Treeless Saddles

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lizwharton

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Saddles again. I am considering buying a treeless saddle as having tried a friends my horse goes better than in her current treed saddle. I am considering all options including the Fhoenix or Total Saddle Solutions. Does any one have any experience of these? I would be looking at a GP for a horse with a good wither and big shoulder. Thanks
 
I have ridden in the Ansur (Total Saddle Solutions) and liked it but although they dont look as nice I loved the Torsion to ride in. You can feel their back move underneath you and I really liked it. All the horses I have ridden in it have gone better and more relaxed.
 
I used to ride in a Trekker Talent. Lovely saddle very comfy. My mare went well in it. Cheaper end of the market but very good value for money. (currently for sale
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Bought a Phoenix last Oct. I got the one with the suber panels. Heavenly looking saddle. Not quite as comfy as the trekker but still very comfy.
Only thing I don't like about either saddle is the dressage girthing system. I can't tighten it whilst on board.
 
Got a Heather Moffatt Fhoenix and really like it on my older chap who goes better in it, we're using it in my sig and it helped my position loads.

It will be a little while before I use it on the youngster I think as you need to sit quite still but our trainer uses her HM on him and loves it.
 
I have two Solution saddles (freestyle and jumper) and have ridden in the GP, and I would rate these more highly than any of the others. Many supposedly "treeless" saddles do in fact have rigid parts within them, including some of the more expensive ones.

The Solution saddles have no rigid parts at all. Please feel free to pm me if you want to ask any questions.
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I too have a Heather Moffatt Fhoenix and love it. I am a short plump middle-aged person with terrible arthritis and I sit on my 16.3hh Irish cob x who can spin like a ballerina with no problems, the only saddle I have ever been able to do that in.

Gen is also competed at Elem BD in it by my friend Mike who is 6ft 3inch and built like ..... a dressage rider!!!!!

Have another friend who does a little bit of jumping to about 3ft with Gen in it as well.

Gen has never moved better and we have never been happier. Couldnt recommend them enough.

Am now saving for Heathers new and very beautiful dressage saddle - the vogue.
 
Thanks for post I have been riding in Torsion deluxe up until Xmas. I loved it and so did my horse initially. Unfortunately as she changed shape in winter the back of the saddle rubbed her both sides it was moving a lot it does seem to suit her shape. Also the security of it was a problem despite using recommended girths and pads etc. The deluxe model is quite padded and rigid at the back and didnt mould to her shape. Hence looking for another treeless option, or may go back to treed if need to.
 
Thanks for post re Fheonix saddle. Have heards lots of good reports may try the new Vogue which comes out soon. Do you have the prolite suberpad version wondered which gives most security.
 
I have the suberpad version as I decided it would be best with my weight on it. It looks a bit odd when you are not used to it but once on you wouldnt know it wasnt a 'normal' saddle.

The 'sellers' of the Fhoenix are really good and will give excellent advice about which would suit you BOTH best. You can also trial one for a week I think.
 
I currently use a Barefoot London dressage model which is great and my horses go very well in it - they both use the same saddle. I bought the latest model with the pad designed for it and it was not too expensive. I personally really like it as do the horses. Have just had them checked by the physio and their backs had no problems.

I am wanting to try the Fhoenix - my friend has just got one for showing her trad in and I hope to meet up at a show and try in on Chancer. Long term this will probably be my next saddle for Chancer - bit smarter for showing than the Barefoot.
 
I also have 2 saddles from the Total Saddle Solutions range (Jump and Dressage) and would never go back. They are so comfortable I can ride in them all day and they don't slip or move at all, I do eventing in mine and feel really secure.

I had saddle issues with my TB mare, my treed saddle made her incredibly sore even though I was told by 2 qualified saddle fitters that it fitted well.

We have been treeless for 2 years now and the difference is amazing, well worth the price tag in my opinion, hence I bought a dressage one 6 months after my jump one. I haven't ridden in the GP but have heard that it is very good.

Feel free to PM me if you want more details, pictures etc....
 
Yay! I got my Total Solutions GP on Friday...unfortunately my pony hurt her back ducking out of the trailer the weekend before so haven't got to use mine yet. I have ridden for 3 weeks in a Solutions GP (jumped, hacked and flatwork lessons) and tried the Barefoot and Torsions ones which are used by other owners on the yard, and I much prefer Total Solutions one. Fab becuase you can actually jump in the GP one as well as do dressage. I also believe they are the only ones approved for competition under FEI and BHS rules, but you may have to check that out. Also the owners of the Torsion saddles have been eyeing mine lifting it (light as a feather) and generally oohing and ahhing. When it comes to saddles, I am a firm believer in not cutting corners and look at them as a longterm investment for me and my pony.
 
REPLY FOR HORSEYHORSEYTALES: I have just bought a gp total saddle solutions and am getting to grips with it. I adored the one I trialed, changed the way i ride, and my boy stretches long and low. You will not regret buying one of these. I would not try any other treeless brands as thay all have a rigid part, except for this brand. Pricey, but worth it.
It does take a bit of getting used to in terms of pads moving etc. You have to do the girth up really tight before you get on or it will slip, as no tree points to anchor it, and need to get on from a block. Girth must be tighter than with a treed, so must use a wintec elastic girth with it. I found pads move if not tight enough, and is a complete pain until you are used to it. I damaged my back trying to do girth up tight enough! Saying this, I still recommend them, and once you have the knack of them they are fine. Your horse will tell you the difference. I do not ever want to use another saddle!
 
Definitely The Solution Saddle - Recommend very highly.
You can get all the help and advice you need from the sales office. Amanda in customer service is really knowledgeable and helpful - if you do have any problems getting used to it, she will offer you lots of tips. Everyone who works for the company rides in The Solution saddle, so you get real experience as your back up.
 
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