Treeless Opinions please

Phoebe

Phoebe

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Hello all

Could you please give me your opinions/experiences of treeless saddles? I have a 16.2 Id x tb and looking for a new saddle. I don't have a big budget and could do with one that will suit my youngster too (I had a sit on her in one today and we both liked it). I'd like to be aware of advantages/pitfalls if possible

Thank you
 
A good quality treeless is fine, altho there are a lot of cheap nasties around.

Advantages: will fit both horses (tho take note if they tell you it doesnt mum)
very useful for backing - I backed my girl in one
easy to resell if/when no longer needed.
good for your position, at least it was for mine.

I used a treefree Dartmoor which was very well made and ultra comfy for me and horsie, both my 14.2 coblet and 17 hand IDxTB hunter loved it, esp the hunter (even tho he was 14 and had only ever been ridden in treed saddles)

Disadvantages: if cheap and nasty (or even some pricey ones) have stirrup straps that are one piece and bridge over the top of the back. Not good!! Some others like Treefree dont do this, they are properly constructed so as not to put pressure on back.
Not ideal for canter/gallop and jumping, they are designed so you ride with quite a long stirrup length.
Not always ideal for very very long endurance rides tho a lot advertise that they are, unless you are a rider who can guarantee not to start putting lots of weight in stirrups once tired
 
i have a libra treeless, first two times i rode in it thought it was awful! now getting used to it, it's very comfortable and pony seems to like it. you seem to have to girth tightly though...
and cannot mount from the ground. also it has a weight limit of 12st so i have a little weight to lose, i believe all treelesss saddles have weight limits.
 
Thank you. I think it was a Libra I tried the other day, it felt comfortable but I didnt try much in it. It had a breastplate attached too.

I've been looking at the Fhoenix... but it would need to be second hand, and even then seems expensive as I would probably need an agent to come and advise me on fit etc?

Edit - will look at the Dartmoor too...
 
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Have you considered a 'Reactor Panel' saddle? They can fit more than 1 horse and are not unlike a western saddle in build (weight spread and distribution). Not too expensive 2ndhand and comparable to the price of a good treeless
 
Phoebe said:
Thank you. I think it was a Libra I tried the other day, it felt comfortable but I didnt try much in it. It had a breastplate attached too.

I've been looking at the Fhoenix... but it would need to be second hand, and even then seems expensive as I would probably need an agent to come and advise me on fit etc?

Edit - will look at the Dartmoor too...
Click to expand...

You will need a fitter initially who can explain how to balance the saddle to fit your horse. Treeless saddles need a special treeless numnah which can be fitted with shims to make sure it is sitting correctly. It's not just a case of slapping the saddle on any horse and galloping off into the sunset! Barefoot saddles are generally considered pretty good and they have a wide choice of styles - but I would get specialist advice for the initial fitting.
 
I am a total Treeless convert and wouldn't ride mine in anything else.
I have a barefoot tahoe and love it.

http://www.barefootsaddlesusa.com/Barefoot_Tahoe_Classic_Treeless_Saddle_p/cke-classic-.htm


I broke my mare in this after trying her in a wintec (which she hated) and had no problems. She has never needed treatment by my physio (who says she has a back that is a is 'perfect' as can be for a 6 year old)

I also have a soultions jump saddle which are expensive but in my opion the best you can buy. (currently saving for a GP version! Then they barefoot will be sold, long way to go yet though!)

http://www.solution-saddles.co.uk/sssaddlesmart.html#jump
 
Thanks everyone. I am so wary of getting any fitter these days... I have wasted so much money on saddles... unbelievable.

I guess I would like to stay within a budget of £500 - £700 (gulp) and that needs to include pads and fittings.... are there specific treeless fitters then? I had no idea.
 
If you go for the solutions and buy one off ebay then you can get a fitter from solutions to come out and fit it for you (£50).

Thats what i did with my jump one as i couldn't afford £2K for a new saddle!

With a solutions you buy the size that fits you (see the website fitting guide)
http://www.solution-saddles.co.uk/sssizing.html

My Barefoot i fitted myself, bought the size that fitted me then bought the relevant fiberglass 'shaper' that sits over the withers & the saddle pad to go with it. Barefoot recommend you only use their saddlecloths.

http://www.barefootsaddlesusa.com/Articles.asp?ID=140#whatsize

http://www.barefootsaddlesusa.com/searchresults.asp?cat=34
 
I got my treeless saddle on trial from www.bettersaddles.com and then bought it so didn't pay the fee to trial it. During the trial I had a lesson on it, and got my chiro who is also a saddle fitter to have a look at it. He recommended the Barefoot to me. :)
 
Interesting... I like the Solution concept. I am 5'7 and size 14-16 so I would need a 18... so I know what to look for if one comes up. Then get a fitter to pad it out as such and advise on what to use with both horses?

If that doesnt work then I may need to look at one of the Barefoot/Dartmoor types... which I do like... and again get a fitter to check one would fit both horses?
 
Phoebe said:
Interesting... I like the Solution concept. I am 5'7 and size 14-16 so I would need a 18... so I know what to look for if one comes up. Then get a fitter to pad it out as such and advise on what to use with both horses?

If that doesnt work then I may need to look at one of the Barefoot/Dartmoor types... which I do like... and again get a fitter to check one would fit both horses?
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan!
The only problem i had with my barefoot was not being able to do much jumping in it, i just felt like i had no support, hence getting the solutions jump.
So if your just hacking/schooling the barefoot would be fine.
I also hunted in my barefoot (not jumping) and it never budged :)
 
Thanks... how did you choose the right one with BetterSaddles? Did you take your horse there? I am wondering if I could send them pictures and a template for their advice... I will give them a ring I think :)
 
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