TreeClix System?

[soloudinhere]

I am considering ordering a new Harry Dabbs dressage saddle. I see they offer something called “TreeClix” which appears to allow you to manipulate the tree size of the saddle in a different manner than adjustable gullets. Over the past few years I’ve had my custom saddles tweaked in the tree many times and this seems attractive as each tree adjustment costs $200.

Any of our resident saddle fitters familiar with this system? The treeclix site doesn’t show anything about how it works. I’d like to understand it better as it’s a pretty minimal upcharge for a pretty expensive saddle.

Thanks!

TreeClix for saddle fitters

[sheltona01]

Yes, I know the person who designed them.

My understanding is it is not something that can be done without dropping the panel. So you are not going to save much money. I also think most saddles trees should not be adjusted with a press. I also have concerns about saddle fitters not knowing that they are there and breaking them.

[soloudinhere]

Well, that’s just it - saving the tree itself would also be important to me. I’m not convinced that adjusting them this much is okay, but there’s not a lot of good ways to do it if you/your horse don’t fit into the Simatree. Padding up the saddle doesn’t always work and obviously, if they get wider it doesn’t help at all.

[sheltona01]

My understanding is the is attached to the tree and can be removed without damage.

No the Simi tree is not a solution for every horse or rider. I don’t believe there will ever be a 1 singular solution for saddle fitting with the current technology. It is way more complex than most people think. I have been saddle fitting professionally for 10 years and feel like I am just scratching the surface.

[sheltona01]

If you like the idea of them, try them. I don’t think they are that expensive and they can be removed.

[js]

So they are like shim tree points that can be changed out? I don’t think you need to have a fitter do this, they just slip out of the front panel, kind of the same thing with changeable gullets. Not sure just how much this would do for a horse since you are only widening or making narrower the tree points and not the rest of the pommel. Interesting though.

[soloudinhere]

Since that is typically what is measured/changed when altering trees in a press, it makes sense that this would be what they aimed to simplify.

It looks like if I have it installed at manufacture there is a way to access it without fully dropping the panel but the video is hard to see.

I’m still waffling on the Harry Dabbs just because the resale value here is so pathetic when I know I’ll eventually have to change saddles. Maybe I’ll just commit to keeping it and ordering a new one if we get there.

Sorry I should be clearer - I’ve had my trees adjusted in a press twice this past year and I am looking for a solution that can save my trees as I’m not convinced they are meant for this many adjustments, but they’ve made a big difference for my horses. I just got a new horse and am thinking about what to get for him.

[sheltona01]

No, it is not something you can just change yourself. It is attached to the underside of the tree points in the panel.

[js]

There are a couple of brands of saddles that have the RTF (rotate to fit) adjustment systems, M Toulouse and Santa Cruz saddles have it, both are slightly different on how they work but the same type of system. I have an M Toulouse with the Genesis system, very simple to use and you can make very small changes to bigger changes in width. I know they aren’t popular, but I have no issue with the system.

[soloudinhere]

referring to the RTF, These saddles don’t work for me as I am petite and the stock flaps are miles wrong for my legs.

[js]

The Santa Cruz saddles are custom, don’t know what options they have, I really don’t know much about them other than they are made in Argentina but they look very nice and are affordable, their system is a big harder to use but might be worth looking at.

Santa Cruz Saddlery

[soloudinhere]

According to the site, you can change colors and stitching etc but the flaps are all standard lengths.

[no.stirrups]

I’ve just dug into my first saddle with TreeClix to see them in person and I’m already a fan! Will work on uploading pictures and video soon.
It makes adjusting a tree WAY easier with no wear and tear to the tree from being pressed. The wedge literally just snaps on and off. Do you have to drop the panels? Yes. But on a Harry Dabbs saddle that is just two screws and a few stitches at the bottom of the leg of the panel. On a Harry Dabbs saddle the panels must be dropped to adjust flocking anyway so it literally is no extra work to check the tree width while the panel is off. I generally only drop the front of the panel, make whatever adjustments I need to tree and/or flock, screw it back on, have the client ride, and once we are sure that everything is finalized then I stitch the leg of the panel back to the flap.
If you suspect that your horse will get wider, then order the tree wider, and use the TreeClix now to narrow the tree to your horse’s current size . As your horse grows you can reduce or remove the TreeClix.
Please let me know if you have additional questions.

[no.stirrups]

TreeClix

Here’s the promised video. Do note again that the panel needs to be removed and then reattached with each adjustment, so not quite as easily as “pop it on and you’re ready to go.” Also, I am aware that I’ve mispronounced “TreeClix” but I don’t care enough to re-do it!

[myhorsefaith]

Thank you for this! Interesting concept - reminds me a little bit of the old thorowgood fish inserts (i guess just the part about them being hard plastic, nothing else is the same lol).

Can the treeclix system be added post production, or does it have to be added as a saddle is being built on a specific tree?

[no.stirrups]

It can be added to wood trees, if the tree points are the right size and shape to accommodate them. I’ve ordered some bases and wedges and hope to receive them later this month and then I’ll be able to further explore what the “right” size and shape are.