Could I ride in a 15” treeless saddle?

[Caol Ila]

Never thought much about saddle size but there’s a saddle on eBay that might be very useful to me. It has a 15” seat. I don’t know if I’ve ever come across one that small as I just get whatever is standard.

I’m 5’4 and about 8.5 stone.

 

[rabatsa]

It depends on your bum size. Only by sitting in such a small saddle will you know.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I would say not unless your an anorexic bean pole.

 

[JackFrost]

no no no. That will only fit a child-sized child.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Id also say probably not but it depends how petite you are

 

[JBM]

I’m 5’6 9 stone and I find a 17inch perfect anything smaller and I would find it hard to have a good seat

 

[dottylottie]

i’m 5”2, about 7 stone, size 6/8 and i definitely couldn’t get my bum in a 15” seat lol - 16” is ideal for me

 

[Caol Ila]

Damn. This isn't sounding positive.

It's cheap, for what it is, on eBay. That's probably why.

 

[Caol Ila]

It's this thing.

Lightweight Treefree Exmoor Saddle Small 15" Black | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Lightweight Treefree Exmoor Saddle Small 15" Black at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[JackFrost]

I've a feeling sizing can work differently on the treeless saddles perhaps re-post as treeless saddle sizing.

 

[GoldenWillow]

I'm same height and weight as you, I'm comfortable in most 16.5, some 16 but definitely wouldn't be able to ride in a 15.

 

[Caol Ila]

I've a feeling sizing can work differently on the treeless saddles - perhaps re-post as treeless saddle sizing.

Cool. Added "treeless" to the thread title.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

I'm 5'4 and about 9 stone, my bum would never fit in a 15" seat I usually ride in 16.5" to 17" seats but I don't know weather treeless saddles have different seat sizes?

 

[tda]

I'd probably ask the seller how they've measured it? Treeless are sometimes measured differently

 

[Barton Bounty]

Treeless is a saddle you may get away with , the seats tend to be generous on them

 

[maya2008]

I ride in a 15” Torsion. I am 5ft 4, 9 stone.

As an aside, I saw a Treefree Dartmoor for £300 on Endurance Riders UK Classified Facebook group. It doesn’t say size though.

 

[SheriffTruman]

Never thought much about saddle size but there’s a saddle on eBay that might be very useful to me. It has a 15” seat. I don’t know if I’ve ever come across one that small as I just get whatever is standard.

I’m 5’4 and about 8.5 stone.

I'm 7.8 stone and 160 cms, and I need a 16,5" seat at the minimum. Depending on the size of your bum as well, I'm rather flat-bummed. I make up for it bosom-wise.

Treeless as such has nothing to do with it (I still need 16,5" or equivalent). It does differ if you have a deep seat / hight cantle. Flat saddles give you more room.

 

[sychnant]

I've just bought a 17 inch treefree dartmoor, it measures 17 inches from back of pommel straight across the seat to the cantle zip, as the one you're looking at has been measured (looking at the photos)

I have a way bigger bum than you (not saying how big!!!) and I fit in mine fine.

If I measure it like a treed saddle, from where I'm guessing the pin would be, diagonally across the seat to the middle of the cantle, it's 20 inches.

After all that - I think you'll be fine!

 

[sbloom]

They're possibly sized more like Western saddles,.something like 2" nore generous than English saddles.

 

[planete]

A 15" treeless should ride like a 16" treed saddle. My Torsion is a 15" pony one. I am 5'2 and 7 and a half stone and it feels quite roomy for me. I would go by what size treed saddle you are comfortable in. My treed saddles were 16" so I know I am ok in a 15" treeless. About this Treefree, do ask where the stirrup bars and the girth straps are as I rejected one which had had the stirrup bars moved forward and the girth straps placed near the front of the saddle which would have suited neither Woody nor myself.

Ps. I have just checked the ad. It is the saddle I was enquiring about. Nothing wrong with it but I would probably be put into a chair seat by the stirrups and all saddles tend to slip back on Woody so the girthing position would not work on him. I am also beginning to suspect he is happier in a saddle without a built in channel because of his enormously wide spine. The Torsion pad distributes pressure welll away from his spine going by the flattened hair after a ride.

 

[Caol Ila]

My guys need a forward girth strap, which this one is. It’s got the same set up as my Tor, which is 16” and very roomy.

 

[planete]

My guys need a forward girth strap, which this one is. It’s got the same set up as my Tor, which is 16” and very roomy.

It sounds promising then. Hope it works for you size wise.

 

[Caol Ila]

They have been sharing my TreeFree Tor and they both like it. But it’s a pain in days that I find a rider for Fin and they go out together. Trying to find something I know will work for hacking Hermosa but won’t cost ££££££, because youngsters.

Maya suggested looking at used Torsions and Barefoots as well. I guess I know Treefrees work, so starting there.

 

[Caol Ila]

Dither, waffle, dither. Have about an hour to make a decision.

 

[Alwaysmoretoknow]

Hip to knee measurement for saddle size in length. Other factors may signify in seat width and flap design.

 

[Caol Ila]

Well, I took a punt. My TreeFree is 16” and feels generous. If I can’t live wit, it can go back on eBay.

 

[sbloom]

Hip to knee measurement for saddle size in length. Other factors may signify in seat width and flap design.

That's only one way of fitting a saddle to a rider, and one small dimension. And often leaves tall, slim riders in huge seats with very forward stirrup bars, so more likely to be in a chair seat. Finding a seat, panel and flap that enables the thigh to drop better is the ultimate way to gain space for the rider. If fitting "traditionally" then I'd go more on hip size, and adapt the flap for a long thigh, fitting to pelvis shape and size is the ultimate and unrelated to either.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

It's this thing.

Lightweight Treefree Exmoor Saddle Small 15" Black | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Lightweight Treefree Exmoor Saddle Small 15" Black at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

I had one of these! They are excellent little saddles and are handmade in Devon (my County!) by Johan and Andrea Ulvedes of Viking saddlery.

They also do the "Tor Ryder" saddles which are absolutely fantastic and easily the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat in.

I had a 17" Exmoor Treefree. It was a little large for my 12.2hh Exmoor I had on loan at the time, but it was OK'ish. Sort of. It was fine on my 15hh cob which is who I bought it for, and I did use it on my 13.2hh coblet as a riding-on saddle but as she's short-backed it really wasn't the best fit for her.

So I tried a 16" Treefree Exmoor which I bought from a friend. It was WAY way way too small!! For me. Fitted the pony OK, but it was more like a cub saddle and wasn't anything like suitable! I am 5'3 and am nine-and-a-half stone.

I think you will find OP that this 15" Exmoor Treefree will be way too small for you. That is my honest opinion. I think you would find it miniscule and only suitable for a child TBH. Apparently because they are hand-made from scratch all of the Treefree saddles can be, shall we say, unpredictable in the sizing of them! Unfortunate fact. But they are damn good little treeless saddles and also Johan and Andrea have a Royal Appointment now as they are tasked with repairing the side-saddles for the Royal Mews! This doesn't surprise me, they are good at their jobs and this is very well deserved. I've had excellent after-sales support from them too.

Hope this helps. Please feel free to PM me.

 

[suestowford]

If it doesn't work out OP, and you end up looking for something else, I know someone who is selling a fairly new Torsion saddle, bigger than that one. It's being sold with an Equitex pad & a girth and is £400 for the lot.

 

[stangs]

I had one of these! They are excellent little saddles and are handmade in Devon (my County!) by Johan and Andrea Ulvedes of Viking saddlery.

They also do the "Tor Ryder" saddles which are absolutely fantastic and easily the most comfortable saddle I've ever sat in.

I had a 17" Exmoor Treefree. It was a little large for my 12.2hh Exmoor I had on loan at the time, but it was OK'ish. Sort of. It was fine on my 15hh cob which is who I bought it for, and I did use it on my 13.2hh coblet as a riding-on saddle but as she's short-backed it really wasn't the best fit for her.

So I tried a 16" Treefree Exmoor which I bought from a friend. It was WAY way way too small!! For me. Fitted the pony OK, but it was more like a cub saddle and wasn't anything like suitable! I am 5'3 and am nine-and-a-half stone.

I think you will find OP that this 15" Exmoor Treefree will be way too small for you. That is my honest opinion. I think you would find it miniscule and only suitable for a child TBH. Apparently because they are hand-made from scratch all of the Treefree saddles can be, shall we say, unpredictable in the sizing of them! Unfortunate fact. But they are damn good little treeless saddles and also Johan and Andrea have a Royal Appointment now as they are tasked with repairing the side-saddles for the Royal Mews! This doesn't surprise me, they are good at their jobs and this is very well deserved. I've had excellent after-sales support from them too.

Hope this helps. Please feel free to PM me.

Can I ask what size you are? Friend is looking at a 17in Dartmoor for her 14.2 cob but is worried it might be too big.