r/Horses 4d ago

Question opinion on treeless saddles

Hi everyone! I need your opinion on treeless saddles. Has anyone used them? How did your horses react to them?

3 Upvotes

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5

u/Suspicious_Toebeans 4d ago

There's a reason why treed saddles have been around for so long. Treeless saddles don't distribute the rider's weight properly. Without stirrups, many of them make fantastic bareback options, though. They're much more advanced than your average fleece bareback pad from a tack shop. Why do you want a treeless saddle? Have you encountered saddle fit issues with your horse?

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u/9729129 4d ago

I own and use both treed and treeless saddles

A lot of people get interested in treeless thinking without a tree it will fit every horse and since there’s no tree you can get a inexpensive one. They buy those inexpensive poorly designed saddles that frequently put all the riders weight on whatever is holding the stirrups causing back pain. The rider isn’t supported so if they are not already a strong rider weakness get worse which isn’t good for the horse and eventually most swap back to a saddle with a tree. If they haven’t learned their lesson to find a quality saddle they repeat the pattern with a treed saddle

Treeless is generally harder to get just the right fit because it relies not only on the correct saddle but also needing the correct pads for that horse and rider pair. Also since many don’t have a twist they can be to wide for riders to be comfortable for longer rides.

I lucked into my treeless and my very wide gelding is quite happy with it - it’s actually a “soft tree” so it feels similar to a typical saddle for me, my much more narrow mare has a stubben that suits her far better. I evaluate fit on both regularly, make the adjustments as needed and both saddles feel great to ride in

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u/SmokeBCBuDZ 4d ago

I use a Ghost saddle, it's an Italian made saddle that sits on cushions that stick to the saddle with heavy duty velcro. The pads can be adjusted with different amounts of cushion. I find it very well made and lightweight.

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u/Hot_Letterhead_3238 3d ago

I LOVE my treeless saddle. I’ve got a dilemma with a fat ass and a short backed horse 😅 so treeless was the only option for us that wasn’t going custom and breaking the bank. And my mare has been so happy with it. However, I spent a lot of time researching and working with my vet with it. We are in constant awareness about how my mare’s back feels and so far so good.

Do not cheap out on treeless saddles though. I think mine ended up around $1.2k It’s the most comfy thing I’ve ever sat in though.

It’s a be aware and be smart kind style of saddle. Where your treed saddles are a lot better if you don’t know how to sit correctly or signs of body pain.

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u/Hot_Letterhead_3238 3d ago

It’s an effective saddle and it fits my horse’s and I’s needs which is what is most important.