treed vs treeless saddles

G

gally

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 September 2006
Messages
324
Visit site
my boy has been off work for a while with a bad back and we have now got the stage where he can start ridden work again. Have got the saddler coming out on monday to try and fit a saddle to him (he is a very porky 13.2hh NF). He is very round atm and i am trying my best to keep his weight down, he is also quite short backed too. He does change shape quite drastically (is a fatty in the summer but looses weight very easily in the winter). Was thinking of getting him an adjustable saddle.

The physio who has been treating him is very keen for me to get him a treeless saddle as she thinks it will be better for him. I obviously will be having the saddler out and regular physios but was just wondering what your views are.

We do a bit of everything really, SJ to 1m (but does push up to 1.10/1.20 occassionally) ish, XC, was planning on doing some small eventing with him, dressage and lots of hacking. I have had a look at some treeless saddles and im just not sure they look very secure (and i don't wanna do splat jumping 1.10!)

Would love to hear your views and if any of you do have treeless i would like to hear how you find them

Pimms to all that got this far, thanks
 
If you do a search on here you'll find loads of views on treeless.

My personal view is that they suit some horses and riders but not others so it's best to try before you buy to make sure it's good for your horse and you. Also, as with all things, you do tend to get what you pay for so it's worth going for one of the more reputable brands.
 
I have my rotund fjord in a ghost treeless, which we both love. He changes shape daily, so it is good to have the flexibility. I have jumped in it as well, no problem. Echo above though, try a few out (most will let you have a trial) and see if you can find one that suits you both.
 
I have a treeless for my very flat round Fell mare, and I love it! I have never felt so secure on her - even when she has a dicky fit - and would neverr go back to a tree'd saddle for her....however I ride a cobby type for clients at work, and have tried my treeless on her with no success, she is very upright in the shoulder, and it was uncomfortable trying to ride her treeless. Not that it is much more comfortable in a tree'd! haha!!
Why dont you ask your saddler/friend/local tack shop if you can try a treeless on your boy, you can usually try before you buy with brands like Torsion. I have a Robinsons treeless, and can recommend it as very hardwearing and comfy, but Id get a decent torsion numnah to go with it, the Robinsons ones arent the most padded. Good luck xx
 
I went treeless after having fitting problems on my big shouldered, short backed, sprung ribbed, forward girth grooved horse. I went through so many saddles whilst he changed shape as he was still growing, even tried the M2M but he just didn't like the restriction of a treed saddle.

I bought a barefoot london off preloved as a last resort and have never looked back! He loved it and he was so much better in his work. It did hurt my hips as no twist to the saddle but hip savers can be purchased. I then bought a Heather Moffett fhoenix dressage saddle as I wanted something more conventional lloking for shows and I can say I love it and it is so comfy for both of us. I no longer have to worry about him changing shape and the saddle comes with different shims and panels to adjust if he changes shape quite a lot. It can be used with a normal hi wither numnah rather than a special treeless saddle pad.

I do recommend you trial any saddle your thinking about before you buy as all saddles don't fit all and you may find it uncomfortable too. Good luck in the saddle hunt.:)
 
thanks for your replies, was wondering do any of you guys jump in them and if so how do you find it and also could you post a pic please

thanks again
 
I have jumped in mine Gally, but only about a foot as I havent jumped in years, and dont think mels ever has! haha! I know someone who does fun rides and such, and happily jumps xc style fences in hers. I dont think theres any reason why you cant...
 
I have started doing a little jumping in mine, but there are no pics of me jumping yet!

Here's a couple of us doing some showing with the dressage seat on:
P1000986.jpg

Please ignore my awful legs!

And one with the normal seat on, which I jump with:
readytogo.jpg


I have some better pics somewhere, but these will maybe give you an idea! I have a Mattes gold numnah under the saddle.
 
thanks for your replies guys, can i ask what makes your saddles are, i was looking at the dream team saddle and did look at the solution saddle (but my bank balance def disagreed with that one!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top