Using your treeless saddle

ADVICE AND HINTS RE USING YOUR TREELESS SADDLE

Treeless saddles ,whilst being more versatile in their fit, still require care in ensuring a correct fit for the horse or pony. This is usually achieved by the use of seamfree pads and shims( extra padding placed in pockets on the basic pad).

All pads for treeless saddles must be free of seams , especially in the area of the spine, but as long as this rule is applied there are in fact many styles and types of pads that can be considered. If the horse or pony has a flat back and well covered spine it may only require a basic pad. We have found the Polypad type pads or the Griffin Nuumed HiWither pads work well , but any similar style will do.

However , it may be that to get the best fit you will require more than this. A lot of pads specifically for treeless saddles are now made, and these will often have extra padding in the area equivalent to the weight bearing areas on an English saddle. Some will also have pockets in the same areas to allow the addition of extra padding if required. The main aim is to ensure that the saddle is level , and that there is wither clearance. You may find that the clearance is not as large as that usually seen with a traditional saddle , but the aim is to ensure that there is no contact on the withers once the rider is mounted.

Unless using the fenders and stirrups supplied with the western style saddle , we recommend that you always use safety stirrups. For added comfort we also recommend the use of t-bar style stirrups(such as Webbers) as these will avoid any bulk under the riders thighs.

In most cases, unless your horse is very well built around the girth area , a dressage length girth will be required. The style and material are down to individual preference , but we would recommend those described as being “sticky”  and or the type with some stretch in them. It is recommended that where possible you mount from a mounting block or other raised area to prevent pulling the saddle off balance , but on the narrower shaped horses it is possible to mount from the ground without the saddle slipping ,if required.

If you have any questions at all regarding the fitting of the saddle we will always be happy to assist.

As the rider you may find that the saddle feels wider than you are used to, but this will usually feel more normal after a few rides. However, anyone with hip problems should note that this may be a problem. As a rule once you adjust to the position you will start to feel your horses back move under you, and this can often assist in anticipating their next move, which can be very helpful at times!

From personal experience we have found the saddles to be comfortable and secure, and are wearing very well after well over a years use now.