treeless saddles what are your views on them?

Question

as i am thinking of getting one for my cob as he has no whithers and having problems fitting any gp saddles at the moment and no one has a treeless saddle for me to try were i live.if do buy one what treeless saddle will be the best.i will only be mainly hacking and schooling in it but would like to do abit jumping aswell

thanks Zeb G for offering your barefoot for me to try but i live in easington near co/durham and i dont have transport as i dont drive yet .

Answer 1

I LOVE mine!!! I have 151 acres in WY & I work my Morgans in them with cow (no roping off them) I trail ride 5hour rides. I love the feel! I can use mine on ALL of my horses!! I own 25 Morgans & 10 Mustangs. I have used on my sisters Friesian horses. I have NEVER had a problem with mine. I have had 2 of them over a 11yr time. I have Bob Mashalls. They have never fell a part!!! I have never had a slipping problem!!!!! I have never had a problem with my horse, some people clame this. I don't buy it!!!!!!!! I think the are AWSOME saddles!!! You should try one!! I ride bareback most of the time, so if you like close contact you will love them!!!!!!

Answer 2

I have decidedly mixed feelings on treeless saddles. I've been riding for many years, even done some breaking and training as well as lessons over the years. About 5 years ago I bought an Ansur Carlton treeless saddle intending it for my TB who had back problems. Unfortunately my TB hated the saddle. He's toss his head, wring his tail, and refuse to go forward. I tried it on my friend's TB who also would not move forward in it. Both were narrow TB types with a protruding spine and high withers. When I put the Ansur on my Warmblood/TB cross who had a broader back and more normal withers, he went fine in it. He went fine in any saddle though, and I never noticed a difference in how he went between the treeless and a regular treed saddle. So I sold the Ansur (for considerably less than I paid too!) since the horse didn't care and I prefer the feel of a regular treed saddle myself. Now I have a little QH/Morgan gelding who also has back problems, mostly in the lumbar and sacroiliac areas (behind the saddle over the loin). I had a regular saddle which I'd had professionally fitted, and everyone from my vet, chiropractor, and massage therapist said none of his problems were saddle-related. His back was never sore under the saddle, just the area behind it. He also had soreness in one stifle. The vet wanted to do joint injections and shock wave on his back but I declined. Well one day on a whim I picked up an Ansur treeless saddle at a local store just to try. Since I've been using the Ansur my horse doesn't get nearly as sore and he's not had a single lame day. He's so much more relaxed it's unbelievable! I used to have to give constant half-halts or he'd rush off in the trot, and always felt like I had to "hold him together" with my reins. Now I can just get up in 2-point on a long rein and he just plods along. He's so much happier and just more comfortable. He does have a broad flat back with a low withers so it seems to me he's a much better candidate for a treeless saddle than a TB type. The other people I know who like treeless saddles are also riding cobs, draft crosses, etc with a broad and relatively flat back, so that may be the key. I don't personally know anyone riding a high-withered TB type in a treeless saddle. Maybe since my horse has legitimate physical problems already that's why he prefers the treeless saddle? Anyway, I don't like the saddle for myself. With no twist it spreads me too wide and doesn't offer the same support of a traditional saddle. My horse is quiet and not a big mover so I'm ok, but I wouldn't want to ride a horse who is spooky or a big mover in the Ansur. But my horse obviously loves it so much, I wouldn't ride him in anything else. NO saddle is right for ALL horses! At least that's been my experience. If you like the feel of riding bareback, but with stirrups, you'll love the treeless saddles. If your horses are all relatively broad and flat backed, they'll probably like it too. In addition to the Ansur brand, I've always been intrigued by the saddles made by Enlightened Equitation. You should check them out too. I think it's a UK company.

Answer 3

Well, if a person can't ride and distribute their own weight properly, then no saddle, treed or not, will fix this.

I have never seen any back issues that stemmed from riding in a treeless saddle. I have seen back issues stem from improper balance of the rider, or a shoddy made saddle/saddle that didn't fit.

I suggest you do a google search and look at all the companies and brands big and small, then go to sites that don’t belong to those companies and read reviews. I couldn’t tell you what brand of saddle would work best for you and your horse. Bob Marshall, the brand that brought the treeless saddle back into fashion, does have English versions (I think they call the Nickers, you can find them on the bob marshall website). It is also suggested that you get a special pad, designed for treeless saddles, to use instead of the regular saddle pads. At least with the Western style, English might be different.

http://sportsaddle.com is the Bob Marshall website, I believe.

http://loristack.com/skitopad.htm - here are some pads that will help with any weight distribution problems, but won't cure them if they stem from bad riding. I've never used them when riding treeless, but a lot of people swear by them. They have them in English, I think.

Answer 4

I have ridden in a Circle Y Bob Marshall Treeless saddle since December 1998. Circle Y no longer makes this saddle. However the original Bob Marshall Treeless saddle is still made. I love mine. I have ridden it on multiple horses and have had no trouble with it causing problems. My mom bought a second one for me, but has since begun using it and loves it as well. You either love them or hate them. There really is no in between on them. If you are looking to purchase one I would suggest finding someone who owns one, or going to a tack shop with your horse and if you know the owner trying the saddle for a few minutes before putting out the money on one. I have also been told that the Hilason (i don't remember the name exactly) are cheaply made, and basically you get what you pay for. The Bob Marshall's are more expensive, but last a lot longer.

Answer 5

I rode in a treeless (Barefoot) for three years on my xw cob.For a while it was really great. He loved it and could really move through his shoulder. My problem was that I am quite narrow in the hip (size 3 feet apparently an indication of depth of pelvis) and the saddle spread my pelvis just that bit to far oooch!!! I had to give it up.
I am now the very proud owner of a Wintc 500 the tree has an interchangeable gullet that goes up to xxx wide. It's enough to lift me off his back. Forester also make saddles for natives. Give them a look up.
if you live near me you can borrow my Barefoot to see how you get on if you like

Answer 6

Actually, treeless saddles come in both western and english designs. They are becoming more and more popular with heavy horses since these big horses are so hard to fit.

I am unfamilure with all the brands, however friends of mine that use them, love them...(theirs are western). Do some research and try to ride a few before you make up your mind. Maybe I am too old to learn new tricks, but I was not as fond of them as my friends, but you may love them.

Answer 7

There are alot to choose from,

I am currently looking into a Bob Marshall trail model (those are western ones)

If your into English, I have seen great reviews on Ansur's.

Someone here rides in a hilason, they say they love it. I sat in it once and hated it. So its really a personal opinion, but I would definately try one before putting out the money.

Answer 8

I think having a saddle without a tree is pretty pointless but I have a friend who loves hers. I guess it just depends on what you like. Maybe you should try riding in one before you but one.

Answer 9

Wow, there are some very strange and nasty people on here!
I use treeless on all my horses and they are fantastic, I have 3 Barefoot Cheyenne's (gp) and a Barefoot London (dressage) and my horses perform better de-treed than with traditional saddles by far.
There are several very good treeless manufacturers, notably Torsion, Barefoot & Trekker, although having tried most I have to say the Barefoot seem to be the best imho as you can change pommel and cantle inserts to fit one saddle to many different shaped horses and the thick sheepskin doesn't interfere with being able to feel your horses movement the way that some of the foam backed ones do.

Good luck in your treeless hunt, your horse will feel very different in one (in a good way) as he will be able to move his entire topline far more freely and will offer you much more than he would with a stiff old tree!

Answer 10

Frosty, treeless saddles are NOT english saddles, thank you! We have lovely treed saddles that are made for each disciline. As to the treeless thing...Can I please please point out the Native Pony Saddle Company who can and will have a saddle for the widest cob...a real super saddle. We have several and they are great even for xxxw beasties. Google them!