I need help with treeless saddles.

[sublimequine]

[QUOTE=saratoga;2748964]
I have a Barefoot Cheyenne. I bought it used from ebay about 1.5 years ago, for about $600 which included all fittings. Its the “older style” model. I bought it for my hard to fit, very wide, round mutton withered Arab mare. It fits her very well, no sliding around or anything. Even now, she is starting to get some more definition as she gets older and fitter, and it still fits fine. I ride quite a bit in it and its still in very good condition. I doubt if it will last as long as a conventional saddle, but I think it was a good deal for the price and I dont expect to have to replace it any time soon. I would recommend a good pad for it.

I think it is comfortable and does not put me in a chair seat. I bought it because my mare was hard to fit- however I have also since found a treed saddle that also fits her- the XW broadback Thorowgood AP saddle. I like treeless saddles but I cant say that I like them better than treed- it just depends on the particular saddle, how it fits you and the horse, etc. My absolute favorite saddle does have a tree.[/QUOTE]

… :eek::eek::eek:!!!

I have that EXACT saddle! The Thorowgood Griffin Broadback AP! In an x-wide! What a small world! :lol:

Ironically, it’s her western saddle that doesn’t fit quite right at the moment. I’m also going to have the trainer look at the english saddle next time, just to make sure.

[saratoga]

the good ol’ Thorowgood! I really like those saddles and it was the only one of many that I’ve tried for her that fit.

My most favorite saddle is the DeSoto. It is an endurance saddle, but western style. Custom made, not cheap- base price of $1500- but I had one made to fit my other very hard to fit horse and it really does fit! My husband was kidding me when i was sending the measurements in that I was wasting my money, since I’d been through so many saddles, but 3 years later I still love it and so comfortable too.

[sublimequine]

Does anyone have experience with the ‘Bandos Trail’ saddle, from AE Saddleworks?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bandos-Trail-Endurance-Trail-Treeless-saddle_W0QQitemZ290170289289QQihZ019QQcategoryZ111280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It’s a good price, but I don’t know about the quality…

[pandorasboxx]

[QUOTE=sublimequine;2749559]
Does anyone have experience with the ‘Bandos Trail’ saddle, from AE Saddleworks?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bandos-Trail-Endurance-Trail-Treeless-saddle_W0QQitemZ290170289289QQihZ019QQcategoryZ111280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It’s a good price, but I don’t know about the quality… [/QUOTE]

I believe that Freeform USA is selling them. This is a new product and they are reputable dealers. Chris, the owner, is an endurance rider and has been testing this saddle with good results.

I’ve never seen one in person but he seems to be a straight shooter. I would give him a call and ask questions. I think he wrote about them on the yahoo treeless saddles group. You could search the archives.

They are a good price and I would have been tempted to test ride one if I hadn’t already purchased 2 Freeforms.

[sublimequine]

[QUOTE=pandorasboxx;2749746]
I believe that Freeform USA is selling them. This is a new product and they are reputable dealers. Chris, the owner, is an endurance rider and has been testing this saddle with good results.

I’ve never seen one in person but he seems to be a straight shooter. I would give him a call and ask questions. I think he wrote about them on the yahoo treeless saddles group. You could search the archives.

They are a good price and I would have been tempted to test ride one if I hadn’t already purchased 2 Freeforms.[/QUOTE]

If it’s by Freeform, it must not be that bad. I’ve heard nothing but good things about those.

There’s actually a Trekker Talent, lightly used, on Tacktrader I contacted the seller about. The only problem with that is no trial on it.

I couldn’t find much about the Bandos on the yahoo group, but I’ve never been in a yahoo group before, so I’m still kinda learning where to find things. :lol:

[system]

I have owned a Rebecca Treeless Saddle that I found very comfortable and well-constructed. They are also called “The Softrider.” The saddle is very affordable at $775. I would still have it, but needed to sell it to buy a Timberline saddle, which I also like very much. I was needing a saddle with more stability on the horse, plus support and security for me than I was able to get from a treeless saddle. The Timberlines are modeled after the OrthoFlex design, with the large, flexible panels that can swivel to match the angle of the horse’s back, within a certain margin.

I think treeless saddles can be ideal, especially for riders like yourself with very broad horses like what you have.

http://softride2.tripod.com/ - Rebecca Treeless saddle web site

[sublimequine]

[QUOTE=SquareOneFarm;2750092]
I have owned a Rebecca Treeless Saddle that I found very comfortable and well-constructed. They are also called “The Softrider.” The saddle is very affordable at $775. I would still have it, but needed to sell it to buy a Timberline saddle, which I also like very much. I was needing a saddle with more stability on the horse, plus support and security for me than I was able to get from a treeless saddle. The Timberlines are modeled after the OrthoFlex design, with the large, flexible panels that can swivel to match the angle of the horse’s back, within a certain margin.

I think treeless saddles can be ideal, especially for riders like yourself with very broad horses like what you have.

http://softride2.tripod.com/ - Rebecca Treeless saddle web site[/QUOTE]

I saw those too, but for that price, I’d rather have something all leather, or nearly all leather.