Fitting of treeless saddles and another question :)

[hApPiNeSs]

should you be able to see daylight through the gullet of a treeless saddle when it is used with a saddlecloth with pads that leave the spine pressure free? or is it too much of a 'close contact' for that?

also, is it true that you have to place the saddle further forward than a conventional saddle? or does it just have to sit at the point where the seat becomes flat?

and finally, i cam across this statement on an ebay item

My horse is having some serious lessons with a trainer and therefore he needs a proper saddle

why can a horse not be trained 'seriously' in a treeless saddle? are there certain disadavantages that i am unaware of? apart from the common problems of weight distribution and wither clearance???

[No_Angel]

i saw that in the advert aswell, i think that either they are embaressed to have a treeless and the trainer is anti-treeless, or the trainer cant ride properly in the saddle.

genreally treeless saddles are placed further back than trees saddles, but with smaller ponies you can place the saddle further forward without impinging their movement.

with the gulleted treeless saddles you may be able to see daylight throught them, im not sure i can with mine, but definatly not with the trekker, and plus they dont really need it.

[Kimo]

I don't see daylight with my Barefoot Nevada treeless. As far as positioning, I put the seat area where I'd sit bareback so it's forward a bit. But it'll be different for you, depending upon which saddle you choose and the build of your horse.

[Chromelotus]

You shouldn't perch a treeless on the withers in most cases, I'm not sure about the more 'English saddle' looking brands though. Torsions and the like should be positioned further back than a normal treed saddle. The Treefree website offers some excellent information on fitting Treeless saddles:

http://www.treefreesaddles.co.uk/page3.html
http://www.treefreesaddles.co.uk/page4.html

[Kimo]

This thread got me thinking. Yesterday, I saddled up with my Barefoot Nevada, went the arena, and was going to mount when I realized the saddle didn't look quite right. I hemmed and hawed and then repositioned it back nearly two inches. Suddenly, it looked perfect, the pommel and cantle were level, and when I rode, it felt really secure. So, I may take back my earlier comment about the saddle being forward more than my old western treed saddle. I'm still getting used to it. :o

[doris]

When I bought my Barefoot Cheyenne, the Barefoot people said that it should be positioned a bit further back than a normal saddle. I'm still getting used to saddling up though, although I'm getting to like it very much, and my little horse would certainly tell me if she didn't like it.

[pedantic]

I put mine forward when placing it on then slide it back so the girth straps are in the correct place, and this makes sure his coat flat underneath, mine is a Barefoot cheyanne, only just had the cheyanne but my other saddle was a treeless and I fitted that one the same way.

[Chromelotus]

I put mine forward when placing it on then slide it back so the girth straps are in the correct place, and this makes sure his coat flat underneath, mine is a Barefoot cheyanne, only just had the cheyanne but my other saddle was a treeless and I fitted that one the same way.

I do that, the best thing to do is set it far forwards and then slide it back until it 'pops' off the withers and onto the back area and the pommel and cantle are level. If I remember rightly, Treeless UK told me that there should be a couple of hands width behind the armpit to the treeless girth, unlike normal girths/treed saddles which are done up closer to the arm pit.

[hApPiNeSs]

ok, thankyou guys. not getting it for about 4 weeks, but need to be prepared you see. ;) :D