cheap treeless saddle - opinions on a libra saddle please?

R

roz84

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 May 2012
Messages
280
Visit site
My mare's saddle doesn't fit :-( she is in a thorowgood cob xxxw gullet but it just isn't right and is a bit out of balance - too low at the front although it has the right gullet in. She is a haflinger, quite rotund at the moment and hasn't been working much recently as I had an operation. I am thinking of going treeless.

I have ridden her in a barefoot saddle that I borrowed just to try, I really loved it and it didn't budge - finances are very tight at the moment however and even if I sold my Throwgood I doubt I'd be able to find a second hand Barefoot within budget. I have seen postive reviews of the Libra range of treeless saddles and wondered if anyone on here has any direct experience of them? I only really hack, do pleasure rides with the odd bit of jumping (no higher than 2'!)
 
My rather rotund Highland pony has a Copperbeech treeless saddle which is fantastic. I'm not entirely sure how well known the brand is but it's very comfortable and fits her well; no slippig or sliding or anything else untoward. Having said this, I'm looking into getting a Thorn show saddle pad for her (Google them - they have received some fantastic reviews!) as the Copperbeech one is green (!) and obviously not acceptable for showing etc (This saddle came with her - I would have personally chosen a more, ahem, muted colour!).
 
I loved my Libra, it was sooo comfortable and suited my CB mare really well. It's a decent little saddle and puts you in a good position if you like to ride dressage style. I've done a bit of jumping in it just fine. I believe the construction is pretty decent for such a well priced saddle. The only criticism I have is that it wore out really quickly so has now been retired to backing purposes.

I have to say it beat my old Torsion and my new FlexEE hands down for comfort. Just make sure you use a really good pad under it, you can't go wrong with a Suber, but whatever you use don't skimp as it's just as important as the saddle itself with treeless.
 
I really like mine on my my traditional cob, very comfy. As said, make sure you use a decent treeless pad as the poly pad Libra suggests on their website just doesn't provide enough support in my opinion. I use a Grandeur/Barefoot pad with mine.
 
I have a Heather Moffett Flexee and it works well on my XXXW haffy, very secure, feels much like a treed saddle but more comfy... well it is a leather tree inside. Not sure what your budget is but you could probably get one on the EE second hand facebook page, mine was about 300 6 or so months ago but the synthetic one is not being made anymore, so it should be a little bit cheaper.

Excuse the bedraggled pony

DSC_1356_zps0d2265c2.jpg
 
Please be careful about buying a cheap treeless - the Libras are probably the best of the cheap ones but some of the treeless saddles you find on ebay and the like, are shockingly made and could do more harm to your horse's back than a badly fitting treed saddle.

Far safer to look for a reputable make second hand, and as mentioned, the pad underneath will need to be specifically designed for a treeless saddle too.
 
LittleBlackMule said:
Please be careful about buying a cheap treeless - the Libras are probably the best of the cheap ones but some of the treeless saddles you find on ebay and the like, are shockingly made and could do more harm to your horse's back than a badly fitting treed saddle.

Far safer to look for a reputable make second hand, and as mentioned, the pad underneath will need to be specifically designed for a treeless saddle too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, I am no fool, just skint lol! Hence asking about the libra saddle - no piece of indian rubbish will be going anywhere near my horse! To the poster above - I used to have a flexee for my old horse and it was dreamy to ride in, shame I didn't keep it! The only think about it was that i wasn't sure how hardwearing it would be if that makes sense - the fabric etc on seat and panels was a bit thin
 
I am looking at treeless to atm and someone did say they liked their Libra but that they aren't up to alot of work-they are happy hacker saddles (which, tbf they do say on their website). So not up to fast work/jumping for long.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
I am looking at treeless to atm and someone did say they liked their Libra but that they aren't up to alot of work-they are happy hacker saddles (which, tbf they do say on their website). So not up to fast work/jumping for long.
Click to expand...

That is my worry - we don't do an awful lot I must admit but am worried a libra might not be up to it - maybe better trying to find a used barefoot!
 
I have a Heather Moffet treeless for my little cob and I am delighted with it. I worried about going treeless but am pleased so far. I did however try one out before I bought.
 
I hated mine and sold it after riding in it twice. No good if you are heavier than about 10.5 stone and if you have a higher withered horse. I bought a second hand Barefoot one and I've been riding in it for three years now and love it!
 
I have a Libra and used it to back my pony. It's a super saddle for the price and I've done far more with mine than is recommended, and as a result it's died and I'm now saddle-less until the saddle fitter can come out on Thursday. For gentle hacking and schooling they're super, but I did a lot of fast work and jumping with mine and the front has collapsed on the right hand side - not enough that you'd notice to look at it, but enough that I feel awfully squint when sitting on it, even though it looks fine when it's put on and girthed up. I've had it 2 years though so really can't complain - it's done me proud! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top