Treeless saddles benefits - EasyTrek or Recomendations

[TheFox]

Good afternoon,

Following from the Indian treeless saddle thread this morning, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with EasyTrek saddles. I quiet like the traditional style of saddle they produce and the price seems quiet resonable! I would also be interested to see what the fit was like?

Although a treeless saddle has never been of interest to me, I would be interested in there pros and cons of purchasing a treeless saddle over a standard tree'd saddle.

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Mrs_T

 

[Oberon]

Easytrek - no. Poor quality and poorly made. I have one in my collection, so I have first hand experience. It's not something I would or ever have ridden with.

Solution, Heather Moffett's range, Freeform, Libra, Trekker, StarTrek, Torsion, Barefoot, Treefree, Freemax - yes.

Those are the trusted brands from my ten year's experience with treeless saddles.

They work for me and my horses. I don't see the point in forking out for a variety of tree'd saddles that may or may not fit next week....but that's just me

 

[Spotsrock]

Not tried easy trek but cannot recommend strongly enough against freemax jump. Horrid to ride in. My indian one has been taken apart and confirmed safe and well balanced by my saddler and had some endurance padding removed. Both mine hack school and jump lovely in it.

 

[Oberon]

Not tried easy trek but cannot recommend strongly enough against freemax jump. Horrid to ride in. My indian one has been taken apart and confirmed safe and well balanced by my saddler and had some endurance padding removed. Both mine hack school and jump lovely in it.

OOh really. I fancied one of those. Not worth it then?

 

[TigerTail]

Wait for a Heather Moffett flexEE - amazing quality and only £349 due for release at the end of May. Quite a few of the agents have got them already so you may be able to try one sooner

http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/flexee_intro.htm

 

[GinaGeo]

I have a Solution. My horse is very opinionated and wasn't as happy in any of the treed saddles I tried as he was when I rode him bareback. Although, it did wonders for my seat it made competing impossible!

He goes in the solution as he goes bareback. It also means that his saddle fits him all year round. The added bonus for me is that due to the moveable and interchangable knee blocks I can have it set up as a dressage saddle and a jumping saddle.

 

[kevinhiatt]

I have just bought an Easytrek Flexiride traditional 17.5 inch GP, I was dubious always of going treeless as most I have seen look more Western style with the importance being put on the saddle cloth which is special for your horse, the Yard Owner showed me her flexiride which she has used for a few years using normal a girth, numnah and stirrups with leathers, so I bought one for the simple reason as I was having a problem getting a saddle to stay without slipping on my large Mare a Belgian Warmblood 16.2h BSJA grade B, the saddle has cured the problem as she has napped and did a 360 rear with a reverse down a ditch with me on her which I think was a fair test, also fitted a Hunting Breastplate without the running Martingale. The problem was out on a hack she saw a dragon log which was going to eat her. Before anyone asks I have been riding for 46 years now being 62, must be nuts.

 

[Toffee44]

I have had a barefoot Cheyenne for 7 years now. Love it. Cant jump in it though.

 

[caroline23]

I hav a freeorm and find it brill.i school hack and jump in it

 

[Serephin]

I have an older type barefoot cheyenne and I love it. Comfy and secure.

 

[kevinhiatt]

My Horse Sabrina a 16.2h Belgian Warmblood has been jumping in her Easytrek Flexiride with no problems also happy with the bit I am using, she is ridden with no riding crop, just gives 110%, the problem is slowing her down so trots but getting there.

 

[Spotsrock]

OOh really. I fancied one of those. Not worth it then?

I'm selling mine!! Ironically my friend loves it so may just be personal preference. I know the chap was VERY rude to me when it was delivered not to the specification I had ordered.

If you're local you are welcome to come try mine Oberon. I'm asking £395 or offer around for it.

I had it lowered at the cantle and event knee rolls added so not too bad but I don't get on with it still.

 

[ClassicG&T]

A friend on the yard uses a Barefoot treeless saddle as her horse has one whiter higher than the other or something. She uses it for everything but apparently you are limited to jumping height or something?

I have ridden her horse with that saddle and it was weird, i didn't like it but i'm sure you would get used to it. Hers was pretty expensive, about £600

 

[aston]

<a href="http://s992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/Amber_Chand/?action=view&amp;current=classic9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/Amber_Chand/classic9.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I think if you have a genuine Easytrek like the above and not a cheap indian copy then you have an excellent quality, soft leather saddle. There is no way you could call these saddles badly made or cheap. Have a look at the pics on here or go to the website. I have one of these and it is literally a £600 saddle for half the price.

 

[ShadowFlame]

I think the general consensus is don't touch a cheap treeless saddle with a bargepole. That includes Easytrek.

With the better made (and as a result, more expensive) makes, it's more matter of choice than "you NEED to have this one". I have a Smart Solution for my cob, which I love. Secure, comfy, traditional looking, lovely saddle and fits no matter how his weight changes. I can jump in it, and there's no restrictions as to what we can do.

I've tried Freeform and HM in the past. HM Fhoenix was horrendous, sold it on shortly afterwards. Freeform was much better, but I far prefer the Solution. Having said that, some people rave about HM saddles - try before you buy is the best bet.

 

[aston]

http://www.easytreksaddles.co.uk/aboutus.html

Sorry hopefully you can open this link, here is the Easytrek Classic saddle.
I personally cannot fault it. I got the fitting checked by a saddle fitter and they were also very impressed. Was in a wintect XXXwide and just did not fit, but the Easytrek fitted perfect. And I do think if you compared your saddle to the Easytrek you will be very surprised, the quality and craftmanship is fabulous. If you have not seen one then you cannot comment.

 

[pip6]

I've used a podium for years, love it. Not cheap (was about £600 nearly 10 years ago), few available second hand. Only one supplier/fitter in UK, I can forward you his details but not sure he's still supplying. Have a google on computer to find some photos of them. Very tough, hardwearing, fit horse lovely. Based on the old cavalry saddles.

 

[ShadowFlame]

http://www.easytreksaddles.co.uk/aboutus.html

Sorry hopefully you can open this link, here is the Easytrek Classic saddle.
I personally cannot fault it. I got the fitting checked by a saddle fitter and they were also very impressed. Was in a wintect XXXwide and just did not fit, but the Easytrek fitted perfect. And I do think if you compared your saddle to the Easytrek you will be very surprised, the quality and craftmanship is fabulous. If you have not seen one then you cannot comment.

Sorry, I have a hard time believing that a saddle that cheap has had any funds put into pressure testing or the like. I really wouldn't touch one

 

[aston]

You'll be surprised!. I spoke on the phone at length to them prior to buying my saddle. They know what they are talking about. Their moto is to provide affordable horseware, not be so greedy on the profit margin. Barefoot/torsion and most other saddles are manufactured in India but you wouldn't class them as a cheap indian saddle. Easytrek have their parts manufactured in the UK and sent to india for assembly. As do most saddle companies. I am not aware of any saddle factories in the UK. Treed saddles are made by saddlers in the UK but there are no treeless factories or saddlers that i am aware of.
My friend has a Barefoot and I have to say the quality of this saddle far surpasses the Barefoot.

 

[Wheels]

I have a Solution. My horse is very opinionated and wasn't as happy in any of the treed saddles I tried as he was when I rode him bareback. Although, it did wonders for my seat it made competing impossible!

Could you explain this to me re: competing

I was interested in the Solution but I also love competing!!

Which saddle do you have? What sort of competition is now impossible?

 

[ShadowFlame]

Could you explain this to me re: competing

I was interested in the Solution but I also love competing!!

Which saddle do you have? What sort of competition is now impossible?

I think she means competing is impossible bareback The Solutions are one of the best options if you're looking into any form of jumping. I have a Native GP which is fab

 

[Ashgrove]

I have an original Solution saddle, I've had it for about 5 years and used it on at least 4 horses.

I've hacked, schooled, jumped, competed at enduirance, trec and dressage with it.

I fully believe it will last me my riding life time, as it can be adjusted to suit different horses.

I have no idea where it was made, all I know is all the horses I've used it on have been happy in it and I'm comfortable in it.

 

[PandorasJar]

I'm currently waiting for a Barefoot Cheyenne to arrive from recommendations previously on here

 

[cundlegreen]

Another recommendation for Barefoot Cheyenne. As I bought it for a hacking saddle, it never gets any cleaning at all, and has worn very well indeed. All I do is stick the grandeur pad in the washing machine occasionally. I thought Barefoots were made in Germany?? I have jumped in mine to 1-0 m and was surprised how comfortable it was!

 

[tusc2]

I have no idea where it was made, all I know is all the horses I've used it on have been happy in it and I'm comfortable in it.

Solution Saddles are fully manufactured in the UK near Worksop, I have been to their workshop so can confirm this

I'm a great fan having started off with the Energist and now upgraded to a SMART dresaage and Jump saddles. I compete in DR, SJ and XC and have never had any problems with slipping so long as the balance pads are fitted correctly, which takes a bit of practise.

Yes they are a bit pricey but should last a long time and can be fitted to any horse.

 

[Ashgrove]

Solution Saddles are fully manufactured in the UK near Worksop, I have been to their workshop so can confirm this

I'm a great fan having started off with the Energist and now upgraded to a SMART dresaage and Jump saddles. I compete in DR, SJ and XC and have never had any problems with slipping so long as the balance pads are fitted correctly, which takes a bit of practise.

Yes they are a bit pricey but should last a long time and can be fitted to any horse.

I'd love to go to their workshop, is it ever open to the public, do they have a shop there?

 

[Shysmum]

Aston you are talking rubbish. Do u work for et?

 

[ozpoz]

Ashgrove, I've been to their workshop too. I'm currently in a Solution Smart dressage saddle, very happily.
They normally fit to both rider and horse at your own yard. There is an arena there where people can test ride. You could ask via their website.

 

[sbloom]

I am not aware of any saddle factories in the UK. Treed saddles are made by saddlers in the UK but there are no treeless factories or saddlers that i am aware of.

Firstly no idea why this was resurrected, old thread!

Then to address the above, having momentarily swallowed my tongue when you said there ware no saddle factories in the UK, I read the next sentence. Heather Moffett treeless saddles are, at least in part, made by Nursey's in Bungay, Suffolk who make leather jackets etc.

To make a living everyone has to put a decent profit margin on a saddle. 20% goes to the goverment straight away, keeping stock costs money, there are overheads, salaries, fitting fees to agents where relevant before you've paid for the materials and labour of the saddle itself - I KNOW how much people who make British production line saddles (synthetics etc) are paid per saddle and they have to be fast to make a living. This means there is VERY little scope to make the saddles well abroad - once you've taken off shipping I'd say the cost advantage is less than a fiver for a good safe saddle. So, half the price of a Thorowgood or Wintec? Don't touch it!

 

[philamena]

Could you explain this to me re: competing

I was interested in the Solution but I also love competing!!

Which saddle do you have? What sort of competition is now impossible?

I may have misread it but I thought the OP meant she'd been riding bareback but wanted to be able to compete with him operating as well as he did bareback... not that you can't compete in the Solution.

Lots of people compete in Solutions - I have a dressage Sport and would do everything you'd do in a treed dressage saddle in it.