tree or treeless - what is your opinion?

[kcgibson]

ok, so i know this has prob been discussed a million and one times but i would like everyone's opinion on what you think about the tree/treeless debate. I have tried both and find both quite comfortable, although i did find that the treeless allowed me to fall forwards more easily when my horse pulled on the reins but then i feel i would be less likely to fall off in a treeless. so there are pros and cons of both for me. What i am concerned about is the pressure that must be allowed to be exerted on the spine. The spine is weak and this is why treed saddles allow for clearance, but treeless dont do they? i have had mixed reveiws from people i know and i know Your Horse mag ran a little trial for 8 months and neither of the testers were happy overall. My other concern is that as treeless havent been around that long (as we know them today), we have not seen seen the effects of long term use on our horses. If anyone can cast any light on the matter or if anyone has done a 'trial' of their own, i would be very grateful to hear from you!

Many thanks!

 

[kerilli]

i had one of the treeless prototypes for a couple of weeks, to try alongside the treed saddle made by the same manufacturer. my top horse went identically in both... i had sessions of swapping saddles every 10 mins and couldn't feel any difference at all, so decided to stick with the one i have, and save £1000+.

i don't think the spine is weak, cos riding bareback doesn't do it any harm... i just think it never needed a wooden tree or anything solid pushing down on it.
i agree, not sure about long-term effects. i'd like to try a treeless jump but am worried about lateral stability and my weight coming down hard on the front of the horse down a big drop, say.
still a lot of questions. the number of treeless ("one saddle for life! fits every horse you'll ever own!") on ebay is interesting...

 

[Theresa_F]

In June I bought a treeless saddle for Chancer as he is a young cob (3) and I wanted to avoid numerous saddles in a short period of time as he is growing so fast. I bought the correct pad and the latest model which does have spine clearance - the Barefoot London.

Personally I love my treeless. Chancer goes well in it, and everyone who has sat on it has comment how comfortable it is.

The big point for me, is that I also tried it on Cairo, the old clydesdale and he goes so well in it - far more forward going, rounding and generally a very happy horse. I now switch the saddle between them. It is also very light.

I may later purchase one of the more expensive conventional looking models for showing Chancer, but I do think I am probably going to stay with treeless for him.

I would avoid some of the real cheapies you see, at the end of the day you get what you pay for. Barefoot is the cheaper end of the good quality saddles - mine with the pad, girth, dressage leathers, cover and postage was £550.

 

[flyingfeet]

I think it largely depends what you want to do with your horse.

On the whole the peopple that buy treeless tend to be happy hackers (please don't shoot me!). You don't often see treeless saddles in competition horses as they are just not suitable.

 

[Tinypony]

Apart from the Ansur/Solutions saddles and the ones by Heather Moffat of course... They are becoming more common among competetive dressage riders, but I'm not sure you'd always notice them being used.
I went treeless because of the problems fitting a saddle to my big cob. I didn't realise how uncomfortable he was in his professionally fitted treed saddle until I tried a Bob Marshal treeless I was lent. He moved out so freely I just couldn't put his treed saddle back on.
I think you need to be careful what you buy. Personally I'd now avoid those with solid blocks front and back. I now have a Freeform and a Sensation. I find both very stable to ride in, but I don't mount from the ground (I wouldn't anyway, for my horse and because my hips are knackered). I'm not a great one for jumping, but I know people who jump in a Freeform with no problems. The Sensation is more of a hacking/endurance type of saddle. However, my Arab is extremely athletic and can get into some interesting shapes around things he finds scarey, and I've found both saddles very secure in some very insecure situations. Hope that helps.