Treeless Saddle for now? or?

Vintage

Vintage

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Hi everyone. Apologies if this is a dumb post.

I am wanting to bring my boyo back in to work - no fault of his own, he's a super chap. His only downfall is being eager with his work.

Now, his 'old' saddle no longer fits him, and beyond a simple flocking issue. He's grown since he last had it on. I am going to get a nice leather saddle for him when he's a little more fit, however to start with, I just need to get back on him and work him up in fitness. Though I can do this bareback, the previously mentioned eagerness can be a little tricky to sit to - as I've also been out of riding, it leaves me a little bit unsure. I am going to be having lessons on a quieter horse to just get my foot back in the door, however;

I have been debating getting a bareback pad of some sort to just tide us over with until he begins to start shaping up to start fitting saddles to. I have an old western pad that may manage with an overgirth, though I then saw the saddles on ebay (oh yes, I went there)

I know the Treeless saddles on ebay are absolute tat, and I wouldn't ride with stirrups in them considering the majority are D rings. However, what is the general thought on using one as a bareback pad instead for some slow work at home?

I am not the lightest of riders (13.9 stone) and don't want to put a P.O.C on my horse and hurt him with my large lump, however I would just like to have /something/ to give me a little more grip on him, so I'm unsure what to do. I don't have all the money in the world to get a saddle fitted to his current shape only to need to change at a later date. Am I being completely dumb?
 
If you are going to need a new saddle anyway why not look at getting a decent treeless? Something like a Solution or Heather Moffat, it would mean just one purchase but would adjust to his changing shape.
 
I wouldn't risk it even if I weighed 8stone. I would either do as above poster says, the flexi that heather moffett o are affordable and whilst I don't have one, they are really well reviewed and I plan on getting one at some point. You could look at getting a second hand libra. I got one for around 80 quid off ebay just to see if we liked treeless. They are well made and comfy. Another option which is what I really like and use, is a total contact saddle. I ride in one with my bareback pad so you have the extra security of stirrups but the bareback feeling. Some people worry about the pressure points but it has been tested and recently more tests have been done on it. My horse loves it and my physio says shes not showing any signs of being sore in it and we do a lot of riding. I did a five hour hack in it one day and she was fine and on average I ride for at least two hours a day most days.
 
Get yourself a secondhand synthetic Thoroughgood or Wintec, can get them for less than £100 on ebay, and then you have a semi-decent saddle to ride in that is fully adjustable until you decide what you want to spend your money on, plus you know that they generally re-sell well (if cheaply).
 
My only worry is he is a funny shape for the Wintecs..

Are there any other Treeless saddles up to £400 that anyone can recommend for those with lower withers?

The HM ones look very good and I've seen the Solution saddles for larger riders which look great but are far too expensive (over £1,000) Thanks everyone who's commented so far!
 
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webble said:
I LOVE my HM saddle but they do have a weigh limit of 13stone, I dont know if this is the same for the solutions?
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No there is no weight limit for solutions. And if you look around the older models sometimes come up for under £1000.

They are pricey but should last you forever as they continue to fit even when the horse changes shape.
 
Be aware OP that a treeless saddle won't give you "more grip"........ it will actually give you less and you're liable to slide around like a turd on a dungheap TBH.

IF you're committed to the treeless saddle option; and are looking on e-bay, ONLY buy saddles where the makers have got their names on the saddle. This was advice I was given when buying treeless on e-bay (or anywhere else for that matter).

Do your research..... look at all the options, and IF something you like comes up then bid for it, but know your ££ limits and stick to them rigidly.

I got a nice little treeless on e-bay which I use for a spare; very handy little piece of kit, but personally I'm far happier (and body complains a lot less!:) with a treed saddle.
 
a lot of saddles now have interchangeable/ adjustable gullets now, not just wintecs, so unless he changed dramatically in shape and saddle could be fitted now and the gullet altered when he changes shape more with muscle. you will need a saddler to do this. also some flocking can alter fit a little.
personally i don't find treeless support me as much, but definitely better than nothing. just find as soon as you get on it sinks and you have to do the girth up another 5 holes!
 
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