Easytrek treeless saddles

[AutumnDays]

Morning all, hope you are well...

Does anyone have any experience with the aforementioned saddles? Specifically the comfort version, which is supposedly great for hard to fit natives? I have just sold my traditional treed saddle, due to mare ever changing shape (getting thinner, we are losing weight!), and was pointed in the direction of these as a replacement, given that there is no fitting required (the adjust to your horse, apparently?!), and her having huge shoulder movement and a forward girth groove making saddle fitting a nightmare! It's either this, bareback or no riding at all ever again!
Many thanks

 

[webble]

I've asked in writing a few times how these are constructed and fitted and each time I get told to call a mob number. I might be cynical but seems odd they can't put anything in writing the way other treeless companies do

 

[MuddyMonster]

I see a lot come up for second hand and combined with not very much information out there, it put me off trying them.

I went with another treeless brand for my native with a forward girth groove & we both absolutely love it. They were very open about their process and offered a great trial service.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I have not heard any good reports of them! Have heard they are a bit of a "rubbish saddle".........

Re. treeless saddles in general; as one who rides treeless, I would suggest that you really need to try a few first before you commit to purchase!!

A treeless saddle needs as much care as fitting as a treed saddle; as there is potential to do a LOT of damage if not correctly fitted!! Particular damage may occur where the stirrup-bars sit, as in a treed saddle the weight-bearing of the rider is diffused throughout the tree, whereas on a treed saddle it is easy to get pressure points where the bars lie on the back. Additionally, if you are using a treeless with interchangeable gullets, the "paddle" end of the gullet can press into the shoulder if too narrow and be very uncomfortable; or conversely if the gullet is too wide then it can press down onto the withers area and similarly cause discomfort.

If you are committed to going treeless then may I point you in the direction of the Better Saddles website as there are a few companies on there who will let you try their saddles. I can personally recommend the TreeFree Tor; I have one of their saddles and it is lovely!! Made in my home county of Devon, it has a much narrower twist than a lot of treeless saddles. When I tried theirs out it was about £50 for the week if I recall but that was a good few years ago. They also do the Exmoor (has knee rolls and you can choose where the girth groove goes) and the Dartmoor (no knee rolls). These saddles are beautifully hand-crafted and the back-up service I've been given has been excellent particularly when my youngster started changing shape!

You can hire a Port Lewis Impression Pad from the Better Saddles website which will tell you if there is pressure coming from any area of the saddle; a very useful piece of it!

There are other brands: Heather Moffatt does treeless saddles. I tried both the Phoenix and the Vogue but disliked them! Also the FlexEE which was frankly awful as you apparently had to wait 10 mins for the dang thing to "warm up" which is when it was supposed to actually fit! That was the worst saddle I've ever ridden in! But some people swear by them.

Barefoot are a good brand, however if you've a chunky cob they're not ideal as they do put you quite wide. Torsion also a good brand and are really comfy to ride in; one of my cobs is currently being ridden in this and I've done a fair bit of mileage in it without any problems.

I did try a FreeForm one; they are very padded and initially feel very comfy; however after about an hour's riding in them I found that my lower back was feeling achey and I don't think it supported me (or the horse either) terribly well.

I just throw this into the pot, but you may also consider something a little more "different" such as the Total Contact Saddle (TCS). They have a FB page which might interest you. I bought one but haven't ridden in it very much as a friend has pinched it for her green Arab! She swears by it!! I found it irritated my "lady bits" a tad, and I started using it underneath a Christ Lamfelle sheepskin......... you used to be able to trial a TCS but since lockdown they've had problems sourcing the leather for the saddles so think you have to buy; however you do sometimes see them on Preloved or E-bay - but having said that, not a lot!! Which says a lot really as people are obviously hanging on to them! Anyway.......... I mention this as this is another avenue you might like to explore!

All I would implore you is to PLEEZE don't go onto e-bay and buy the cheap-and-cheerful treeless saddles you'll immediately see there for about £75, as they will be made in India and will be total rubbish! Worse than that, they may actually harm their horse as these sorts of cheapie saddles have been found to contain stuff like carpet tacks, polystyrene leftover packing, tin cans and other junk! Seriously.

Hope this has been helpful.

 

[teddypops]

I have an easytrek saddle but it’s the one that looks like a traditional GP. It’s fine, my Connie is very sensitive to everything and so far it’s the only saddle she is happy in. I don’t think their older saddles were up to much from what I’ve read, but have improved in recent years. If you are on Facebook, there are some treeless saddle groups where you will get some more knowledge people!

 

[AutumnDays]

Thank you guys, that's been very helpful... I couldn't find much info on them, and what you have said might explain why!
@MiJodsR2BlinkinTite: thank you very much for taking the time to write that! I have looked at the TC saddles, and at the Christ Lamfelle pads too... I have also been very taken in by the bareback pads made by a company called Buck You... I may lean more towards that route, as due to my own pain and confirmation issues, I don't really ride that often, just like a little bumble now and again to break up the in hand adventures, so comfort for both is key!

 

[sbloom]

I would recommend the Lamfelle pad over the TCS, I know loads of people love and rate the latter but I have a bodyworker friend who sees trouble every time she sees a horse ridden in one.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I have not heard any good reports of them! Have heard they are a bit of a "rubbish saddle".........

Re. treeless saddles in general; as one who rides treeless, I would suggest that you really need to try a few first before you commit to purchase!!

A treeless saddle needs as much care as fitting as a treed saddle; as there is potential to do a LOT of damage if not correctly fitted!! Particular damage may occur where the stirrup-bars sit, as in a treed saddle the weight-bearing of the rider is diffused throughout the tree, whereas on a treed saddle it is easy to get pressure points where the bars lie on the back. Additionally, if you are using a treeless with interchangeable gullets, the "paddle" end of the gullet can press into the shoulder if too narrow and be very uncomfortable; or conversely if the gullet is too wide then it can press down onto the withers area and similarly cause discomfort.

If you are committed to going treeless then may I point you in the direction of the Better Saddles website as there are a few companies on there who will let you try their saddles. I can personally recommend the TreeFree Tor; I have one of their saddles and it is lovely!! Made in my home county of Devon, it has a much narrower twist than a lot of treeless saddles. When I tried theirs out it was about £50 for the week if I recall but that was a good few years ago. They also do the Exmoor (has knee rolls and you can choose where the girth groove goes) and the Dartmoor (no knee rolls). These saddles are beautifully hand-crafted and the back-up service I've been given has been excellent particularly when my youngster started changing shape!

You can hire a Port Lewis Impression Pad from the Better Saddles website which will tell you if there is pressure coming from any area of the saddle; a very useful piece of it!

There are other brands: Heather Moffatt does treeless saddles. I tried both the Phoenix and the Vogue but disliked them! Also the FlexEE which was frankly awful as you apparently had to wait 10 mins for the dang thing to "warm up" which is when it was supposed to actually fit! That was the worst saddle I've ever ridden in! But some people swear by them.

Barefoot are a good brand, however if you've a chunky cob they're not ideal as they do put you quite wide. Torsion also a good brand and are really comfy to ride in; one of my cobs is currently being ridden in this and I've done a fair bit of mileage in it without any problems.

I did try a FreeForm one; they are very padded and initially feel very comfy; however after about an hour's riding in them I found that my lower back was feeling achey and I don't think it supported me (or the horse either) terribly well.

I just throw this into the pot, but you may also consider something a little more "different" such as the Total Contact Saddle (TCS). They have a FB page which might interest you. I bought one but haven't ridden in it very much as a friend has pinched it for her green Arab! She swears by it!! I found it irritated my "lady bits" a tad, and I started using it underneath a Christ Lamfelle sheepskin......... you used to be able to trial a TCS but since lockdown they've had problems sourcing the leather for the saddles so think you have to buy; however you do sometimes see them on Preloved or E-bay - but having said that, not a lot!! Which says a lot really as people are obviously hanging on to them! Anyway.......... I mention this as this is another avenue you might like to explore!

All I would implore you is to PLEEZE don't go onto e-bay and buy the cheap-and-cheerful treeless saddles you'll immediately see there for about £75, as they will be made in India and will be total rubbish! Worse than that, they may actually harm their horse as these sorts of cheapie saddles have been found to contain stuff like carpet tacks, polystyrene leftover packing, tin cans and other junk! Seriously.

Hope this has been helpful.

Ditto this.

I'd also throw Equine Whispers into the mix as someone to trial saddles from too. I can't fault their customer service, fitting help & I love the Ghost treeless saddle I've ended up with after extensive trialling (I had a trial saddle for at least 3-4 weeks and really was encouraged to do lots in it!).

 

[Fransurrey]

I bought one of the GP-like ones two years ago, as my hips struggled with my new cob in the Thorn, but it didn't fit him. It might do now, as he's changed shape (he was 5), but at the time it bridged on his back. I followed the short rides advice, to allow it to shape, but it never did - I ended up selling it on and he needed physio for tight muscles. I went back to my Thorn pad and the next physio visit he was all clear again. The quality of it seemed quite good for a lower end treeless, but the idea that it shapes to everything is utter nonsense. Thankfully I was paying attention and stopped using it after only a few short rides.

 

[Follysmum]

I have 2 friends that have them and are really happy with them. Both had them checked by a saddler and seem to be a good fit. Both are natives and do long distance riding. Personally I hate treeless but everyone has their own views on them.