Which treeless?

[icicle]

Calling all treeless experts!

I'd like to take the plunge and buy a treeless for my 15hh Welsh D. I've had major problems getting a treed saddle to fit and finally plumped for an Ideal Highland and Cob saddle which seems ok. However, it can still slip right round him when mounting!!

I'll sell my H&C which is only 8mnths old and and near perfect condition (worth £650?) so I need a treeless about that price.

Which one do you recommend?

Thanks

[Lisanw]

Hi Icicle,
I'd suggest having a look on Enlightened Equitation - there's a whole section on saddles and plenty of discussion about the different types of treeless. I found a second hand SBS for £700 so, not much more than you'll get for yours. It should arrive soon, and I'll let you know how I get on with it on my friend's horse.

Lisa

www.enlightenedequitation.com/members/forums/index.php

[jinglejoys]

sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/treelesssaddles/

Have a chat here its for treeless saddle addicts

[lc]

Hi,

I have the Heather Moffet Fheonix which is £995 new and the most stable treeless I have tried.
I still have a torsion, but I found this would slip slightly when riding and would eaily slip when mounting, my pony is very flat backed and cobby. These saddles were fine for my friends TB, but I don't think these types of saddle, (torsion, barefoot, dartmoor) would give you any more stability than your current saddle.

I haven't mounted from the ground in my Fheonix, but it hasn't slipped when mounting from the block, or whilst riding. The other problem I had with the torsion was it made my pony very wide to sit across. The Fheonix sits you higher, like a traditional saddle, which has made riding my very wide cob much easier as I can now wrap my legs around her body which I physically couldn't do in the torsion.

I have tried the SBS and it is a lovely saddle, but when they still go for £800+ on ebay I think it's worth investing the extra in the Fheonix, which I personally think is a better saddle.

[Lesley from Kent (Floydsmum)]

Hi

I personally think the Fhoenix is the best treeless saddle on the market at the moment for rider comfort and lateral stability.

Do be careful though, if you have a pony, the 18" will be too big and if you're an adult riding a pony, the 16" may well be too small for your seat.

The second best is the Ansur as they come in a wider variety of rider/horse size combinations. They aren't quite so good for lateral stability as they do not have any panels but if you use a suberpad underneath, problem solved. You can pick up a second hand Ansur on ebay for around £850.

[whiteblazes]

I bought the torsion for my sec D and it fits my irish cob too, really pleased with it ;D

[chunky monkey]

Another vote for the Fhoenix here! I use mine on 2 horses - a very very round HW cob, and a wide Sec D - both have completely flat backs and no wither.

I have always had saddle slipping problems with the HW cob, but the Fhoenix doesn't budge an inch!

The saddle is comfy for the rider, immediately puts you into the correct alignment, and you can rest assured that your saddle will always fit and be comfy for the horse!

Well worth every penny, in my opinion.

x

[beckie]

Torsian saddles are great!I have one and they're really good and stay in place/dont slip I have jumped in it and it was absolutly great!
i looked up ansur saddles and they seem pretty cool as well.

[Cameo]

Each to their own - I have an Ansur which I love and always recommend to people as it is so good for the horse and I have yet to see a horse who doesn't go better in one.
I would say though, to TRY out treeless saddles - as they are all different and their design background is different ( one from endurance, another from dressage etc).