Treeless Saddle vs Traditional Saddle

Kokopelli

Kokopelli

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 July 2010
Messages
7,170
Location
Gloucester
Visit site
I don't know much about treeless saddles etc, so I thought I would get people's opinions on them vs traditional saddles with a tree.

As I'm in the market for a new saddle thought I might try something different, if its better then the traditional!

What do you guys prefer and why? :)
 
Never tried treeless so I can't personally comment but I've heard very mixed reviews, some people seem to love them others thing they are awful things.

If you're in the market for something a bit different have you considered a panel system saddle? For example Free'n'easy or reactor panel. They are priced similar to the treeless saddles and I have yet to find anyone that has had real problems with them. They work on the basis that the saddle fits you and the panels fit the horse. You can both be comfortable and in the corret position. Alot of endurance riders use them as they spread the weight over a greater surface area so less chance of sore backs and generally seem to keep the horse going for longer!

I have a free'n'easy, got it second hand from ebay for £400 (they cost around £1,600 new) and it was fit perfectly to my girl and me :) love it and would never go back to an English saddle. I believe the house hold cavelery ride on a similar type of saddle?
 
I went from being a died-in-the-wool treed rider to a big fan of treeless.
My old boy was always fine in his treed but my ever-growing youngster went lop-sided, began to hate treed saddles so tried treeless (Barefoot) and have not looked back.

Think you need to decide on your reasons for wanting to change, do a lot of internet info searching (huge amount of variations on a theme and a lot depends on the shape of your horse and what withers they have).

Wherever possible try and ride in as many as possible as they can be very different and you or your horse may not like the feel!

I've tried both the HM SBS Flexion and the HM Fhoenix and we didn't get on with either of them. Am looking at trying a Solution and one of the new Freeforms as my boy has very high withers.

Good luck!
 
They sound interesting.

I heard of this guy in Belgium who has created a tree which is completly flexible, not just side to side and front to back but on the angles. I wanted to try one of these but they start at £2000 :o Which definatly put me off.

I just want the most comfort for my horse as he is still developing I definatly do not want to hinder his performance in anyway by getting the wrong saddle. We just got a lovely jump saddle for him but I need an everyday saddle.
 
I would say that it is personal preference. I ride mainly in a ghost treeless saddle; I find it comfortable for me, and Jos loves it as well and goes very well in it. It gives room for movement for his shoulders, and also does not make my a$$ ache;) I have jumped in it, showed in it, and done pleasure rides in it.

I have tried other treeless saddles, some are ok others are pants. Most treeless dealers will let you trial a saddle to see if you like it. I trialled my ghost before buying. I also have a treed saddle that I kind of inherited, which fits Jos in the winter occasionally. I don't like it much though - hurts my backside!:eek::D
 
I have ridden in both and don't really mind as long as the saddle fits the horse.

However I ride around alot of steep hills and I felt more 'secure' side to side in the treed saddle.
 
I bought a treeless for my cob who literally changes shape weekly
I bought a cheap libra to try and love it - my horse is comfortable in it, I am happy knowing it fits him properly and he loves it too - its very comfortable,
One friend rode him last week and said it was like sitting in big comfy armchair!
 
Will normal saddlers not fit treeless saddles? Would I have to get someone specially qualified if I am interested in buying one? If so are they more expensive then normal saddlers?
 
Horses for courses really. Most equine professionals will run a mile from treeless saddles and say they cause nerve damage.

I have been using them happily since 2002.

Any decent treeless is much better than a poorly fitted treed - and there are SOOOO MANY poorly fitted treed saddles out there.

I love the fact that I can interchange my saddles between my horses. I know that however much they change shape the saddle will be OK. I can easily buy second hand treeless saddles from eBay and know they will fit. I like that they tend to be so light too.
 
Kokopelli said:
Will normal saddlers not fit treeless saddles? Would I have to get someone specially qualified if I am interested in buying one? If so are they more expensive then normal saddlers?
Click to expand...

I don't know of any saddle fitters that do treeless except Better Saddles.

If you are a bit worried about fitting then get a trial of a brand and dicuss the fitting at length with the spokesperson. They are usually pretty good and helpful.

Most treeless have a corresponding pad and alot of sellers know which girth works well with their saddle.

Fitting one isn't like fitting a treed saddle. It is much easier.
 
Oberon said:
I don't know of any saddle fitters that do treeless except Better Saddles.

If you are a bit worried about fitting then get a trial of a brand and dicuss the fitting at length with the spokesperson. They are usually pretty good and helpful.

Most treeless have a corresponding pad and alot of sellers know which girth works well with their saddle.

Fitting one isn't like fitting a treed saddle. It is much easier.
Click to expand...

I think I will ring the saddler and say I would be interested in trying a treeless as I know one near of us does fit them after some researching!

I think they seem like marmite thouch you either love them or you hate them.

I thought they look really heavy though, are the heavy? I don't want to use a heavy saddle on my boy as I said before he is still developing.
 
Even the heavier ones are much lighter than a treed saddle.

My beloved, ugly old Torsion weighs 7lb - same as a newborn baby!

PM if you want any advice on brands.

Can you tell me the name of the guy in Belgium? I've not heard about that.
 
Oberon said:
Even the heavier ones are much lighter than a treed saddle.

My beloved, ugly old Torsion weighs 7lb - same as a newborn baby!

PM if you want any advice on brands.

Can you tell me the name of the guy in Belgium? I've not heard about that.
Click to expand...

I really cannot remember it sounds awesome though. His name is like schleker or something like that, he was the official saddle fitter for WEG in 2008 so maybe google that?
 
SassieSoz said:
I went from being a died-in-the-wool treed rider to a big fan of treeless.
My old boy was always fine in his treed but my ever-growing youngster went lop-sided, began to hate treed saddles so tried treeless (Barefoot) and have not looked back.

Think you need to decide on your reasons for wanting to change, do a lot of internet info searching (huge amount of variations on a theme and a lot depends on the shape of your horse and what withers they have).

Wherever possible try and ride in as many as possible as they can be very different and you or your horse may not like the feel!

I've tried both the HM SBS Flexion and the HM Fhoenix and we didn't get on with either of them. Am looking at trying a Solution and one of the new Freeforms as my boy has very high withers.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Can you let me know if you find something good for high withers? My old girl has the same problem and I loved our barefoot, but it just kept slipping back on her shape. Have also been looking at the freeform cut back option.
Thanks
 
I had tried a treeless and thought it was horrific but I got chatting to the ladies from Solution at a show and sat on one. It was totally different and very comfortable. After a couple more chats, and lots of reading I decided to try one. I'm a total convert, it is amazing. My horse lifts through her back better, tracks up better, has a longer stride and a more open shoulder. She is freer down hill and I am more comfortable too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top