Treeless dilemma

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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OK so here's the problem: my traddy cob is really hard to fit and a good secondhand saddle which fits him is like finding hen's teeth (where are all the secondhand saddles?); soooooo, I'm thinking of going treeless.

We've tried the Barefoot Cherokee: he liked it and went well in it, much more engagement from his hocks, noticeabley going better: BUT after riding in it for about an hour, the next day my lower back/hip area was quite sore. Also the big no-no for me is a dressage girth as Himself always puffs himself up like a puffa-fish and needs girths tightening ten minutes into riding or else they are in LOOPS!!!

So ..... I've looked at the Heather Moffett Phoenix - like the look of it but not the price! Have also thought about Torsion, but not tried one.

What I want is something that more resembles a traditional saddle, i.e. with good knee support (which wasn't there in the Barefoot); plus a traditional girthing system not dressage girth which you can't tighten when mounted (big drawback); plus I really want to be able to have a trial period first before buying to see if its suitable (at which point I'd get a saddle fitter out just to make sure).

There's the "Exmoor" and "Dartmoor" treeless saddles, made by someone called Tom Widdecombe who's based at Buckfastleigh in Devon: if anyone has any feedback on these saddles, particularly the "Exmoor" - I'd be very interested. PM me if you'd rather.

IF I could get a good secondhand saddle, I'd probably go for that; but no-one seems to be fitting second-hand any more, and if they do they're naff. I'm in East Devon by the way if anyone has any ideas of someone local. A friend had the saddler from Wychanger to do her horses and we were impressed by him, took a look of trouble and was very professional; but again, their stock of second hand is limited and new is gonna cost too much at the mo.

Hope someone has some feedback/ideas. Must have's: traditional girthing system, plus trial period.
 
Damn. You're too far away for my fab saddler :(

I was looking at the Barnsby saddles. They do one called the Haflinger for the more flat backed horse. Maybe worth trying to track down one of those?

Failing that, Friend has a Morris and Nolan one made for her Big Cob and that's grand :D
 
Sorry I can't recommend a second-hand saddler, but if you ask in your area (maybe do another post with that title?) someone will come up with a recommendation I am sure.

Regarding the treeless, if you have tried the HM and like it, why not look for that second hand? The price should be a lot more reasonable.

Sorry to be dim but why can't you do up a dressage girth in any kind of saddle?
 
Hi. I have bought second hand saddles from http://www.hoopersaddles.com/ Jodi travels to me in Cullompton so I'm sure she would come to you. Personally I'm not sure about treeless saddles as there is weight on the horses spine. I have a Kent and Masters cob saddle which is the leather version of Thorowgood. Saffy is very wide and these saddles have a changeable gullet so hopefully I won't have to buy another saddle for a long time! I think Jodi sells the Kent and Masters saddles so you could ask her, I got mine second hand and got her to come and fit it. She is very good with cobs as she rides cobs herself.
 
Ihave a Heather Mofat Phoenix which I plan to sell ,but I live in Surrey ,so that is a long way for you to trial it . I plan to join their forum and advertise it there .It is an 18 inch gp
 
all treeless saddles will have a dressage girth system due to the way they are made - no tree so have to anchor further down. Also usually softer leather (esp HM) and you would feel it thru flap - I had had a HM one in the past and it was lovely but unless you get a newer style one you will still feel stretched as the 'twist' in a treeless saddle is much wider than a treed saddle. The HM ones are nice, they last and hold price. If buying a treeless i would recomend one of those, but if you have issues with dressage girths stick to treed - also treeless you have to tighten slighter more on a rounder horse as in my experience they slip sideways more. I sold mine as it was sitting on her withers and although they say as its 'soft treed' that it wont cause harm she was sore there - got a saddler with a huge range of saddles, fitted my horse and she was instantly more comfortable, - i have stuck to treed since.
 
The Dartmoor Treefree and Exmoor aren't made by Tom any more, but he did design them. I had a Treefree and it was brilliant, but I'm not sure if position-wise it would help you if you struggled with the Barefoot. Myabe contact someone like Better Saddles, who sell a range and will hire out saddles so that you can try before you buy.
They are agents for the HM saddles, and she is bringing out a budget saddle very soon.
 
totally not related, but im going to be selling my lads saddle, which i would think would fit your lad.

its a gp English leather and iver measured it at 11 inches d ring to d ring, its a 17 inch.

would it be any good? you would be welcome to try it on yrs and i need to sell my Kieffer first.
 
I think they all have the dressage girthing system. It is something you get used to though. I can do mine up before I get on so it doesn't need adjusting. It's never slipped even when mounting from the ground which I only do in extreme situations (not a pretty sight). I have the hm phoenix I still can't do it up from on board even after 5 years. I blame old age and arthritis lol.
 
Sorry what I meant is, why do people have a problem doing a dressage girth up from on top of the horse? I am not being snooty, just wondering! You do have to bend a bit but it's not end of the world, unless of couse someone has a medical reason they can't do the movement.
 
What about a Solution saddle? They are treeless but look quite 'normal'. They will rent you one to try.

I've no personal experience of the saddles but saw them at Burghley last year where they had a Stand
 
IMO the heather Moffett ones are the best and they hold their price very well, a friend of mine had one of the Tom Widdecombe saddles (although not sure which style) and she rated it very highly, Tom is very approachable and I'm sure if you contacted him he'd be happy to advise.

These's some info on the Enlightened Equitation site/forum about pressure tests done on treeless saddles which is worth looking at too.
 
a) I have an ideal saddle Highland and Cob that I need to sell that may well fit (ridiculously wide!) - they're adjustable too.

b) the cheaper 'saddle pad' treeless' like the the Barefoot and Torsion do feel horribly wide and give you sore hips. However if the horse really liked it try them with the heather moffet Hip Saver, which might solve your problem.

If that doesn't work have a look at the Freeform saddles (and the Acavallo version on ebay are decent too) as they have much more of a twist to them. I have a freeform and really like it, but hate Barefoot type treeless.

Alternatively keep an eye out for second hand Heather Moffett saddles on ebay: you could sometimes get them for under #500. I would suggest trialing one first though and they don't suit all horses (there's a variety of different panel types avalible) and some people don't like riding in them either (me!)
 
I would also suggest a solution saddle. You can get some 2nd hand good quality ones on eBay for much less than original price. They are traditional looking and there's a wide range of knee rolls/ thigh blocks you can add if you need more support. They also have a gullet so do not sit on horses spine. Would not recommend the 'smart' range, only the original solutions- the gp, freestyle, jumper and energist.
Good luck finding something soon!
 
I also recommend Jodi from Hoopers, she is very approachable and a damn good saddle fitter (Jodi if you are reading this can I have discount next time you visit!!). I use a HM Phoenix saddle and - yes they are expensive - but you would never need another saddle, it is pretty much "one saddle fits all"! I ride in both, a HM and a "made to measure by Jodi saddle" the HM is left over from a pony we sold
 
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