Treeless Saddles... Help please

[annas]

Just wondering if anyone can give me a bit of an idiots guide to treeless. I have not looked into them before (although i tried a HM vogue once) but am considering it now. So i just want to know some general information about them. So for example:

What makes \ models do people find are best?
Has anyone found their horses performance has improved with a treeless? Or has it got worse?
What do you need (pads, different stirrups etc)?
Does the rider feel less balanced in a treeless compared with a treed? Is there more movement in the seat?
Would you look at completely treeless or flexible saddles?

Really just anything about them would be helpful and user experiences would be great.

Thanks

[Deleted]

My only advice really is that you have to try several to make an informed choice, preferably ones of differing types. I'd also suggest you try some tree'd saddles at the same time because unless you do you're not going to know if your horse prefers that. They also need to be fitted properly, not just bought off the internet and plonked on the horse.

My torsion was a disaster (a very expensive one at that) for Talin, it wouldn't stay still, pressed down on his spine and was too long. That was the best fit of 5 treeless that I tried on him. If I'd tried a tree'd saddle I could potentially have saved myself a lot of money and Talin a lot of discomfort.

[shan]

I went through weeks and weeks of searching forums, sites, makes, etc etc before I narrowed my choice down to three. I bought a Barefoot Cheyenne Drytex, and it was absolutely the best thing to have my girl in a treeless (despite a few saddle fitters swearing blind they would be no good for a wide cob!) She was able to really stride out in it and move freely and that was the most important thing.
Anyway, I do use a Barnesby Grip Pad with it as other pads didn't work (no pad was perfect but said mare hated the wooly bit underneath), but it doesn't slip even on the couple of occassions I've had to mount from the floor. I do the girth up quite tight before I get on, but it's not as tight once I'm on board and is still secure. I use a gel-padded dressage girth with the buckles that sit on the material, not on the horse if you know what I mean?
I feel incredibly comfy in my saddle, and the first time we had a big sideways spook I just magically stayed in place!
What I will say about it is I had to shorten my stirrups a few holes to get the right seat, and rising trot took a few goes to get used to at first.
If you buy second hand always check the pommel insert is the right size (if it has one) - or get rid and just pad the pommel out.

[joflo]

I went through a whole saddlery full of tree'd saddles trying to find something that would stay put on my arab (handy that I worked there), nothing did. He also found it impossible to stand still when mounted he was so uncomfortable, he would almost piaffe but not for a good reason. In the end I called out the lady who distributed Freeform saddles to fit him with one. I got on him and he stood still for the first time since I'd bought him. He could move under it, it stayed put and also improved my leg position no end! (Ouch! lol). This was about 7 years ago now though. My 3 year old will need a saddle next year and I'm also looking at getting her a treeless as I'm a fan but I'm also mindful that she MAY go better in a tree'd.... I'm open -minded

[holi]

Also you have to think of yourself. We had a torsion for my OH's horse but I could never ride on it as it was far too wide. I needed something with a twist in the seat for the rider.

[jen1]

the older type pheonix , is just perfect for me sadly there too long for fleur and im not keen on the other newer ones because of my back problems

[chestnutarab]

I have a Dream Team saddle and love it even though I have (since buying it) read some negative feedback.

I find it really secure and great for jumping in and my horse seems to go lovely in it.

I would also reccommend the barefoot Chyeyenne.

I think (liked treed saddles) it depends on you r horse as to which works for you.

You eill also need a treeless numnah if you do decide to go treeless

[helenj]

I have an Acavallo treeless saddle and ride 2 arabs in it, and we all get on fine.

I went to this as I was sharing saddles with the owners who are both smaller than me and their saddles just sat me in the wrong place, which made me and the horses uncomfortable.

It is basically a giant saddle pad with some structure on top. I use a freemax breathable saddle pad with it and it stays put, no slipping (one horse all shoulders and barrell, the other like a racing greyhound).

Having said that, I am concious that my weight is straight onto the horse, and even though I have a reasonable amount of padding under my seat bones, I am building time in the saddle up slowly, paying attention to their fatigue and any signs of discomfort. We are up to a couple of hours and everything fine so far.

Having said that, the horse's owner hates riding in the saddle and can't get comfortable, so this one really is personal taste.