Treefree Exmoor saddle...

[AutumnDays]

After a couple of years of physio and other treatments, we (as in me, and the two gg's) have been cleared to build up to light hacking work ongoing! I've seen a TreeFree Exmoor saddle for sale, and am considering it as we'll only be bumbling about once or twice a week eventually. My question is, can you ride in them without the pommel inserts? I'm unsure what sizes would be needed, and wondered if the are necessary. It's also a 17" seat and I'm 5'10", do they seat the same as traditional saddles? Thanks

 

[CarlungM]

We have one for when the other saddles are in use. You can buy a soft pommel for them . You do need a quality treeless saddle pad too. Not much twist to them.
It stays stable and my Highland is okay in it for short pootles. I prefer my others but it's a great spare and no back issues as he is checked regularly.
My husband is over 6 foot and rides in the 17 inch seat.

 

[Caol Ila]

I use a Treefree Exmoor on my Highland. I've been using it or maybe two and a half years now. It fits him well. No issues. And we've been known to do 3-4 hour rides.

Like every other saddle on the planet, they don't fit every horse. I tried making Treefree saddles (I own two...the other one is a Tor) fit my PRE after I backed her, and it wouldn't work for love nor money. Just the wrong shape for that horse, no matter what I did. It was always really tight around her shoulders, the balance was all wrong, and the damn thing wouldn't stop sliding forwards. None of these issues on the Highland.

I own all three pommel inserts made by Treefree, plus a Barefoot soft one. Whether or not the soft one fits depends on your horse. We tried it on a mate's horse, and the soft pommel insert was perfect for her. On the Highland, it tips the saddle and you forwards. Just feels wrong. He currently uses Treefree's medium plastic insert. The PRE decided she hated it with the soft pommel more than she hated it with the hard one, which was saying something.

 

[AutumnDays]

I use a Treefree Exmoor on my Highland. I've been using it or maybe two and a half years now. It fits him well. No issues. And we've been known to do 3-4 hour rides.

Like every other saddle on the planet, they don't fit every horse. I tried making Treefree saddles (I own two...the other one is a Tor) fit my PRE after I backed her, and it wouldn't work for love nor money. Just the wrong shape for that horse, no matter what I did. It was always really tight around her shoulders, the balance was all wrong, and the damn thing wouldn't stop sliding forwards. None of these issues on the Highland.

I own all three pommel inserts made by Treefree, plus a Barefoot soft one. Whether or not the soft one fits depends on your horse. We tried it on a mate's horse, and the soft pommel insert was perfect for her. On the Highland, it tips the saddle and you forwards. Just feels wrong. He currently uses Treefree's medium plastic insert. The PRE decided she hated it with the soft pommel more than she hated it with the hard one, which was saying something.

Thank you, this is very helpful and appreciated