Whats the difference between

[storm35]

A treeless saddle and a normal saddle? Is it just the make?

[xloopylozzax]

the fact it has a tree or not...

(the tree is basically the skeleton of the saddle)

[storm35]

the fact it has a tree or not...

(the tree is basically the skeleton of the saddle)

Ohhh now i get it, thank you.

[xloopylozzax]

glad i helped :D

tbh i dont understand it much beyond that, or see the point.

[storm35]

glad i helped :D

tbh i dont understand it much beyond that, or see the point.

Me neither, guess its just a different type of seat at end of the day.

[old_woman]

Think of the difference as similar to the difference between a pair of structured hiking boots, and a pair of soft-soled fabric plimsolls.

They are simply different - made differently and feeling different (to your feet or the horse's back). One is not necessarily any better or worse than the other. It depends on the situation, and the feet (or the back).

However, if you think of the well-fitting structured hiking boots, they would be very painful on to your feet if your foot changed shape. It is likely that the soft-soled plimsolls would be far more comfortable in this situation, or if your feet are not a fairly well-matched pair.

[storm35]

Thank you old woman thats a good way of putting, always wondered what a treeless saddle was.

[old_woman]

Bear in mind, though, that it wouldn't be very sensible to wear plimsolls if you were walking up Ben Nevis in the winter, and nor would it be sensible to wear hiking boots if you were going to a dance class ...

I have treeless AND treed saddles which I use at different times and for different purposes. I currently only have one horse which I ride.

[storm35]

Bear in mind, though, that it wouldn't be very sensible to wear plimsolls if you were walking up Ben Nevis in the winter, and nor would it be sensible to wear hiking boots if you were going to a dance class ...

I have treeless AND treed saddles which I use at different times and for different purposes. I currently only have one horse which I ride.

Thank you, so who would use a treeless saddle? Whats the difference in the 2 saddles if you understand what am trying to day?

[Wally]

nor would it be sensible to wear hiking boots if you were going to a dance class ...

Clearly you have not been to our village hall dances! :D :D Hob nailed boot with safety toes is advisable!

I have both tree'd and tree less saddles. There is merit in both types, however not all horses like a treeless or go better in them.

Some folk will tell you that a treeless will fit and suit every horse, this is not the case.

I would prefer to use a treed saddle for hunting or fast work over unlevel terrain. I would use the treeless for slower work.

Which ever you use it must fit the horse properly.

Here's a picture of a typical saddle tree which you build the saddle on.

http://www.naturalhorsetrim.com/SADDLE_TREE.jpg

This is a picture of a tree from below, after the first stage of straining up the tree with webbing.
http://www.courbette.com/Infos/saddletree_2.jpg

and one from above
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://i.pbase.com/g6/47/669547/2/80961909.C06Ogz1Q.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pbase.com/maneevent/image/80961909&usg=__Gn2pXcRJ5ktEfPJwYWYjB8Z1WX4=&h=600&w=800&sz=76&hl=en&start=30&sig2=76bR83S7D2dRzkmgMcDnfg&um=1&tbnid=6-IG7PRdfFhkGM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=143&ei=XABqSeiHHaO1jAfRlP2uCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsaddle%2Btree%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGLF,GGLF:1970-01,GGLF:en%26sa%3DN

[storm35]

Thanks Wally, very interesting, i learn something on here every day :)

[ShariN]

I for the most part,, have given up on a treed saddle.

My Icelandic is super, super short backed, very round, big shouldered and no withered. Nigh on impossible to fit a treed saddle too.
We have settled on a Sensation treeless. We do ride in the hills... hills so steep she has to slide on her hocks to get down. We have just started cantering again and I can tell she really likes this saddle.
For her,, Treeless is sooo much better than a treed saddle, of which I have been through a number including American Flex.
She won't walk or tolt if she doesn't like a saddle... pretty clear when she doesn't like something.;)

However,, my Fjord personally didn't care,, treed, treeless...didn't matter to her as long as it fit well. She had a much longer back and some withers. Her back was a dream to fit a treed saddle too.

A treeless can be like riding on a bareback pad, so the rider needs good balance. Unless it is a model like the StarTrekk,, this saddle is much more ridged than most of the other treeless saddles. So someone with not as good balance would most likely be happier with this saddle.

It just depends on each horse and their rider. Treed, treeless,, none is better than another...

[Wally]

Piggy hated the treeless saddle. His way of going became really cross, swishy tail and not happy.

[ShariN]

What make and model Wally?

I ask because Dyfra has not liked all treeless saddles. She down right hated the Freeform.

[Wally]

It was a Heather Moffett SBS original one before Ansur threw his teddy out the cot, and spat out his dummy over it. ;)

[ShariN]

You need to get yourself a Sensation.
I don't know why but ....and I kid you not... 80% of the people I know with Icelandic's ..use this treeless and their Icelandics love it.:rolleyes:

I have ridden on an Ansur and knew before I even put it on Dyfra she wouldn't like that model either.

[Wally]

How do you find it after your injury?

[ShariN]

How do you find it after your injury?

I love it! In all honesty I wasn't expecting to find any saddle comforable but the new Sensation Hybrid is. Just glad Dyfra likes it as much!

I tried riding on my Treed saddle once and I had to get off quick.. it hurt too much.

[old_woman]

Clearly you have not been to our village hall dances! :D :D Hob nailed boot with safety toes is advisable!

No, I've not been to your specific dances, but have definitely attended some where dancing with a pneumatic drill would have been preferable to some of the partners who 'requested the pleasure' ...

I still think that for classes, plimsolls would be better than hobnail boots!