Treeless Saddle Guide
A Treeless Saddle is a saddle that has a pommel and a cantle made of fiberglass, instead of wooden or synthetic trees, and a seat made with leather and thick pads of foam or other materials that take the place of the bars that connect the fork and cantle. These saddles are very similiar to a bareback pad and are suggested to be more comfortable for the horse and rider. The Treeless Saddle is soft enough to conform to the back of the horse, but rigid enough to clear the spine. Riders have closer contact with the horse's back and it allows the horse to move more freely with a greater range of motion. The rider will sit wider in the seat and is placed a bit further back as not to ride up on the withers. A saddle pad made especially for Treeless Saddles should be used to help with weight distribution. Treeless Saddles will fit many horses and they are great for short backed horses or a horse that is hard to fit, but the horse will have to be measured as not all Treeless Saddles will fit all horses. Treeless Saddles are very lightweight and will weigh around 6-8 pounds.
There are many different styles of Treeless Saddles including endurance, trail and barrel . Many trail riders also prefer Treeless Saddles.
While some riders love Treeless Saddles and would never go back to a conventional saddle, there are a few things to consider if you are thinking about a Treeless Saddle. Some riders say that the saddle rides low and puts pressure on the spine, and that the saddle tends to slip from side to side because it isn't stable without the bars. Some Treeless Saddles have a tendency to slip while mounting and riding. A non-slip pad and mounting from blocks would be helpful as well as using a breastplate to help prevent the saddle from turning.
Since Treeless Saddles have slightly less form than traditional saddles, they are comparable to riding bareback. For riders who don't have much experience on a horse, or who need a saddle to stay on, a conventional treed saddle may be better. Treeless Saddles also may take some time to get used to.
There are many choices to make regarding the perfect saddle for you and your horse. Treeless Saddles are becoming more popular everyday as many riders enjoy the comfort and closer contact with the horse while riding a Treeless Saddle, but they are not for everyone. Depending on what you do with your horse, Treeless Saddles can be a great alternative to traditional saddles.