isn't attached to a tree of course, it's just part of an insert, but I used it to help me mount with no problem whatsoever. Plus I held on to it when bending over to adjust the girth - again, no problem. So I don't think it's that flimsy.

I'd have the saddle without question if I could just get over the 'twist' problem.