Treeless for a first saddle?

[Nudibranch]

I know the treeless vs treed is an everlasting debate but I wondered what opinions were on using them as a backing/first saddle?

I borrowed a Torsion a few years ago, I loved it although it didn't really suit my super-high withered TB. I have a colt who'll eventually be ready to back and when he is, I wonder whether treeless might be a good option? He should have fairly "normal" confo as a sports horse, and it might make fitting a lot less problematic as he develops and builds topline.

Or does that seem a really daft idea?!

 

[spaniel]

Please dont!

Im probably stating the bleeding obvious to you but unless you plan to always be treeless I cant see it being a good idea. There will come a point where someone will pop a treed saddle on your horse in the future and it could all go pearshaped very quickly! The other niggle I have is that i have seen any number of less expensive 'treeless' saddles over the years (the ones most people seem to buy) and they are horrendous on some horses withers.

Much as I also dont care much for synthetic treed saddles I would be much more inclined to spend out on an adjustable one for a first saddle and accustom a horse to the feeling of that.

 

[Mitchyden]

I'd have to disagree with you Spaniel. I've backed three horses with treeless saddles and then when they got to five, I bought them normal saddles. I've never had any problems changing from one to the other.

At least while they are growing you don't have to worry about them changing shape and the saddle not fitting.

 

[Kenzo]

I don't see what difference it makes, so long as what you use, fits securely and it comfortable for the horse. Once a horse accepts something on it's back then the job is done, be it saddle, lunge rollar, people riding bare back, rugs...they don't tend to change there mind depending on what you put on, not in my experiance anyway.

Don't be fooled that treeless saddles are an easier option to fit than a treed saddle, if you are using a treeless saddle on a daily basis doing varied flatwork, the more money you spend on a treeless, the better quality and fit you will acheive so long as you use the right pad and various bits of equitment to go with that paricular treeless saddle, you also have to keep an close things, often altering the shims (if is shim type treeless pad is used) and be prepaired to spend money on different pads, also select the correct pommel block (if it's the sort that comes with a changable pommel blocks).

Personally, for what it will cost to buy a good quality treeless saddle, I'd prefer to buy a good quality synthetic tree'd saddle, like a Thorowgood for example, if you are planning to use a traditional saddle on them in the future all the time, not because the horse will feel a lot of difference, basically just because you'd have to spend more on a treeless, some fit certain types better, if your not going to use it all the time, it's a bit of a waste just using it for backing, that's just my thoughts.

 

[Tinypony]

I backed two in a Dartmoor Treefree and wouldn't hesitate to back horses in a good quality treeless again. I don't actually own any treed saddles at the moment anyway.
Yes, if you decide to try a treed saddle at a later date it might make sense to just check out that the horse still feels comfortable. If they didn't then I'd be wondering about the fit of the saddle.

 

[Nudibranch]

Hmm, some interesting points made, thanks everyone.

My main reason for thinking treeless to start was that I may well end up going treeless anyway; I did like the Torsion and found it really comfortable. Food for thought though. I don't see why changing from treed to treeless or vice versa should be an issue if both are properly fitted but I've got plenty of time to think about it!

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I backed my haffie in a Dartmoor treefree and bought that secondhand, after a while I introduced a treed Thorowgood cob saddle and she didnt even notice the change.

I reckon its easier to get a horse to change over later than it is to ride a horse whose treed saddle doesnt fit but which you cant afford to keep changing as often as it needs it!

Do recommend getting a v good treeless like the Dartmoor than one of the cheaper ones, it was a beautiful saddle. I resold it as decided I was going to ride treed and sold it to someone who wanted it for backing too.

So if money is limited get a treed synthetic new saddle with adjustable gullet (as thats also readily resellable) and a used good treeless to cover all options. But I wouldnt worry about just using the treeless and then switching either.