"Sensation" Treeless Saddle

[K&K]

Over the past couple of years, I've been becoming more and more "natural" with my horse. Started with pulling her shoes and keeping her barefoot, using Old Macs on the trail ... now over the past month or two, I've been riding bitless. I have a bosal for western riding and am ordering a biothane sidepull for english.

I realize that shoes, bits, treed saddles, etc, all have their purpose, and I'm not saying that going natural is better for everyone. For me and my horse though, things get better and better for us the more "natural" we become.

Anyway, my vent. I have come to the conclusion that my nice, comfy Circle Y Cordura western saddle doesn't fit Sugar anymore. She's bulked up a lot since I bought that saddle, and it's starting to pinch. I'm really sad to have to sell it, because I love that saddle, but I need to get her one that fits her better.

I've been looking into all sorts of options, and I'm absolutely sold on treeless saddles. A treeless would be perfect for me and for Sugar, and for what we do. I've heard countless good things about them, from here and from people locally (I'm in BC, Canada).

The problem - cost. Treeless saddles haven't been "mainstream" very long, so it's next to impossible to find any used ones for a lower price. In the grand scheme of things, treeless saddles aren't expensive at all, but there's no way I'm going to be able to afford $1000+ for a saddle. It's really frustrating that I can't afford to make my horse as comfortable as possible.

But, someone just recommended this saddle to me -

http://www.nickerssaddlery.com/saddles.html

There's a PDF brochure where you can read all about it. It's much cheaper than treeless saddles like Torsion, Barefoot, and Ansur (the ones available over here).

What are your thoughts about it? I don't know enough about treeless saddles to tell if that's a good alternative or not. I don't want to get a bareback pad, but these saddles sound like they work like a treeless, taking the pressure off of the horse's spine.

Thanks so much for any input!

[No_Angel]

Ive heard some very good things about them, but they have a very big waiting list.

On the Yahoo treeless saddle board a few peole have one, here is the link

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/treelesssaddles/messages

[galadriel]

The Sensation people don't call it a saddle; they call it a pad, since it evolved from a bareback pad. I think this is much more honest. Most of the treeless options are really elaborate bareback pads, not saddles at all.

I like Sensation's description of how they get around pressure points. They also have a nice traditional look. They seem very appealing overall. I'd like to get my hands on one--or possibly even just vist them and see the components before they're assembled. They do not do demos because their production is so far behind demand that they don't have any around to send out as demos.

They've just contacted with Skito in the US to start making the Sensations, so supply may catch up soon :)

[K&K]

Thanks a lot for the info!

No_Angel, do you happen to know how long the waiting lists tend to be?

[Drummers mum]

Sounds like a super saddle, Whats 595 in £? What would it cost to import one?

Also, I wasn't sure I understood the stirrup arrangement! :o Is the girth western or English?

[No_Angel]

The sensation pad has english girth straps I think, it also have funny stirrup straps and many people complain about not being able to get them level.

Somebody on the treeless board ordered theres in Feb and it wont be there till june, so they wait is a fair while.

Heres another web address for the sensation
http://kaarenjordan.com/SensationSaddle.html

And a pictures of someones sensation :)


And 595 is £311.373 :)

[Drummers mum]

Thanks No-Angel, I really like the look of it.

Gal we need you to test it!!

[Showjumper]

I REALLY like the look of that (emailed the company last night to ask for postage costs to the UK :o)

[galadriel]

Gal we need you to test it!!

Grin. I've asked them already if they do demos, but they don't. Possibly once the Skito manufacturing gets set up, they will.

[K&K]

I'm 75% sure I'm going to order one ... just getting in contact with the maker, now. She's only a few hours drive from my town, which is a plus.

[NuttyMare]

Wow, I sure do like the look of that. Tell us how you get on if anyone gets on :D

[Just.Jump]

Well if these saddles are expensive, which they most certainly are... have you considered going bareback? I love it much more than saddles, and if your on the path to being natural, I highly recomend taking the jump. I was introduced to it three years ago and was scared out of my wits to lope bareback, but I didn't fall and actually once you've gained the new level of balance it's MUCH more comfortable. No more rubbing, cold leather that you have to take care of, be wary of water in, or clean. The only huge difference other than stirrups is the fact that you come off a little bit dirty but I adore it enough to get over that.


Anyway, I definately recomend bareback over all others. It's definately cheap =P Oh and by the way, I'm proud of you having your horse go shoeless! I despise shoes to the highest degree- they cause less blood circulation, more preassure, and much more damage to the horses foot and legs. Congratulations on going for natural!

[K&K]

Update ...

Before I got in contact with the maker of the Sensation, I found a lightly used one for sale only about 40 minutes from me. The only problem is, the initial cost of the Sensation is low, but I would also need to purchase a new breastcollar, a new girth, new stirrups and a specialty pad in order to use it, and that would run me up to $800. While the saddle was very nicely made and nice looking, it wasn't worth it to me.

I'm still considering treeless saddles but I think for now the best option is to buy a western saddle that fits Sugar really well. I have a few Western Rawhide brand saddles lined up to try, which is a really excellent brand, so hopefully that works out. I already have all the accessories for a western saddle, so it's much less cost.

I still highly recommend the Sensation for anyone with the money, though! Really, really well made, they are :D

Just.Jump, I do ride bareback a lot of the time, w/t/c, as well as a bit of jumping now and then (although my mare and I are big chickens when it comes to jumping, and a "jump" is more like a pole raised 6 inches off the ground, haha). I do a lot of trail and road riding, though, and need a saddle for that ... plus my horse's chiropractor says it's good for her back to have some support and a break from the constant pressure on the spine that they have when ridden bareback.

[NuttyMare]

Well if these saddles are expensive, which they most certainly are... have you considered going bareback? I love it much more than saddles, and if your on the path to being natural, I highly recomend taking the jump. I was introduced to it three years ago and was scared out of my wits to lope bareback, but I didn't fall and actually once you've gained the new level of balance it's MUCH more comfortable. No more rubbing, cold leather that you have to take care of, be wary of water in, or clean. The only huge difference other than stirrups is the fact that you come off a little bit dirty but I adore it enough to get over that.



The only problem with bareback is the pressure on the horse's spine :o

[No_Angel]

Why don't you consider a treeless western saddle, then you wont have to buy a new girth or breastcollar. :) There are some bob mashalls on ebay at the moment- they tend to come up alot.

[K&K]

I really don't like the Bob Marshall saddles, sorry to say :eek: If I get a treeless, it'll be a more "traditional" looking one (the look of a traditional treeless I mean, not a treeless that looks traditional). That being said, I haven't actually tried a Bob Marshall. There are some for sale in the area but they're all $1000 +.

[No_Angel]

Another idea. How about a barefoot saddle.http://loristack.com/barefoot.htm You can use fenders and english leathers with it and but one of these http://www.cashelcompany.com/pageshop.php?catnumber=XCVTR to use your western cinch (if it very small :p )


P.s. barefoot also do a western saddle and new one called the trail rider.

[No_Angel]

Or one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=47292&item=7153370439&rd=1