TREELESS SADDLES

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jules59

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Please can someone advise me on a treeless saddle? I am just about to test the Torsion GP, but must say I do like the look of the Horse & Harmony Cherokee? Has anyone got any feedback on these? Thanks ever so much
 
I've got a Torsion Deluxe. My horse took a while to get used to it but soon adjusted and has gone really well in it. I've found it the most comfortable saddle I've ever used but since losing quite a lot of weight it is too big for me so it's looking for a new home and I'm looking for a new saddle - PM me if you want any more info.
 
The Barefoot saddles from Horse and Harmony are by far the best of the cheaper ones. After that you are looking at a Heather Moffat or a Dartmoor.... which including pads are nearly double the price. Barefoot saddles represent very good value. Avoid anything unbranded. Trekker saddles are passable, but not up to the same quality and design that a Barefoot is these days.

Some people formed their opinions of Barefoots based upon the earlier versions which were not as good as the ones they make now. Bear this in mind anyone who is buying 2nd hand!

If you get a treeless, iit is important to use the pads sold for it. With a normal saddle, the numnah is simply to keep it clean. With a treeless saddle of the torsion/dartmoorbarefoot kind the pad is fundamental to how the saddle works and your horses comfort. The pad is not an item to save money on by buying the cheapo version.
 
I had a torsion on demo a few years back, really like it, very comfortable and my cob seemed very comfortable in it too.
Just thought they were a bit ugly looking though, suppose if you just hacking/long distance etc then there great, but I was looking for something that I could do a bit of everything in...even though you could with the torsion really...personal preference I guess I wanted a more traditional looking saddle
for the money.

Anyway yes, he really stretched and relaxed in the school and started using his back more, so I was very impressed.

Depends on they confirmation of your horse/pony I guess, I wouldn't personally use one on a horse unless he was wide/cobby/fat in shape, due to the clearance over the spine, think with breeds that have a 'slimmer shape' over the back like a TB for example then there would be contact with spine and no bridging, hence why you need a tree in a saddle, but that's for saddle fitter to comment on.

Always have it checked out by a saddle fitter to make sure you won't cause any damage.
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I have just received my tester Torsion GP! - its not quite how I imagined?! It doesnt seem to look as comfy as the horse & harmony one. I'm going to test it this aft, so we'l see how things go!
 
Erm, that's interesting cos mine are TB's! I've just received my tester Torsion this morning so i'l see how it is. Going to try it this aft. I've got a 16.3 TB gelding and 16.1 TB mare! Keep you posted! Many thanks for the advice
 
Hi Jules59, sorry I did not mean to worry you, perhaps their are people out there that do use them on their TB's and fit perfectly, but it is something you certainly need to be aware and double check thats all if the saddle is inteded for long term everyday use, but then again your only trialing and a saddle fitter would be able to advise on above.

Good luck trying it, I'm sure you love it, will seem weird at first, its like riding bare back but with stirrups!
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Agree with Kenzo here, I do suspect treeless are better suited to more cobby types. Again not to worry you but when I tested a Torsion it triggered either narcolepsy or vaso-vagal syncope; basically the horse collapsed on the spot! Only reason we didn't do tests to clarify was her arthritis had progressed and we retired her there and then. ANYWAYS, just be careful. I'm sure this won't happen to you but I just don't think they are the ideal shape for many TB's.
And they are super comfy!
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What make did you use. I've just rung up about the Treefree Dartmoor/Exmoor. Really want to get as much info as poss. After all, it is their backs that I am playing around with! Ta v much
 
Oh no you didnt worry me hun. I really appreciate all the feedback. I suppose until I try I wont know as its all mixed comments that are coming back.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Trekker saddles are passable, but not up to the same quality and design that a Barefoot is these days.

Some people formed their opinions of Barefoots based upon the earlier versions which were not as good as the ones they make now.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thing is I think the Trekkers are also much better now than they were a couple of years ago. They are better made and the leather is excellent quality. A friend has one and I have often looked at it with some degree of envy. However, when I rode on it I wasn't so impressed as I found it tipped me towards the back of the saddle all the time. She doesn't get this so maybe we are different shapes and that's why it suits her but not me?

Really you should try as many different sorts as you can as I feel each one is different in some way and a trial is the only way you can tell if it is going to suit your horse and you.
 
I've got a Barefoot Cherokee and it suits my horse perfectly - she moves much more freely and is a lot more comfortable in it - as am I! There are quite a few in our yard with them, but they don't necessarily suit all horses and riders, but most that have tried them are really happy. We only really hack and do pleasure rides though.

Here is mine....

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My friend has a Cherokee, it is the most comfortable saddle I have ever sat in.
The horses love it.they move more freely .
I feel very safe in this saddle.

I rode my horse in it a few weeks ago.
while I was arranging my stirrups, his field mate escaped out of the field, and bolted off round the back of the yard,well my boy had a dickie fit and tried to bolt off after her, both of my feet were out of the stirrups,I had one of them in my hand.

I was trying to control him and managed to calm him down but all the time i didn't once feel insecure.

I would recommend them to anybody.

Why don't you have one on trial,they do charge for this service but if you decide to buy it they knock the cost off the price.
 
I've had a Total Saddles Solution saddle on two warmbloods for nine weeks now and all is still well, but the jury is out for long-term use! One of them has very high withers and needs a front riser pad, but does not seem to have a problem (yet?).
 
We've had a Dartmoor Treefree for 6 years now - I got it for my little arab, it went from him to my cob and is now on my husbands Fresian X. It's worked really well for all of them, and is one of the nicest saddles I've ever ridden in - really comfy and secure.

I now have a fairly elderly ansur, which is also fab, and makes me look really elegant!
 
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