Treeless saddles and backing youngsters

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Abbeygale

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Has anyone got any experience of backing youngsters in treeless saddles - and if they have backed their youngster in a treeless saddle how the horse has reacted if then a treed saddle was used at a later date?

I love my treeless saddle - and would really would like to just back my boy in it - but I am just a bit concerned about what he might do should I or someone else need to change to a treed saddle at a later date.

Any opinions / ideas gratefully received!!
 
there have been a few posts about treeless saddles lately. do a search should bring some of the posts up. someone mentioned enlightened equitation website has a forum for treeless.
 
Mine was sat on in a treed saddle - not a great fit but fine to sit and walk in. Then got a treeless saddle which I still use to start schooling and this has been only saddle used on him for past year.

My instructor recently started riding him and finds my treeless saddle a bit small for him so I got out the treed saddle - which now he has filled out fits him, put it on and off he went - no difference whatsoever. Chancer now has treed saddle with him and treeless with me when ridden.

If the backing has been done properly, then you should be able to go from one type to the other, providing both fit well.

All my horses have had all sorts of saddles from treeless, treed, western and side saddles - put them on and got on. That said, my are sensible sorts and take everything in their stride.
 
I'm backing Malaga in a Bob Marshel
If you want to ask on a forum try this
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/treelesssaddles/messages
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I'm back
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I am currently backing a horse using a Solution saddle. I've been using Solution saddles for 18 months now, and would never ride in anything else, so I was keen to start my young horse in treeless.

I contacted the company and took advice from the MD whose horses were all started in treeless. My main concern was the stability of the saddle in the event that my youngster had an extreme moment, at which point I wanted everything to stay in place! However well you start them from the ground, and however good their temperament, who just never know ...

The advice I was given was to use a chamois under the saddle for extra grip. Use an elasticated breastgirth. Use a Wintec elasticated girth, because they are very "grippy". So far, so good! My mare is a very happy girl
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I intend to keep this horse, and so I don't plan on putting a treed saddle on her. I would imagine that if you start a horse in treeless and they spend their first months or years treeless, then using a treed saddle would be a very different experience for them. I would assume that you would have to take time to get them used to it, and would also expect them not to be able to move as freely or comfortably/confidently as they would in treeless.

You don't say which make of saddle you use, but if it is the Solution, I'd recommend giving them a ring as they are all treeless users and happy to give advice.
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We backed my Haflinger 18 mths ago in a Treefree Dartmoor treeless saddle and she loved it. We moved over to also use a treed saddle once we were cantering and jumping and her shape had settled to its adult one and she is completely happy with both types. I think horses are happy to accept both if both are used from the earliest stage.

I use treed saddle more but we like a change sometimes, and it was fantastic to back her in a saddle that I knew would not hurt her, she was still changing shape and I couldnt afford to buy a saddle and then have to change it.

I would really recommend it.
 
Thanks for all your replies! I think I am going to back my boy in the treeless.

Rowreach - when you say about a chamois - do you just mean a chamois cloth like you use on a car? I have a hunting breastplate that I usually use - do you think that this should be ok - or would an elasticated breasthirth be better? I don't mind spending any money I need to on my guys - but if I have something that will do the job just as well I would rather use that - if that makes sense!!

Thanks for all your help!
 
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