What do you look for in a treeless?

[Teehee]

I'm debating about buying a new saddle for my pony and she is a extra wide type pony with little withers... I'm thinking about maybe a treeless or a Thorowgood maxam...

Has anyone had any experience with this type of treeless?¿


http://www.equilagoa.com/producto.php?idc=1|4&idp=2566

or this one?

http://www.equilagoa.com/producto.php?idc=1|4&idp=2528

I'm not too sure exactly to look for... in general do the treeless tend to be slippery on round ponies? Is there some addition pad that has to be bought as well... thanks!!!

 

[No_Angel]

I usually go for non slip pads, I have some sheepskin/wool pads and they are nice, but because I tend to have rounder horses, and have to get on and off a lot (we have loads of gates around here) non slip pads are better for me.

Freemax saddles are copies of freeform saddles, but not as nicely made, if you don't intend to do lots of riding and get a decent pad then they will probably be ok.

Usually saddles with gullets tend to be more laterally stable, but can lift you quite high off the back and you can feel perched, also with wider horses treeless saddles without twist can feel wide.

 

[Teehee]

Usually saddles with gullets tend to be more laterally stable, but can lift you quite high off the back and you can feel perched, also with wider horses treeless saddles without twist can feel wide.

How do you know if it has a gullet or a twist, can you physically tell by touching the saddle?

 

[No_Angel]

a gullet is the gap up the center with panels either side, like a treed saddle has.

no gullet
http://www.reitsport-silverado.de/images/product_images/info_images/1114_2.gif

gullet
http://www.equinespecialist.co.uk/images/saddles_fhoenix_clip_image007.jpg


Twist is when the saddle has a built up section, or similar, in the center of the saddle that makes the horse feel narrower.

This saddle would have twist
http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/assets/products/saddles/saddles_fhoenix_clip_image002.jpg

This saddle wouldn't
http://www.loristack.com/images/bf1.jpg

 

[Teehee]

Thank's a lot for the explanation!!!

At least now when I go and look at them, I'll have a better idea what to look for...

 

[freeformuk]

Both of those saddles are copies of the original Freeform but the first one (Norton) is more a copy of the Freemax and I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.