Going from treeless to treed saddle

[Happytohack]

Anyone gone back to a treed saddle after using a treeless? I have been using a Torsion on my new mare but it doesn't really suit her - had the saddler out who fitted a GFS elite which seemed to fit her perfectly, but she is obviously not comfortable in it (stride has become choppy, reluctance to move forward freely, etc.) so I am wondering what to try next. Any advice would be great.

 

[claire1976]

Obviously you have to go with what suits your horse and yourself. I have been riding treeless for 3 years and would never go back to a treed saddle with my current mare. But that's because it suits her ever changing shape and I like to feel of riding the horse not the saddle.
You seem to be saying the Torsion doesn't suit and neither does the GFS, so not sure what to suggest really!!

 

[0ldmare]

Can I ask why doesnt the Torsion suit your horse?

 

[PapaFrita]

Sorry if I sound thick, but what's a GFS saddle? Thanks

 

[fairhill]

It's just the name of the manufacturer - fieldhouse, I think.

 

[rcm_73]

I think the treeless saddles definately free up the shoulder so the horse can stride out more. I have a GFS and a treeless saddle, I keep the GFS for my TB as although she likes the treeless & doesn't pull faces at me when I girth her(!) I find it difficult to do anything more than a walk in on her as she is so lively I need somethong to get my knee into! Your horse will probably feel quite strange going back to a treed saddle at first but I suppose you just have to judge which she goes best in and which you feel safest with.

 

[Happytohack]

I have an old Torsion that I have had for 8 years - it is really worn now and the flaps & back are very thin and it is very "down" on her back. I did get a new Torsion but the pommel was narrower than on my old one and the Torsion slipped backwards. Yes it does feel strange riding in a treed saddle again, but I do feel a lot more secure! She is a sweet mare, but is very grumpy with the new saddle - not so with the old Torsion, but she was with the new version.

 

[Bosworth]

I suspect that although the treed saddle appears to fit it probably doesn't and is restricting her shoulder. She should be able to work just as freely in a treed saddle as a treeles, provided, and it is a major caveat, the treed saddle is the correct shape for her. I would try a few more treed saddles before you dismiss it as an idea. Ideals, and Saddle company are two that spring to mind as being moe suitable than some of the others.

She should not be grumpy in a saddle just because it has a tree

 

[timeandchance]

Poor Ella!

Although, from what I heard from you this afternoon it may well, with a bit of luck, be sorted when the saddler comes out next! Like the above post mentioned though.....she's a big girl down her shoulders...maybe she just needs a saddle more accomodating to that...just like we sometimes need a certain outfit more accomodating to us!!

 

[Happytohack]

Good advice Bosworth. The saddler who fitted the Fieldhouse is coming out again next Tuesday. She is a big mare and has a big shoulder so the new saddle could well be restricting her as you suggest.

 

[timeandchance]

[ QUOTE ]
Good advice Bosworth. The saddler who fitted the Fieldhouse is coming out again next Tuesday. She is a big mare and has a big shoulder so the new saddle could well be restricting her as you suggest.

[/ QUOTE ]

I dunno about big shoulder J...heh big all over more like...but she's a a lubbly girlie!

 

[mrussell]

(God I feel boring but I have to say it...)

Have you tried a WOW? I tried a Balance saddle as normal saddles exerted to much point pressure but felt unstable. So I then went for a FreenEasy (similar to a Reactorpanel) which was fine bit kept moving to the right. Then began the treeless era - Dartmoor, Freeform, Fheonix..... they would all be fine for a while but I had to accept that they limited what I could do and werent really working.

In the end out of desperation I tried a WOW....and WOW.

Wouldnt ever be without it.

 

[Patches]

What about a saddle co saddle? More of a conventional saddle from a rider's point of view but their trees are flexible.

 

[PoppyPony]

go to www.bettersaddles.co.uk and go to the mondial industries holistic supreme saddle. I have one and it is fantastic. I think the idea is that it is semi-treed (or even treeless i'm not 100% sure) but looks and feels completely conventional. They will fit any/most horses and my horse (and several others at my old yard, and my instructor's horse) goes beautifully in it. It is worth paying that bit extra because they don't need reflocking. big big recommendation from me.

 

[Petalpoos]

At last, found someone else who has a Mondial to swap notes with! How long have you had it? I bought an 18" GP in the summer, but found I had to make the leathers really long before it was comfortable enough, but I wonder how it will be when I start to jump (I have a youngster) as my knees are right on the edge of the knee rolls! My horse seems to like it though, which is, I suppose, the main thing.

 

[SueAllen]

I am really pleased to have found this post - just what I was going to ask about. I have a HM treeless saddle which I love and it was recommended by my horse physio. However, my instructor has proved to me how much better a treed dressage saddle is for my flatwork and I think also I have discovered the limits of the treeless for jumping. I am thinking of getting a suitable treed saddle - if only I can work out how to afford 2 saddles for one horse (along with the 7 rugs for one horse, 4 (!!!) bridles for one horse, 3 head collars for one horse - PLEASE don't anyone show this to my husband - I'll book in for some therapy soon - honest!!!) Your comments about the WOW and Mondial are really interesting - I'll take a look

 

[Petalpoos]

By the way... the Mondial is only semi treeless. It has rigid 'tree elements' across the pommel and cantle, but nothing in between. It looks just like a convential saddle, albeit one where you can squeeze the cantle and pommel toward each other. It is comfortable once you adjust your position to suit it and it has never left any marks on my horse's back, but I am still being a bit cautious, possibly because of how much it cost!

 

[PaddyMonty]

Second vote for the WOW. Having got one recently for my lad I can hand on heart say I will never use any other saddle again.
The difference in his freedom of movement and my comfort is unbelieveable