Treeless saddle questions.....Please help...

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jackbeauty

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Hi all,
Ive decided to go treeless. Mainly for Hacking schooling etc. Something dead comfy.
Any recommends & experiences??
Any types to avoid??
Are Torsions really worth their money?
Thanks for your time xx
 
Spend as much as you can possibly afford - it will be worth it. Avoid anything cheap on ebay, although you can pick up Solution saddles on there for around £900 now (seen some cheaper but this time last year they were making around £1100). Have a look on www.solution-saddles.co.uk and read the "why go treeless" section, regardless of which make you are looking at. It makes interesting reading.
 
The Barefoot range of saddles are very comfy - I had the Barefoot London for a very wide horse after riding in one on a normal width horse. The only problem on a wide horse is that you do feel quite stretched. They also have to be ridden with a special treeless numnah and padded up to fit the shape of your horse. Not quite as simple as people think.

However I loved it when riding my friends normal width horse.
 
Rowreach said:
Spend as much as you can possibly afford - it will be worth it. Avoid anything cheap on ebay, although you can pick up Solution saddles on there for around £900 now (seen some cheaper but this time last year they were making around £1100). Have a look on www.solution-saddles.co.uk and read the "why go treeless" section, regardless of which make you are looking at. It makes interesting reading.
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Hi there, Yes i have read that article recently. Very interesting! & the best argument against treed saddles by far. It helped me decide thats for sure.

However, my budget wont reach Solution saddle prices, even second hand!!..so need the middle range.
But yes, I see what your saying about the ebay cheap versions. xx
 
I have a Torsion deluxe saddle, I've had it nearly 8 years and it's still in great condition. It's very comfy to ride in but I would agree about feeling stretched on a wide horse ( I have a Highland) definitely worth the money though.
 
Tammytoo said:
The Barefoot range of saddles are very comfy - I had the Barefoot London for a very wide horse after riding in one on a normal width horse. The only problem on a wide horse is that you do feel quite stretched. They also have to be ridden with a special treeless numnah and padded up to fit the shape of your horse. Not quite as simple as people think.

However I loved it when riding my friends normal width horse.
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I will look these up thanks. My mare is a med/wide so shouldnt be too stretched. lol
I did wonder about the fitting 'accessories' too..kinda makes u wonder where it all ends really. Im sure I read somewhere about some that have wither bars?! Urgh!! xx
 
threeponies said:
I have a Torsion deluxe saddle, I've had it nearly 8 years and it's still in great condition. It's very comfy to ride in but I would agree about feeling stretched on a wide horse ( I have a Highland) definitely worth the money though.
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Wow 8 yrs! Thats a good buy then. Do u have to replace pads or have any maintenance with them? xx
 
Try looking out for a second-hand Heather Moffet, Freeform (NOT Freemax, they are a cheap knockoff) or Torsion. Barefoots are pretty good budget saddle too.

As others have said, the cheap new ones on ebay should be avoided like the plague, they do more harm than good.
 
The "wither bars" don't touch the withers! They are usually made from a strong plastic and are there to keep the saddle off the withers. You get different widths or you can, as some people do, stuff the area with old tights just to keep it off the withers. The Barefoot seem to be the best at the cheaper end of the market, but still around the price of a treed saddle.
 
Nothing has been replaced, I'm using the same pad I bought with it, it still looks new too, it washes really well. Even the girth I got with it is still going strong, and I've just realised I sound like a total cheapskate!! :0
 
Do be careful though because some makes of "treeless" are not entirely "rigid-free" - also if you think you may want to jump in it then the Solution ones are really the only ones designed for that, and they are fab for improving your position if you are keen on schooling/dressage :)
 
LittleBlackMule said:
Try looking out for a second-hand Heather Moffet, Freeform (NOT Freemax, they are a cheap knockoff) or Torsion. Barefoots are pretty good budget saddle too.

As others have said, the cheap new ones on ebay should be avoided like the plague, they do more harm than good.
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Thank u for that...Ill have a scout around. There does seem to be plenty of those freemax's around. Thought they looked cheap quality. xx
 
jackbeauty said:
Thank u for that...Ill have a scout around. There does seem to be plenty of those freemax's around. Thought they looked cheap quality. xx
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Actually Freemax is NOT just a cheap knock off. They are made in Italy and are safe to use. They were designed by one of the designers of the Freeform.

What is your budget?
 
Depends what you want to do, if you want to dressage, show and jump etc gave a look at a HM saddle, enlightened equitation. If you just want to hack etc then there are cheaper Western Style, I ride in a HM. I have ridden western style in a Beechwood saddle and absoluty HATED it, I felt really insecure as there were no knee rolls. Personal choice, try to ride in a few styles before you buy
 
I've recently bought a Freeform on ebay and love it, I have a very wide ID/Conn and a QH/TB, with different pads the same saddle works on both of them and is really comfy.
 
team barney said:
Have a look on ebay.


This saddle looks to be a real bargain... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Startrekk...r_Equipment&hash=item3cbc44b38b#ht_542wt_1189

there is also a couple of HM saddles on there under your price limit...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heather-M...r_Equipment&hash=item1e671a7b61#ht_500wt_1204

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEATHER-M...r_Equipment&hash=item2c5f573f1a#ht_500wt_1204


good luck finding what you are after.
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OOOh - the StarTrekk is quite rare round these parts. I bet it goes for around £600.

It's worth about £900;)

I tried a HM and it is a great saddle, but I found it really unstable. I prefer my Freeform.
I plan on getting a Freemax next time.

£400 will get you a decent saddle if you keep your eyes peeled on eBay.
 
Oberon said:
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OOOh - the StarTrekk is quite rare round these parts. I bet it goes for around £600.

It's worth about £900;)

I tried a HM and it is a great saddle, but I found it really unstable. I prefer my Freeform.
I plan on getting a Freemax next time.

£400 will get you a decent saddle if you keep your eyes peeled on eBay.
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I know the Startrekk is a real bargain. I have been fascinated by them for a while and if I needed another saddle I'd seriously consider bidding on that one, I can't justify it though, I have far too many saddles already!!!
 
Oberon said:
Actually Freemax is NOT just a cheap knock off. They are made in Italy and are safe to use. They were designed by one of the designers of the Freeform.
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They are an Italian company, yes, but the saddles are made in India. The guy who designed them used to work for Freeform a good few years ago, and while the Freeform technology has moved on since then, his doesn't seem to have done as there are a lot of pressure issues reported with Freemax saddles.
 
LittleBlackMule said:
They are an Italian company, yes, but the saddles are made in India. The guy who designed them used to work for Freeform a good few years ago, and while the Freeform technology has moved on since then, his doesn't seem to have done as there are a lot of pressure issues reported with Freemax saddles.
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We'll have to agree to disagree on that point.

I've heard people saying they're made in India and I've heard people say they're made in Italy. I'm inclined to believe Italy after speaking to someone who's chosen to sell them.

Freeforms are fabulous and mine cost £800, three years ago.

Freemax's are £400. So you're not going to get the same saddle. But that doesn't mean Freemax's aren't an option for people who can't afford.

I've heard Heather Moffett is bringing out a budget saddle at some point.
 
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