Using a normal numnah UNDER a treeless saddle & treeless saddle pad??

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aradiagreen

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Hi,

I'm currently using a Barefoot 'Cheyenne' treeless saddle with the Barefoot saddle pad. I am aware that you need to use a proper treeless saddle pad with these saddles and NOT a normal numnah to ensure proper spinal clearance. However, a lady I know uses a normal numnah under the treeless saddle pad (between it and the horse's back) to stop her expensive treeless pad getting dirty. Is this ok or does it just stop the benefit of the treeless saddle pad?

I have used a 'gel-eaze' pad between my treeless saddle pad and my pony's back as I was having real problems with the saddle slipping (he has a short, flat back and big round tummy!:(). I hoped that it wouldn't be a problem as it was so soft and stretchy. When I got back from rides his sweat marks showed a clear channel down his spine so I thought it would be ok....

What do you think?
 
If the numnah is smaller than the pad/saddle then I wouldn't as I would imagine you will be creating pressure at the numnah's edges, just like using a numnah that doesn't fit a treed saddle really.
 
I used to use a numnah underneath the prolite pad I used. As said, if the numnah were smaller it may cause pressure points, but I do not see the issue if the numnah covers a larger area than the pad...
 
I just got a treeless saddle. Not a branded one (I'm a skint equestrian lol) hadn't even thought about a numnah 🙊 i have a large square one i used with my treed saddle that i was just going to use, would that still work?
 
What treeless saddle have you bought @Tamsin84 and what shape is your horse? You really must use the right pad with the saddle if you are to get the most out of it, particularly if you need to shim or otherwise fine tune the fit to enjoy optimal results (it is NOT just a case of bung it on and it will fit anything straight from the box!)
 
Please don't say its one of the cheap Chinese imports...they need burning.

In answer to the question, I have seen a polypad used. Not what you have described though. I wouldnt do it.
 
I've ridden in a Barefoot and also other treeless saddles. Currently using the Total Contact Saddle (TCS).

I can appreciate the reason for using a numnah "under" the BF saddle pad; they do get mucky quickly and also are not exactly easy to wash (I've still got my Physio pad and can't get the darn thing into my little machine!). But my main concern would be bulking-up under the saddle; I'd suggest a slimline pad such as an EasyTrek (which is what I use with the TCS) which gives a little bit of grip but not too much to be a problem. Also I found that the choice of girth helped with slippage issues; I found a neoprene girth was helpful in this regard.

With the gel pad next to your horse's back OP, I can understand your reasoning, but my concern here would be the "Chinese Burn" effect of the rubbery gel-pad rubbing against your horse's coat. I did have a Limpet pad at one time, but after reading about the "Chinese Burn" effect (think it was on this forum actually), I stopped using the thing. Hope you don't mind my saying.
 
kaiserchief said:
What treeless saddle have you bought @Tamsin84 and what shape is your horse? You really must use the right pad with the saddle if you are to get the most out of it, particularly if you need to shim or otherwise fine tune the fit to enjoy optimal results (it is NOT just a case of bung it on and it will fit anything straight from the box!)
Click to expand...
It was one from Ebay (brand new but not branded) I genuinely got a treeless because I thought i could put it on and it would mould to fit him. Didn't think I'd have to be faffing about getting a saddle fitter out for a pad 🤦‍♀️
 
It sounds like you have bought a cheap Chinese knockoff which could be very poorly made and will aggravate rather than aid any existing saddling issues. That combined with not using appropriate padding will be a recipe for disaster. In all honesty, I would return it (you have 14 days by distance selling law to return it unused) and buy a decent secondhand branded saddle with the correct accessories and learn about fitting treeless saddles to get the best results.

Decent buys on eBay at the moment (if they would fit you/your horse - they really are not one-size-fits-all) would be:

- Torsion treeless with Equitex pad.
- Freeform with Torsion pad (I'd rather a Haf or Equitex pad, though the Torsion pad may allow for shims - it's hard to tell from the advert).

There are probably plenty more on Marketplace too and if you're lucky you may find a knowledgeable seller fairly locally who could come and set up the saddle on your horse.

This is a pretty decent video discussing treeless saddles and how to fit them:
 
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