Treeless on a budget

[Funkyfilly024]

My boy is typical native type, changes shape and weight easily, he currently needs a new one so make the decison to go treeless.

He is 15hh, naturally round but without the flatish back that a round cob would usually have. Regular height withers, he is section D x fell so no issue with a short back at all and not huge shoulders. Im only 5'2" and dress size 6 so rider weight is not going to be an issue as I have read it can sometimes be with a treeless.

Am very confused having looked at lots of 2nd hand and new saddles and very confliting reviews on all of them.
Would very much appreciate some recomendations?? bearing in mind im to a budget (ideally under £200 !) so a new Heather Moffet is out of the question. It also ideally not too western riding looking as I would like it to look ok to compete in.

Thanks ! Gold star to anyone who replys as treeless seems to be a very common topic!

 

[emmaln]

I understand your pain!!! I went treeless for my tb and bought her the dream team saddle and we both love it, I then decided it might be nice to go treeless with my young welshy!!! Bad idea unless you have pounds to spend! I tried 4 different types all around the £200 Mark and hated every single one, she is now in a saddle company treed saddle which we both love! It is just like buying any saddle I'm afraid, you get what you pay for, especially if you want one that looks relatively normal!

I would recommend the dream an though they retail at £500 but they often do offers I got mine for £350, don't forget you need a special pad as well and they aren't cheap, sorry!

Would he be better in a thorowgood t4 or something you can get them off eBay for about £200?

 

[Funkyfilly024]

Second hand is no issue for me by the way !
He is in a fore-mentioned at the moment and after 6months ish of it has changed shape and no longer fits, (was properly fitted then) Im not a fan of it, there is just so little moulding from synthetic.
He is typical welshie type in the changing weight way!
I would love to give him the comfort of a saddle that moulds and adjusts with him.

 

[Funkyfilly024]

Ahh, looking at one of those dream team saddles you have me wanting one of them now ! ...

 

[c2b]

I originally had a Trekker Talent for my mare. Ok at first but when we started doing more it started rubbing at the back. Didn't make her sore just took some of the hair off. So I ditched that and sold my soul. Bought a HM Phoenix. Well worth the money. 4 years on and still no problems.
My friend had a Torsion that rubbed her boy in exactly the same place as my Trekker rubbed my mare.
Lots of good things said about the Barefoot saddles no idea on price though.

 

[team barney]

My boy is typical native type, changes shape and weight easily, he currently needs a new one so make the decison to go treeless.

He is 15hh, naturally round but without the flatish back that a round cob would usually have. Regular height withers, he is section D x fell so no issue with a short back at all and not huge shoulders. Im only 5'2" and dress size 6 so rider weight is not going to be an issue as I have read it can sometimes be with a treeless.

Am very confused having looked at lots of 2nd hand and new saddles and very confliting reviews on all of them.
Would very much appreciate some recomendations?? bearing in mind im to a budget (ideally under £200 !) so a new Heather Moffet is out of the question. It also ideally not too western riding looking as I would like it to look ok to compete in.

Thanks ! Gold star to anyone who replys as treeless seems to be a very common topic!

I'd recommend going for a secondhand brand saddle rather than one of the knock off types that are for sale on ebay as I haven't heard the greatest reviews about them.

If you don't mind going western there is a treeless on preloved for £200...
http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-adverts.showadvert/index-1033640611/9619580c.html

Edited to say, I got the brand mixed up, was thinking this was a BM, ignore link I don't think they are a great brand.