Are half-trees as comfortable for the horse as treeless?

[NuttyMare]

I rather like the look of the Fhoenix Fa for that matter, but is a half-tree less comfortable for the horse than a treeless saddle? I don't want to sacrifice maximum comfort for my taste!

[NuttyMare]

Bump

[Yann]

They're potentially disastrous as the tree carrying the riders weight ends directly under the rider and can dig into the horse's back. Hopefully that won't be the case with the FF though.

[Bebe]

Echo Yann, I've heard of serious problems caused by half trees where the tree is in the front half. No-ones done a saddle with the half tree at the back so I'm withholding judgement on the Foenix for now. I'm not 100% convinced though, will wait and see what people think a year or so from now.

[Bay Mare]

Check out THIS THREAD which addresses some of the questions.

For myself (I already have the SBS) it's going to be a case of 'wait and see'. I have to admit that I'm not totally convinced either by a half tree but am more than happy to be convinced.

[hackedoff]

All my YO's riding club ponies are ridden in Balance Soft Option half-tree saddles and I've yet to see any problems.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

half tree saddles can destroy your horses back, even if they fit. Galadriel has a webpage all about them that is pretty good.

[kyanya]

I'd generally be wary of half-trees (the standard sort at the front of the saddle), but I've heard a lot about the Fhoneix FA of Heather's and I trust her when she says it's going to offer 'unrivalled comfort' for horse and rider, as the tree will support the rider but the saddle will still be able to adjust to the shape of the horse.

There's no doubt that Heather is very good at this saddle-designing business from her previous models, so I'm confident in her that this saddle wil be up to the same high standards.

She's making the Fhoneix FA with a suberpad built in as well, so that the weight is completly evenly distributed across the horse's back, eliminating the risk of pressure points.

[hackedoff]

Sorry but I think this is just conjectoral talk. I see every day ponies of 20-odd years (some of them) ridden in the aforementioned saddle without problems, not one of them has a back issue in fact they are the most fighting fit bunch of school ponies you could ever meet! Perhaps a cheap badly made half-tree saddle could have a negative effect but that goes for any kind of saddle. I just dont see the evidence of any back damage whatsoever.

[General]

I am 100% positive that whatever Heather designs and makes for horses has the horses comfort at the VERY top of the list. Lets face it she 'tests' most of her designs on her own horses before they go into production for the general public. Do you think she would put anything on her own horse(s) that could potentially harm them?

Im a recent convert to a treeless (SBS Flexion) and I would NEVER use a treed saddle on any of my horses. My horse went from having a sore back that errupted in scabby sores and bucking into every canter transition not to mention running around the stable whilst I tried to tack him up and flinching terribly at the girth being put round to a relaxed, happy, uphill actioned horse, winning at affilliated dressage (and hes only 5!). With the use of clicker training and his special exercises he no longer runs away from the saddle or the girth but stands with his ears pricked.

The research that went into the SBS and the research that has gone into the Fheonix is second to none.

I was wary of the treeless but if my horse's reaction isnt evidence enough - then I dont know what is.

And of course you can 'trial' a Fheonix to check it out for yourself - not many saddlers would be THAT confident in their saddles to say that.

[NuttyMare]

Thanks for your input, I was thinking of trialling one should the need arise.

[Drummers mum]

Ooo and me, they give you a voucher for thecost of the visit that lasts for a year, so that would give me a real date to save for!!!