Treeless saddle advice please!

[NIKKI1974]

Does anyone ride in a treeless g.p saddle i have seen some in the shops on ebay and was wondering how good they are would they be suitable for a recently broken youngster? Many thanks!

 

[dwi]

I had one for six months having taken the advice of a saddler that a treeless would be a better fit for my horse and it is probably to blame for the back pain that my horse is now suffering. She hasn't been in full work for the last three months and is going to the vets this afternoon. It was bought with the best of intentions but turned out to be a horrible mistake. Don't touch it

 

[charlottenicol]

I have a Breafoot Cheyenne, it coveres everything I need, i school, hack and Cross Country in it (mind you I only do little jumps, self employed so self preservation!), If you go down the treeless route then make sure you get the proper pads to go underneath, i find mine great as my Clydesdale changes shape throughout the year. Give Horse and Harmony a call they are very helpful and full of advice, think they now do trials, so you can try before you buy. For a youngester who will also change it may be a good option for you. I know that some folk have had bad experiences, but that is the same for all tack, you have to work with what is best for you and your horse.

 

[Theresa_F]

Ditto above - Horse & Harmony are very helpful. I have the Barefoot London model which is a little more conventional looking than the Cheyenne. Very comfortable to hack in and do all basic schooling and small jumps. Make sure you get the right size for you. Takes a little getting used to when trotting as it is high at the front. Best way to describe is a mixture of english and western feel.

I have the size 1, and am a large 12/small 14 bum and lets just say, don't want to add any more weight. My instructor can ride ok at walk, but is concerned for his b*lls at a trot so I put my old treed saddle on for him.

I love my treeless as it goes on both the old clydie who loves it and my young gypsy cob who I would probably need a new saddle for every ever six month at the moment, he is growing so fast.

Next year I hope to be doing affililate showing and am seriously considering investing in the Fhoenix for this.

Do make sure you get the correct pads and the correct pommel - they do three sizes.

 

[Donkeymad]

I have a Torsion, which is the original make and, IMO, the best made treeless saddle, and my horse has been so much better with it. Even my saddle fitter uses a Torsion on his horse, so can't be bad.

 

[Daphnelia]

I have a barefoot cherokee which I like very much. Be aware that you cannot just plonk it on their back and expect it to fit, you may need to adjust the pommel or cantle stuffing, and the shimming in the pad. Just a random tip - would avoid a pad with fleece in it as my one has become compressed under the saddle, and now the pad actually tips the saddle forward

If a treeless saddle causes problems it is because it is fitted incorrectly, or the padding is insufficient - OR it is being used for a purpose it was not intended for.

xxx