why do you use a treeless saddle? (calling all treeless saddle users)

I first tried Treeless as my mare had horrible muscle wastage on her back and reared and tried to crush me every time I went to tack her up.
The moment I got the treeless on her back she stopped whirling around and stood perfectly still, and has ever since.

I chose one for my HW cob as I couldn't get a saddle wide enough to fit him, then chose one for my 12hh section a as she came back form the riding school nippy to tack up, she isn't now.:)

All my other horses have had a treeless saddle as they are lightweight, easier for me to keep check of the fit and very comfy on the bum.

I wouldn't rule out a treed saddle if I felt I needed one, but so far I haven't.
 
FeatheryFeet said:
I would go for a good make second hand rather than a cheap unknown brand new.
Some of the makes have fitters that will come out and help you get fiddle around tweaking for the best fit.
Personally in an ideal world I would be going to try as many different treeless as you can. They can feel so very very different both to you and your horse. You can trial many before you commit.
There is someone surrey way who will bring out different treeless, they come on here can't remember their name though.
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oh thats a help will have to look it up on here and see if i can get some numbers... does it matter what make you go for? like is each make made for different reasons or are they all designed the same but with slight difference? because i see most people on here have chosen all different ones would be interesting to no why they chose that specfic one (if you no what i mean) sorry thats quite an awkward thing to answer...:o
 
Beware of the cheapy ebay ones!

Treeless saddles should undergo quite a lot of testing to get the best quality - if it's cheap it's cheap for a reason ;).

I notice a lot of people here are mentioning the HM saddles. I had a Fhoenix for my horse but had to sell it as it was a little long and didnt mould to his little back as I wanted. I bought a Barefoot and hated it, then went to a tree'd saddle (an Easisit which is a SC / HM saddle) but it didnt fit even with adjustment sadly. Ive now just agreed to buy a Fhoenix in an inch smaller seat size with different panels and fingers crossed I will be happy with that :).

I like the Fhoenix.

Most treeless saddles have saddle fitters for that saddle make.

xxx
 
Look on the link in my sig, it will give you an idea of the different saddle and a look into fitting one and the saddle pads you need:)
 
From another post some time ago

Mariaana said:
I am an independent someone with a selection of treeless saddles :). I am based in Surrey, though - but feel free to email or call and ask for advice - all models are available for trial as well.
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I have not used this person and know nothing about them other than what they put here. Just thought they might be useful for you.
 
thanks everyone for the help and 'featheryfeet' iv been looking at her website and iv seen a few nice ones so think i might give her a call or email maybe. so thank you for that.

just one more question:rolleyes: does anyone jump in a treeless if so what are they like to jump in? are they the same or different?
 
This is me jumping in 2 ansur saddles, the konklusion on the TB and classic on the cob

Maddiejumping2.jpg

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All treeless saddles are different and you need to research to find the one that will be suitable for you and your horse.
 
I rode treeless for 4 years because my young round flat backed cob was changing shape and was cold backed in a treed saddle. It was brilliant and I loved it, but he's now settled into his shape and I found the treeless was no long fitting him as well as it (rubbing his back) and also I wanted to do more jumping so decided to try him treed again. I had Barefoot Cheyenne and couldn't jump well in that, managed little ones but anything bigger than 1 foot and I struggled. I'm sure if funds were unlimited I could find a treeless that I could jump in but unfortunately I'm on a budget so can't. Turns out he's extreamly happy in his new treed (T4 Cob Thorowgood) and we are going great guns!!:D

Treeless was a lifesaver for me and I'm sure once he's slowing down and I no longer jump him I'll go back to it.
 
I got my saddle from an internet add and it didn't take a 'saddler' to test the fit.

I got one because I have a gaited horse that requires 'free shoulder movement'... I know, don't they all.. but a Walker doesn't 'trot'... it has an entirely different shoulder movement.

One of the things I like best about my treeless, is the feel... it's like a bareback ride, but 'cushier'. Becaues of this, I find I use my seat and ballance much more, and rely on stirrups much less, than I do in a treed saddle. I essence, I'm a better rider in it.

I chose a Sensation because it was of high quality and had rave reviews, also, the resale was excellent, in case I didn't like it. But, that was after doing a LOT of research first; I was fairly confident I would like it based on the information I had found..... here in North America most of them resell for close to the original cost; And they don't stay on the market longer than a few days.

Angie J
 
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When I bought my girl, her previous owner had been treeless. I have to say I hated it and this time last year got a saddle fitter out, bought treed and was very happy..........

Until she started bucking one day-very out of character. Turns out that the saddle was too small (the saddler had by then started to build a reputation of being completely crap and trying to fit horses to her saddles!!) I got my money back and spent a good few months on a quest for the perfect treeless.

We now have it-an Exmoor which I have to say is the most secure saddle I have ever used. As a fairly novice rider, my balance is not the best, but there is no slippage and I will get used to the stirrup position eventually.

The bottom line is that I've done it through necessity-I know you can't judge all saddlers by the performance of one, but I don't want to take the risk of hurting my girl again. She steps out freely in the new saddle and clearly enjoys our jaunts far more as a result. My honest preference would be treed because of my lack of stability, but I'd rather work on my balance than have an unhappy pony!:)
 
Re: jumping - I've jumped up to 3' in my Fheonix and felt perfectly secure and would happily jump bigger in it if I stop being a jumping wimp:o

I move the knee roll forwards and up for jumping and back and down for general flat work and hacking (I have the GP version:))
 
I tried a treeless saddle on my old horse because she was having back problems and trying to fit a saddle to her was near on impossible. Her balance was terrible (especially going down hills) and thought that I'd give it a go. In fact this made her worse, she hated the feel of the treeless saddle. I thought it was the most comfortable saddle in the world, however! :D

Now I have a TB. The only treed saddle I could get to fit him was a Dressage saddle. He hated his shoulder being slight restricted from the more forward cut saddles. The difference between those and the one he has got is amazing. So I hack and ride in my Dr all the time.

I must admit, even though treeless didn't suit my mare and I am ceetainly skeptical now, I still have the thoughts in my mind that one like the Fheonix (a more conventional looking saddle) might change my mind. And I think my boy might be a good candidate to try it. But, like I said, I am stil skeptical... :)
 
I bought my treeless as my mare's weight fluctuated and my treed didnt fit any longer. It was a t4, wasnt really that keen on it, not the comfiest saddle in the world but it suited her at the time.

Bought a barefoot cheyenne and defo would not go back to treed if i could help it.....its soooo comfy.....no more numb bum :p

I chose a barefoot cheyenne as it was within my price range, had heard good things about barefoot saddles and it was a good known make. If i'd had a bigger budget I perhaps would have chosen something different.

:)
 
I just got my new Barefoot Cheyenne Drytex today! I don't live far from Horse and Harmony so went to pick it up. The lady there was very helpful.
I trued numerous treed saddles on my Highland mare, but since she has just been broken using a Barefoot, I decided to stick with that for the time being. None of the treed saddles I tried were any use as she's so wide, but I'm delighted with my barefoot and it even fits my old Highland boy, who I usually ride bareback. (Gave up looking for a wide enough saddle for him!)
I hope to get a leather treeless someday, must start saving!
 
I started looking at treeless after I couldn't find anything treed. Even had one custom shaped to him.

I tried the freeforms, and those just didn't work for either of us. Was loaned a Bob Marshall and absolutely loved it. Now I just need to find one of my own!

Biggest difference was we saddled up and he offered collection right off. No asking or fighting, and it's the neatest feeling to feel the back moving up and down with his gaits.

I'd love to try a Pheonix, just don't have the funds at the moment.

Like someone mentioned earlier, not all treeless work for all horses. The bob marshall type run $800-$2400 used, and it's a lucky day if you can find that $800 one!
 
I use a treeless as my pony has really big shoulders, so i'm limited to the straight cut working hunter or dressage types.
Plus when i backed him he was changing shape, so a treeless could be altered easier with correct pads and it was also lighter on his back as he was just a babby. When i bought a treeless he stoppped bucking, speaks for itself really, pony prefers them.

I ride bareback a lot as well, so i also wanted a saddle to give us the same feel.

I also jump so i wanted a saddle that could cope with this and a pad that fitted and gave me spinal clearance which it does both.

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jumping in the barefoot, i would like to try the newer model that's out now though (yes i know i don't have a bridle on)
 
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ok thanks everyone... and newforest if your not wearing a bridle what do you have on? a headcoller or just nothing. would love to jump with no bridle dont trust amey that much just yet:p
 
Hi went treeless originally because of a very wide flat fjord, bought the trekker talent, loved the comfort hated lack of knee rolls and it felt very wide. went bck to treed, back to saddle fitting problems as well, too tight when mare puts on weight. Managed after lots of research to find a very sensation dressage trail second hand and I have sat on it once on my newly backed yesterday young cob. Fjord just had a foal 2 weeks ago so out of action. It feels fantastic sooo comfy and narrow more like a treed saddle with the twist but with the confort of treeless just need to get the padding right and I am sorted.:)Hope this works but pic of proud mum and son, enjoy
foal8.jpg
 
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risky buisness said:
ok thanks everyone... and newforest if your not wearing a bridle what do you have on? a headcoller or just nothing. would love to jump with no bridle dont trust amey that much just yet:p
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In that pic i have nothing on, the pony that is, i'm naked:)
 
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