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Chloe and Dolly, Fitform Treeless Saddle.
I bought a Fitform treeless saddle after my mare outgrew 2 treed saddles in a very
short space of time. Treeless saddles are great, because no matter how much the
horse changes shape, they will still fit. My saddle is really comfortable - I
find it really painful riding on a treed saddle nowadays. The saddle is really
soft, so moulds to my horse's back - she likes it too! I can mount from the
ground in it, but it does sometimes slip (mostly when she is moulting or
changing coat), I overcome this problem with a breastplate and non-slip numnah.
The only fault I have with this saddle are the stirrup rings - I would prefer
hooks, so that the leathers would come off in an emergency. But using a Barnes
Buckle or safety stirrups does put your mind at rest.
My pony moves much more freely in this saddle than she did in her treed ones.
She stands still to be tacked up, and is very happy when I do up the girth (I
use a humane girth wrapped in a prolite girth sleeve).
Dag Treeless Saddle
I have a 'Dag' saddle, inflatable. When I first saw it, I was not impressed (it looks
much less conventional than a fitform) but I have come to adore it. It is
hugely comfortable for both rider and pony, and its biggest plus is that it is
almost impossible to fall off! The combination of the cloth saddle, and the
large inflatable structures fore and aft make the rider so secure; much much
more secure than in a conventional saddle, or even another treeless. This is
the saddle to pick for an unpredictable young horse, or else a bucker. It is
also incredibly light weight, being inflatable, even in comparasion with other
treeless saddles. the down side? Well, I cannot imagine showing it it, not
even at local level!
When we got out first treeless saddle, we noticed a huge difference in the way
our pony moved; she was so much more free. My present chap I have only ridden
in a treeless saddle.
Galadriel, Jumping Hackamore
The Jumping Hackamore looks like a traditional English bridle at a glance, but acts
as a sidepull. Wide, soft cavesson band allows for gentle aids.
We use the jumping hackamore for a mare with a broken tooth who despises bits.
She goes much better in the jumping hackamore--or in a halter with reins, for
that matter ;)
Tasha and Kally, HM Flexion SBS Treeless Saddle
Good points - This saddle fits any horse, encourages a correct position for the
rider, gives loads 'feel' of what the horse is doing underneath you and looks
'conventional'. It is fairly lightweight, with soft leather that moulds to the
horse's back and rider's bum.
Bad points - It takes a few minutes to warm it up and mould to horse and rider's
shape in cold weather, so for these few minutes it is not quite so comfortable
for the rider and probably not either for the horse. Ive ridden in snowy
weather and it took max 10 mins for it to warm up and mould, so not a major
problem. It also takes a bit of getting used to at first, because you are more
wrapped around the horse rather than perched on top of it.
Have you noticed any changes in your horse since starting to use this tack?
LOADS!!! She is starting to lose her 'high withers' which are really average
height but with muscle wastage. Her stride length has increased dramatically,
she will accept the bit and take more weight onto her back end, she is generally
happier and more willing to work. I would also argue that this is a combined
result of not only a superb saddle, but the fact that it encourages a much
better leg position than the average saddle allows, so allows the rider to be
more secure and ride to better effect.
Laura and Taz, Dr Cook Bitless Bridle
Taz had had a Dr cooks biltess bridle since 2000 when we sent to America for it ....
at that time there were no UK clinicians.
Taz did not appear to have any serious issues with having a bit and I was
certainly not considering changing from, or adding to, the french link snaffle
to deal with the odd avasive tactic she tried if she did not want to do what I
asked :-)
My main reason for choosing the BB was that I had become increasingly of the
mind that if we did not need something then we would do without.(Taz does not
wear metal shoes either). Another reasons was the premise that if Taz and I
"disagreed" on a direction / request she could not evade the contact of the
bridle ... yet the bridle would not cause pain if inadvertantly too strong /
sudden use occured. When novices or children ride Taz I therefore have no
concern about their use of the reins as I would with a bit in place.
The bridle could also become a headcollar just by snapping one end of reins to
both rings and using them as a leadrope ...... handy on the long / day hacks we
went on!
The first bridle (synthetic) was a bit thin and I hated the reins .... however I
took the snaps off them (a great idea those) and put them on my own reins.
However the bridle lasted four years with only a bit of wear around the
noseband holes before I got a new version .....(beta) a much improved version.
I love the softness and washability of it ... and unless you look close you cant
tell its not leather :-)
It is difficult to say of there have been any changes directly atttributable
to changing to bitless because when we changed over Taz was still fairly early
on in her rehabilitation / reeducation stage - she had behavioural issues
stemming from abuse and had a fear of men / whips / saddles / sudden movements
.... and as for having been backed, well we had to undo whatever had been done
and start again !
However I did notice that she began to carry her head lower ...and when she was
frightened and put her head up I still had a means of communicating my wishes to
her. If she got a bit strong cantering she seemed to be easier to "speak to" and
once I realised this I was not so apprehensive about cantering her in company.
She seemed to like the change because she began to put her own head down into
it when I presented the bridle to her LOL
So Taz has worn the BB throughout the process of evolution from the "tank" ( as
she was know as at the rescue centre) to a wonderful welsh cob my grandchildren
can ride, that my novice friend rides bareback to experience how body moves
alone can steer a horse and that I can ride through town or country in heavy
traffic LOL
Can't say realy say whether the BB has influenced the outcome.... or whether the
same would have happened with a bit ... just that it is possible in a BB
The change however is more noticable in my daughter horse Bonney ........ she
was ridden for all of her 14 years in a bit and continued to be after we got
her. When she came to us it appeared that she had been jabbed in the mouth
during jumping ... she would fling her head up in the air approaching the jump
... and on landing snatch her head down and forward.
Following a period of bitless she was returned to bit by my daughter against my
advice (teen competing and not wanting to be "different") although she was
changed to a rubber mouth pelham and my daughter has good independant seat so no
snatching!!! Although much better she did still have a tendancy to a strong trot
and resist contactand in that pace. However since my daughter has gone to
college I have put Bonney back into BB ... and now she is soooo relaxed and
responsive to both weight and rein aids (even in trot) we have a novice sharer
that rides her with confidence.
Kate and Copper, Scrawbrig Bitless and HM Flexion Treeless
This
is Copper, my arab x, who is nearly 30. He was my first pony and a much loved
member of the family. The above picture was taken 24/04/05 at a mini jump cross
event.
Bitless (scawbrig)- A mild bitless bridle, and prehaps a bit of a risk
considering you cant stop Copper in a pelham if he decides to go. However, he
could already neck rein and often was ridden up to the field with just a
headcollar and we did have control. Excellent bridle for him as he is only
really a happy hacker, with a few jumps thrown in for good measure. The only
disadvantages I can think of is that the sizing is a bit off as a cob size only
just goes round his fine araby nose, also the noseband did rub. I dont think it
would be quite as suitable for a horse with steering issues!
Treeless (Heather Moffat SBS)- This was our last hope of finding something that
would actually fit him. He has had douzens of saddles over the last 7years,
they used to fit him for a month or two, then rub patches started to appear. We
tried a friends SBS first, and Mum fell in love with it. Its a very comfortable
saddle for hacking (once its warmed up!) and popping over little fences, another
advantage is that is is quite light for a leather saddle.
It is a little long for short backed horses, but doesnt seem to cause Copper and
problems. I have jumped bigger fences in it, and it doesnt feel very secure.
Since changing to bitless, there has been no more tanking off with his head on the ground, he doesnt constantly
snatch at the reins, no more evasion (nothing to evade!). He is more
comfortable, and on a recent trip to the dentist he commented on how well his
teeth were doing considering his age, and the EDT did think that bitless was
beneficial for their teeth.
Treeless- This is where the biggest difference lies. Copper used to stumble
alot, used to totter down hills and just didnt feel right through his back. He
has been a mission to fit for a saddle, and as his made to measure quite
obviously didnt fit, it was time to find an alternative. We got the SBS and the
difference was remarkable, he was swinging from the shoulder, stumbling has
almost disapeared, and feels like a different pony.
Pam with Storm Megan Calico and Gypsy, Scrawbrig Bitless and Dr Cook Bitless
Storm leant on the bit, Calico shook her head a lot and Gypsy has not had a bit in at all.
I ride Storm and Calico in a Dr Cook and Gypsy the baby is long lining in a
scarbrig. Megan long lines in the Dr Cook. I first rode Cas in a control halter
after she started head shaking in the bit, she was fine so got the Dr Cook for
her and tried it on the others.
I've noticed quite dramatic changes with Calico - her stride is longer, she no longer head
shakes, she has forgotten how to trot and goes straight into canter from walk.
It is a bit scary at the moment cause she is not used to a nose band and tends
to go through it till she listens to me. She loves the freedom though so will
persevere. Storm has stopped leaning and strides out better too. I am bitless
treeless and bare foot now.
Pam with Storm Megan Calico and Gypsy, Torsion Treeless Saddle
I have a Torsion which I got when I lost my nerve on my mare. I had a made to measure
saddle for her (expensive) and it kept slipping. I fell off a few times and the
last time she got onto a main road. I got the treeless and as I love riding bare
back had no trouble adapting to it. All my horses love it and so one saddle fits
all in my case. I wouldn't change it anyway. No bad points really except they do
sweat more as it is closer fitted. They all got well in it as much to do with me being more relaxed I think. I
don't have any problems anyway.
Tasha and Maddie, Ansur Konklusion Treeless Saddle
I have an Ansur Konklusion treeless saddle that I bought secondhand. Its very well made
and looks just like a treed jumping saddle. It comfortable but I do use a
Heather Moffett seatsaver on it because it it a bit big for me and because my
stirrup leathers are quite chunky without the seatsaver they rub my leg.
I have jumped small jumps in the saddle (upto about 2ft6) and it was fine, very
secure, I also school in it, its not as easy to get a classical position in but
then again it is a jumping saddle so you would't expect it to allow this
easily.Ive also hunted in this saddle and found it great for galloping and
sitting about spooks and naps.
Since using this saddle my horse (16.3hh tb ex-racer with very high withers)
she has strated to develop topline and the muscles behind her withers are
getting larger even though she didn't have muscle wastage.
Cathy and Fifi, Lodge Ropes Bosal
This bosal is from Lodge Ropes. Western bosals are stiff loops and come in different
widths and "stiffness". You can buy them with or without the "hanger" part, and
they are normally used with mecate reins.
Because the rein contact is at the back of the chin, and the pressure is via the
nose, the rider needs to be clear how to adjust their riding, especially for
steering.
I'm still working this out, so can only refer you to some useful books by Ed
Connell. (e.g. Hackamore Reinsman).
Dori, Skye and Legend, Cashel Soft Saddle
I was really excited to receive my Cashel treeless "Soft Saddle." After going through
so many saddles with trees that just didn't fit my Holsteiners, I was certain
something more like a bareback pad with stirrups would be the answer. My horse
really liked it. It freed up her shoulders and had no hard surfaces to hurt
her, but I found it a bit wide and the seat too small. I'm returning the medium
size for a large size to see if it puts my knees in a better position that
aren't over the cinch buckle which irritated my left knee. I ordered the english
girth converters, but after trying the saddle on the horse decided to go with a
western girth that wouldn't have anything extra under my leg. I was
disappointed in the unfinished appearance but I like the foam and it is
comfortable to ride cushioning the horse's gaits. The saddle stayed in place
while I was riding but did slip when I dismounted, but I didn't have the girth
tight enough the first try and the second try it stayed in place. I'm sure
Cashel will be refining this saddle, but then I know the price will go up
substantially. $250 was expensive for what is basically just saddle pads, but I
needed something really soft for a horse that had a pulled back muscle. He was
too green to ride with just a bareback pad and regular treed saddles all seemed
to irritate him and cause bad habits. I am convinced a lot of riding problems
are caused by poor fitting equipment. I am still looking for the perfect
saddle, but until I find it and can afford one, this Soft Saddle will serve it
purpose. (Also, it just hoses off!)
I've only had 2 brief trail rides on the horse without the sore back, but she
liked it and really moved freely. I'm sure it is the answer for the sore backed
horse but didn't want to get the saddle dirty since I am returning it for the
larger size. I am waiting to get the larger size to see if I am more
comfortable. (I'm 5'4" and the medium was too small. I usually ride a 16"
English saddle).
Karin and Miss Bixby, Dr Cook Bitless Bridle and Torsion Trekker Saddle
In May of 2004 we bought a Western trained QH mare.
Early on she displayed some problem behavior under saddle. She was very resistant. We tried different bits, both Western curb bits as well as traditional snaffles.
Because of her behavior during saddling we started searching for a new saddle for her but it was impossible to find anything off the shelf to fit her. We commissioned a custom Western saddle for her. The tree was made to fit a mold of her back. Since the saddle took several months to be completed we rode her bareback in the meantime.
Bareback her behavior improved although we still encountered a lot of resistance in regards to rein aids. It was at that time that we decided to order a Dr Cook’s bitless bridle.
The result was convincing and immediate. She no longer fought us and started being much more reliable and calm on the trails. With her old saddle and traditional bitted bridle she had previously bolted on occasion, seriously injuring her rider. Now she could be safely ridden on trails bitless and bareback.
After 8 months our custom saddle finally arrived but within a few weeks her grumpy attitude during saddling returned. She’d pull faces, bite at the saddle and became overall rather unpleasant. We eventually had to admit defeat and look for another option.
We were able to purchase a used Torsion Trekking saddle and had a Skito pad made for it.
The Skitos are wonderful because they are made for the specific model and size of saddle also taking into consideration special padding needs in regards to rider weight and horse conformation.
We replaced the rigid pommel and cantle blocks with wool roving and in combination with the Skito pad the saddle still allowed for good wither and spine clearance.
She no longer pulls faces and bites at the saddle during tacking up and is very calm and cooperative under saddle. Overall she has become a lot cuddlier and more pleasant to handle. I am attaching a picture to show how nicely she stands now during saddling.
Amelia and Mysty, Torsion Treeless Saddle
I've had a Torsion for nearly a year now and my horse loves it! It always fits, however wide/narrow she gets, and on her it's really stable, I've jumped and done cross country with no problems (and here I should mention that she's still really
learning to jump, we've only gone up to 2ft4" so far!!).
I just got an endurance suber pad that's shaped for this type of saddle. She is very bony in winter however much I feed (TBx), and I felt she needed extra padding. Well, she did, as she's now moving more freely again sideways and is rounding her back better, like she did before she lost the last little bit of weight a couple of months ago (it took the pad 2 months to arrive!). It's great and very stable.
It doesn't suit my roly poly pony though - slips sideways....
She's not been worried about the saddle since I got it (and she used to regard treed saddles with suspicion, as sooner or later she'd change shape and they wouldn't fit). When she got a bit thin she was happy in it and to have the girth done up, but wanted me to be extra careful putting in on gently. Now with the suber she's v happy all round!
Peggy and Mary Kathryn Clark, Barefoot Trimming
For years, I had followed the accepted norm, and shod my competition horses. Not the breeding stock, just the riding ones. Never mind that I was breeding for rock hard feet. AND I always pulled their shoes twice a year so they could grow good feet. When the light bulb went on, Cindy Sullivan took me under her wing, and the shoes came off. I transitioned mine and Mary Kathryn's competition mounts to barefoot and the rest is history. We went to the AERC National Championships in 2005 barefoot, she finished her first 100 barefoot, we Best Conditioned in the rocky trails at Trace Tribute in Tennessee barefoot...now I trim for the public...I want more people to realize the benefits of barefoot. Granted, there is a transition period, but I figured out that it doesn't have to be nerve wracking or slow you down.
My horses now have better traction, cleaner feet, less incidence of thrush, improvement in condition...
Mel Raven with Hamish, Barefoot Cheyenne Treeless Saddle
I have just started using a Barefoot Cheyenne, after 10 months of not riding (he had a sore back, and I was a wimp!). He is a rotund gypsy cob, so this appeared to be my best option after having no success with treed saddles at all (last time I rode he bucked me off to get rid of the pain of the saddle, and I still feel guilty about it!)
The saddle is very comfortable to ride in, although I would comment that the stirrup leathers dug into my legs a bit. However, they will soften and it wasn't that bad really! I also felt very secure in it, even when he was having a stomp at a horse fly.
The saddle looks big at first, but I soon got used to its look. Hamish wasn't bothered anyway - nothing dug into his back at all, even the hardish cantle piece. I was a little worried because he is short backed, but I am large bottomed (!) so had to get the largest size - no problem!
The girth that is supplied with it is nice, but I haven't mastered a way to tighten it while mounted. I am going to buy another girth, probably a humane one, instead.
Hamish steps out with a new confidence - gone is the ploddy cob I rode last summer, welcome to turbo cob! He is more relaxed, and appears to find a new joy in his work now. I cannot recommend this saddle highly enough!
Tamara with Brychen, Trekker Talent Treeless Saddle
My pony doesnt run to the back of the stable and hide when his saddle appears anymore! There aren't pressure points under the stirrup bars which had become an issue in his treed saddle.
I can sit his canter which is an all time first in 11 1/2 years of owning him. I also sit far more upright than I have ever done in a treed saddle. I feel incredibly secure, in fact I hacked out on my own up a main road for the first time in years after a traffic accident on my pony. He moves very freely in it. Bizarrely (because it doesnt have a tree) the sweat patterns are even both sides of the spine with a gap with no sweat across the spine. In a treed saddle he always had sweat marks sort of part across his spine as a very saddle always ended up twisting across his back.
I worry that it rests on his withers and might cause pressure there. I am looking at different pads to avoid this problem. My legs kind of feel like they are put in to a postion and MUST stay there, which wories me for doing things like lateral movements. However I have had waggly leg syndrome for years and the saddle cured that ...
On long hacks my hips hurt on one side, I think I must be twisting or collapsing on one hip which i could get away with in a treed saddle but not in a treeless.
He is a lot happier when he sees the saddle. he is also much more relaxed to hack out, I think becasue I
feel more secure and so I am more relaxed.
He has produced a few lovely round canters, I had given up on the idea of dressage as his canter had got so bad over the years . it wasnt very forward, his back was always rigid and he never ever rounded up. So now I am reconsidering dressage!
Libra Trec, Haf pad and Scawbrig bitless bridle
The Libra Trail in Nubuck Aubourn brown is a beautiful saddle, It was only £160 brand new from Equine Whispers who were very informative and helpful. It is made from lovely materials and feels really comfortable to sit in, really secure with a nice deep seat, I have rode a few horses in it as my filly is too young to ride yet but she has taken to it well for inhand walks and it does'nt even slip with the girth done up loose!
I have chosen the HAf pad to go with my treeless saddle, which i purchased from Helen at freeformuk, The pad has a gel grip side to go against your horse and then a nice suede side for presentation, it has insert pockets on both sides for your shims and moulds really well to the shape of your saddle and your horses back.
My bitless bridle choice is the libbys scrawbigg, this is a comfy, breathable, washable and cheap to purchase bridle. You can attach your own favorite reins if you prefer, It is really useful for me to lead my filly out on inhand hacks and she responds really well to the communication through the reins. I have rode a few horses in the libbys and the brakes are very effective for horses who do not listen to your seat 1st!
Freeform Classic X with poleys
I bought this saddle when I had bother getting a treed saddle to fit my short backed, very very wide cob. He was changing shape rapidly and I couldnt get a treed saddle to fit him. I have been using this saddle for just over a year and have had encouraging results - both my vet and my physio have commented on how much his back has improved since I started using it.
From the start, I felt 100% secure in it. I have never fallen off because the saddle has moved - which happened to me several times in a treed saddle. My horse was instantly improved. Going downhill was no longer the stilted, awkward ordeal it used to be. He was able to stride out happily.
It is supremely comfortable, 3 hour hacks cause my bottom no pain
. It was very strange at the start as I could feel him moving his back under me. I am used to that now but anyone who rides in it for the first time finds it strange till they get used to it.
I had concerns about jumping in it but I have managed to jump about 2' so far - which is as high as I would jump in a treed saddle these days.
It is laterally stable - no more standing on one stirrup to straighten the saddle every few strides. I can mount from the ground with no or very minimal slippage.
Downsides are, lack of twist. This was nearly a dealbreaker for me as I was having major problems with my hips. I have solved that with the treeless pad I am now using which seems to have given me a bit of twist. This would not be an issue with any slightly narrower (normal!) horse but my boy is extremely wide
.I have an ongoing problem with rubbing at the back of the saddle. This problem is worse when he is changing his coat. I have tried various pads (see below for list of pads) but I think I may have solved it with the Mattes Treeless Correction pad. I have to say that although this bothers me, it has never bothered my horse.
I did have slight problems during extended periods of trot but a bit of tweaking the stirrup hanger seems to have solved that. Shimming the back of the pad has also helped with this
In conclusion, I am delighted with my Freeform. It has allowed me to ride my tricky little cob over the last year - I was at the end of my tether with treed and had lost all confidence. This saddle allowed me to feel totally secure which has increased my confidence dramatically.
I still feel that I would probably prefer a treed saddle for jumping any great height but for the moment I am more than happy to jump in the Freeform. I am totally happy with the saddle for all general riding and hacking which is my main interest with my boy.
Pads used and opinions on them
Haf Airnet pad - came with the trial saddle and caused substantial rubbing.
Haf Symanova pad - again caused a fair bit of rubbing - mainly from the binding.
Christ sheepskin treeless pad - nice pad and helped the rubbing. Not totally secure though and I had to use a piece of shelf liner to stop the saddle moving too much. I did use this with suber type inserts though which helped with the lack of twist.
Mattes Treeless correction pad with Pressure Relief panels - love it, love it, love it! This pad is totally secure and as you can shim the front and back of the pad seperately, I was able to lift the back of the saddle slightly which helped with my position. The Pressure Relief panels velcro to the top of the pad and are fairly rigid panels which spread the riders weight. Using this pad has given me great spinal clearance and very even sweat marks! Arnie is considerably happier since I started using this pad. It has been worth the money (£207 including the panels and the shims
).