We are going treeless !!! So excited !

Shysmum

Shysmum

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I've taken the plunge and done it :eek: Bought a fab Trekker Talent 2 from ebay at a fab price, and cannot WAIT for it to arrive :)

Shy has been bucking with his thorowgood extra wide cob, and he's really growing out and up; the backman suggested treeless while he is growing so fast. I like riding in them, as they have them at RDA, and I also love riding bareback. I have tried the wintec wide, and didn't like it.

Anyways, I have done about six months research into treeless, no kidding. I have looked at every model going, checking out reviews for each, and I got so very confused. I want to do small jumps, lots of "trek type" hacks, and have something that doesn't slip obviously - to be tried out of course. I also really like the fact that you are supported more with the trekker, and it'll be good for my dodgy back.

Other makes I really liked were the Heather Moffett and the Dream Team, but these were over my price range :( - but may be revisited in the future. It was a close shave between Trekker and Barefoot Cheyenne, but I managed to wangle such a good deal on the Trekker that it won !!! Plus I've had to buy all the extra vitals, but had budgeted for these ( another major consideration).

Will report back, as I know there is an awful lot of debate and confusion on treeless. I have read every single post on this forum, and most others too, have looked at Libra, Copperbeech, Barefoot, Trekker, the expensive ones, and basically anything "Branded". So much to wade thru, and avoid !

I'm riding bareback till it arrives... Anyone else looking at taking the plunge ?

sm xx
 
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Good luck shysmum, let us know how you get on. I took the plunge many years ago and now have a lovely collection of treeless saddles. Treed saddles feel wierd to ride in now.
 
there's a cheyenne on ebay, finishing in a few hours - I was so close ! But the lack of the knee rolls swayed it - tho I do love riding in the cheyenne :)
 
I have a treeless dressage saddle (Barefoot London) and a treed jumping saddle. I wanted to go treeless as I would have never been able to afford a treed dressage saddle that I would like enough and also be able to afford!

My treeless is great, fab for long slow hacks when my jumping saddle used to give me a sore back. :)
 
Without wishing to sound like a numpty are the treeless saddles best for the cob types then or do they suit any size/shape? In a nutshell what's the biggest benefit ( other than the fact that the horse may be still growing and changing shape?
 
Sorry if highjacking, but I'm thinking of going treeless too! Also have been avidly reading every post on here.

A friend ordered a brand new Barefoot saddle; and was mega disappointed in it. Basically the quality wasn't the same as other (older) Barefoot's she'd seen, plus (her words) it would've fitted a camel better than a horse!

I'm thinking of the Heather Moffatt range: a bit pricey but they do seem to keep their value and I've seen a few on e-bay.

So well done OP for making the decision! Hope it goes OK for you.
 
hahaha!! MJTBT, I have followed your posts about your thinking of taking the plunge - your dilemma has been the exact same as mine :D. I was going to PM you and ask if you'd made a decision !

I was seriously considering the HM range, but will have to go back to that when I'm not quite as poor. If you can afford it, I really do think they are they best out there in many ways (tho I know many of equal value are also said to be as good, don't want to cause any debate). There is a Vogue on ebay now for £800 odd........and I'm sure I crossed a few Phoenix's, but they weren't right for us, sadly.

I think the Barefoot is like marmite tbh (as are treeless saddles). I liked riding in it, but want to be able to jump, so the cheyenne was out.

The benefits of treeless (for me) are that the horse seems to have a lot more freedom to move, and sems to be much looser throughout the back and shoulders. You can feel this movement beneath you, and it's like being part of the horse. The horse is less constricted, and many treeless saddles just mould to the horses shape, and keep changing with the horse, so there is not usually a fitting issue. Treeless can be suitable for any type of horse - BUT you must do a lot of research, and ask the sellers questions - and only go for branded makes. Avoid the Indian made stuff ( the cheapies). You can do more harm than good if you use those.

I found this helpful ;

http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/TREELESS-SADDLE-TIPS_W0QQugidZ10000000010716284

and have read everything I can to be able to make a reasonable stab in the dark. ;)

I cannot wait, and will report back every step of the way :)
 
I rode in ordinary saddles for years but went treeless around 5 years ago.

Benefits include; lightweight, easy to adjust, fits all shapes and sizes. You can use 1 saddle for a range o horses.

Ive ridden in other treeless but now have two, HM fhoenix, both slightly different models. One is fitted with wedge panels for my high withered TB. The other has flat panels for my cob. Both ride very well in them, no complaints at any pace. Saddle never slips with the dressage girths (pro-choice for one and a ordinary wintec for the other). I tack both with the memory foam pad too.

They have improved my riding as i can feel each muscle of my horses back so much easier without the rigidity of the treed types. The horses gaits are much improved and flexible.

Whilst i can appreciate that a lovely, perfectly fitting treed saddle does perform well, it has no room for weight or muscle changes in a horse. My horses weight fluctuates over the year and so does their fitness, i never have to adjust my saddle, only how many holes my girth goes up.

People have said they have trouble tightening their girths but whilst it can be fiddly on top, good balance and a patiently standing horse seems to be the key. I try not to mount from the ground but when needs must on a hack for example, my saddles stay where their meant fo be.

I have recently taken on another horse, for which i need a saddle and am looking at the HM GPT but i was hoping for a saddle that has a higher pommel and cantle, similar to a western seat style for my v novice hubby.....anyone have any thoughts?
 
Congrats on going treeless.

I have just done the same! My XXW Traditional did not fit wintec or Thorowgood saddles and being him short back and me being big bummed we were between a rock and a hard place. They were too small for me or too long for him.

I investigated the treeless too and decided on the Barefoot range. I ordered and tried a Barefoot Cherokee size 2. It was fab on horsey, but useless for me. I am around 5ft 3 (with shoes on) and my legs were too short for it. The knee rolls I was desperate for (in case I got brave and wanted to jump) were so low down they were more like ankle rolls! My legs stuck out at right angles and I couldnt make contact with his sides....it was uncomfortable and I felt very unstable....it also weighed tonne! 13lbs.

Needless to say despite the outstanding quality, the Cherokee went back.

I then decided on a trial of Cheyenne...the lack of saddle flaps and knee rolls meant close contact and I chose the "dry tex" (synthetic) version which weighs about half what the leather does.

OMG! The Cheyenne drytex is the most comfortable saddle I have ever sat in! I feel safe, comfy and in very close contact with my horse. It is sooo light and easy to handle and by the end of my 20 minute hack it felt like a well worn glove. Pony loved it too. A great price as well!

SO for anyone considering treeless, I vote Barefoot Cheyenne (with knobs on!) lol.
 
I have ridden treeless for about 5 years, I started with a trekker talent but hated the absence of knee rolls as I am only 5ft it felt very wide on my fjord.

I have sat in a torsion on a very wide cob and again hated the absence of knee rolls it felt very wide.

I have had for 4 years a nickers sensation I have to say they are fab to ride in, they have a twist so do not feel like you are sat on a barrel when you only have short legs and are very comfortable for long treks, only down side is they are pricey.
 
it's fascinating to read about treeless saddles.. does anyone know if they can be good for dressage? do any pros ride in them?
 
I've been riding my horse treeless for 4 years now.

We couldn't find a treed saddle that fitted her without getting one made.

My horses weight can fluctuate so the treeless works well with that.

We've on our fourth saddle now, 1st was a dressage Equilibrium, nice, but no good for jumping. 2nd was unbranded and nearly sterilised me :eek:, 3rd was Heather Moffet SBS, really comfortable seat, but very wide and unstable, 4th is a Total Saddle Solution GP, LOVE IT!!

It's really light weight, so I don't mind eating a couple more cream cakes.

It moves with my horses weight gain and loss.

It looks fairly traditional.

It is VERY comfortable.
 
well it's arrived today, together with the flexi-girth. I've sat on the back of the sofa on it, and am a bit worried that the pommel will dig into my voluminous thighs tho :eek: I'm a size 14, and it says that the saddle is for up to size 16.

I looked at the cheyenne drytex long and hard, as we do like swimming, but the reason i didn't go for it is that it says that if you ride long hours, it may be better to go for a leather version. Oh my god, it's swings and roundabouts.

But I came off yesterday bareback, so I am praying we get it sorted asap. Shy is full of beans atm (looks beautiful :p), but the dog spooked him coming out of a hedge and that was it.

Keep you posted sm x
 
NOPE all gone wrong. :( Very sad to report that my new treeless saddle if far too small for a size 14, tho it fitted Shy really well. The pommel dug into my thighs, and after half an hour, I have small spots of bruising :eek:

I mentioned my sizing worry to the company this morning when I had tried it on the sofa (but thanked them for the super fast postage), and I've had a reply that I would need to ride in it for several HOURS to get used to the seat as it's a different way of riding. I understand that point, but there was no way. On the one hand the pommel would have been fab for holding on to (on a youngster ;)), but it is far too prominent, and cuts into the seat area. And my thighs.

BUT the saddle didn't slip, even when I mounted from the ground ! Could that be the flexi - girth ?

Anyways, I'll see what the seller says, but am really disappointed. Still no saddle :(
 
giveitago said:
I have recently taken on another horse, for which i need a saddle and am looking at the HM GPT but i was hoping for a saddle that has a higher pommel and cantle, similar to a western seat style for my v novice hubby.....anyone have any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Have you looked at the Trekker Pro Endurance?

http://www.equinewhispers.co.uk/sho...endurance-classic-treeless-saddle/prod_1.html

I have one - it was for a Haflinger who bucked for England and didn't like the flat underneath style treefree saddles:D I love it - it aint pretty but very difficult to fall out of, the horses seem to like it and there isn't the weight restrictions, fancy pads and safety stirrup requirements that some TF saddles have.

If you're anywhere near me, you're welcome to have a go on it!

Shysmum,

Hope you sort out your saddle woes. I rode in a Freemax once and hated it, the knee and thigh rolls really pinched, probably more to do with my fat legs though, rather than anything wrong with the saddle :eek:
 
The seller has been fab, and I'm returning the Trekker. She says the underneath should measure 21 ", but it barely actually measures 20 ", so i do think the saddle it too small. I cannot believe the bruises that have come up on my thighs tho :eek: I thought about maybe having to photograph them, but fortunately that won't be necessary :o

Anyways, I have done the deed and bought my "other side of the coin" saddle - a brand new Barefoot Cheyenne Drytex. Which means I have to get safety stirrups, blah, blah, blah. God why did I start on this ? :rolleyes: I have ridden in the cheyenne before, but thought the extra security of that bloody Trekker pommel would help me with the bucking. But if I get the saddle right, the bucking might stop.

Watch this space, eh......
 
I hope you have more luck with the Cheyenne!

I've been riding out for a friend recently, she has a treeless Libra saddle on her lovely cob (don't know any more than that about the model, sorry). I ached like mad after first riding in it! Like your seller said, found it so different, feels like it really opens your hips and keeps your lower leg right back. High pommel & cantle make me feel really secure, and I can feel so much more of the movement through his back.

Been switching back and forth between riding treeless for my friend, and then treed on my horse (Jeffries). I'm now actually thinking of making the change myself, certainly for hacking. I'll prob keep my Jeffries for competing & schooling etc, and invest in a treeless for long, wandering hacks. It really is so comfy!

Let us know how you get on with the Cheyenne :)
 
Ooooooooo I hope you manage to find one that's ok for you - will you stick with Libra ? I will keep you posted on the cheyenne. If it doesn't work, I'm going to have to either spend out a fortune on a heather moffett :rolleyes:, or revisit thorowgood cob xxxxxxwide gullet/s.

Whatever happens, this will be an expensive learning curve. *sigh* ;)
 
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