Treeless?

I've ridden in one before and IMO they are incredibly uncomfy!!
I found I couldn't get the correct position in them either.
I've also heard they're not very good for jumping in? Not entirely sure though.
 
We had them at college and i did think that some horses they benefited, but others they gave a very bad back having been ''professionally fitted by a treeless specialist''. I found them very uncomfy to ride in and bit of a pain to keep putting the pads in each time before riding and most of them either slip back or go round the horses belly when your on board.
Although as i say i have seen some that dont look too noticable when your on board and have worked some wonders with some horses and ruined others. if you your horse goes well with what hes got i would stick with that!!
 
A couple of the horses at my RS have these http://www.barefoot-treeless-saddles.co.uk/index.html (the one at teh top) I think they are quite comfy and I can't say I've had any problems positionwise, though they do feel a little odd at the beginning. Personally I prefer normal ones (and I can't say I like the appearance of the treeless ones I've seen in the flesh either) but then I've only tried the cheyenne and I've only ridden in them a few times
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Well I am a huge fan of treeless saddles and wouldn't put a treed saddle on one of my horses ever again, but I wouldn't touch the ones you mention with the proverbial bargepole.

There are a large number of cheap, so-called treeless saddles on the market which are frankly cr*p and often contain some rigid parts - even some of the more expensive ones have some rigid parts in them - and can do a lot of damage to horses' backs, hence the bad press that treeless saddles get.

If you are thinking of going treeless, do some more research before you buy a saddle - there is an excellent bit on "Why go treeless" on www.totalsaddlesolutions.com which you might find interesting.

PM me if you want to ask anything
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I've been riding in my new Barefoot Cheyenne for a month now and I love it. My horse has stopped napping and really swings himself when going downhill. The only thing I don't like is the lack of knee blocks on the saddle but you can buy the saddle pad with them attached for a bit extra. I only decided on buying one as my cob is very wide and I could not find a treed saddle to fit him. I have a wintec wide but can't get hold of the right gullet which may just make it fit (pink one), the purple one being too wide.
 
I have both treed and a HM SBS treeless. My one pony goes really well in the HM and it is extremely comfy and I find it ok to jump in, but wouldn't go over 2' would want something a bit more structured for larger jumps. I was really disappointed when my horse couldn't go in hers, due to a back condition and had to sell it. I ride her in a saddle co saddle, but definately find the HM more comfy to ride in. if you are thinking of getting one there are a lot of company's out there that hire them out before buying. I'd definately recommend you go down this route as they don't suit every horse and you need to try them in it regularly for about a month to see how they truly go.
 
I agree with Rowreach. Go with Total Saddle Solutions. The best and only truely treeless saddles on the market. Come in dressage, gp and jumper styles and look conventional. Your horse will thank you. Very expensive but worth it.
 
Torsion - the ORIGINAL - treeless saddle are, imo the best of the treeless, but I appreciate many do not like the appearance, although they do now make a 'normal' looking version. With the right saddle jumping is absolutely no problem. I find treeless so much more comfortable than any other type of saddle, but please, be aware, they do NOT fit or suit all horses.
 
Thank you that has given me food for thought. I have got a friend's Torsion treeless to try this weekend whilst she is away. We went out today and it felt a bit strange - not as balanced as my GP. But I think it is a bit big for me as I am only 5ft and have short legs - so the flaps came down to my ankles.

Having a lesson in it tomorrow with my physio, so I will see what she thinks about his movement.
 
I agree with Rowreach, I have the Total Saddle Solution Jumper saddle and think its great, Hunt, Drag Hunt (Do the hedges etc) and show Jump (3'9") in it feel secure and horses happy to.
 
I agree with Rowreach - there are a lot of so-called treeless saddles out there which do have rigid parts in them, so are not truly treeless. I think that having a part tree can cause a different set of problems to a full tree, and are not necessarily any better for the horse's back.
The Solution Saddle is as far as I know, the only saddle that is both truly treeless and looks like a proper saddle, not just a leisure pad.
 
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