Treeless for pleasure

[paintedtrails]

Hi there, I have been reading all the different threads on treeless saddles and I am so confused! I tried out a Barefoot and loved it, but the cost is hard to swallow, as I am only a pleasure rider (trails and some indoor work)!
I have looked at so many kinds, and the less expensive ones have reviews across the board from hate it to love it!
I saw the Bandos on TackTrader.com, very few reviews on it though (who is AE saddle works BTW?). Hilason seems the most cost effective, but I see many reviews that don’t like it. Ebay of course has no-name ones, Sydney Saddleworks (again mixed reviews) and this Jollysun brand?

I have shoulder issues, so lifting a heavy saddle is not good for me, and the weight of the treeless is just what I need. I don’t want to waste my money on a crappy cheap saddle, but the cost of that is the same as trying the big brands…

Can anyone offer some advice? Thanks!

[Auventera_Two]

I can vouch for the Bandos. AE Saddleworks is a division of Freeform. I have the Bandos and I LOVE IT. It is extremely well made. The leather is great. It’s comfortable. Just all round, great saddle.

Chris Martin that works for Freeform was responsible for creating the Bandos and he posts on the treeless saddle yahoo group. He’s a super nice guy! Apparently a lot of research and testing went into the saddle. I just found all this out recently, as I just got my saddle maybe a month ago or so??

If you join the “treeless saddles” yahoo group, you can click on the Photos folder and see pics of my Bandos in there. You can also ask questions there.

It is so light. I took out the hard pommel and stuffed with soft material. The whole thing with all fittings and girth is probably right around 10 pounds. I’m seriously considering replacing the cantle too but haven’t decided for sure yet.

I guess I really can’t say enough about this saddle. It stays put on my horse, is very comfortable, well balanced, and with 13 d-rings, holy shoot you can tie on anything you want.

[pandorasboxx]

Well, I think that the Bandos was developed by the folks that make the Free Form, which is a very nice treeless saddle. I bought my FFs from the dealer in CA who test rode the Bandos in endurance. www.freeformusa.com

I would contact him. See if you can get a trial period. This would be my choice over a Hilason.

This is a saddle that a number of folks are interested in so if you do test ride it please make sure to post your reslts.

LOL-I just say A2’s post. I just may spring for one as a back-up. A2, let us know when you test on an endurance ride.

[paintedtrails]

Thanks!

Thanks for the replies, I have been in contact with Chris regarding the Bandos, so I can pursue that route easily

It sounds like most treeless saddles you have to remove the pommel material and go softer, is that common?

Have a great weekend!

[CowGirlSoap]

I’ve had a hilason western- loved it. It took a couple of good rides to break in and just that long to get used to, but then it was a great saddle. I just wasn’t comfortable riding with the horn and wanted to try the barefoot style. I did like how high the cantle was and it was rough-out leather so I was very secure.

I borrowed a barefoot and it was comfy… but I didn’t feel as secure- the pommel was a bit low and I thought if my horse stopped quickly I might slide right up her neck, lol.

I bought a sydney saddleworks and LOVE it! Again, it has the suede so it’s very grippy in any pants. I removed the firm cantle and stuffed like crazy with fleece scraps. It made the seat smaller, I thought I might not fit, lol. But it is SO comfy and I don’t have to worry about the cantle being a pressure problem. I removed the pommel, but found that on my arab it slipped forward onto her shoulder, so I put the fiberglass back in.

We also just bought a really cheap ebay saddle… same general style, fairly well put together for the price. It is my daughter’s first saddle. I need to put some more holes in the billets so we can tighten the girth more and I need to add another insert to our pad for her withers (the pommel seems a bit snug, though she moves out just fine).

All in all, I’ve found that treeless saddle buying should be easier and cheaper! LOL Of the treelees saddles I’ve ridden in, I’d rate the sydney saddleworks first, followed by the barefoot, hilason and then the nameless.

I’m making my own (that’s a whole thread in itself!) because I am on a limited budget, but I want features that aren’t available on the saddles that I can afford. If I had a wish list, it would be adjustable EVERYTHING! (Girthing forward or centerfire, stirrup position, seat size, inserts or panels that adjust). I’d also like a more western style, without the horn and synthetic everything… I hate conditioning leather, and hate stretching billets.

I think if you went with a Bandos, if it didn’t work out you could probably get most of your money back anyway… or they might have demo’s available.

Jenni

[paintedtrails]

Adjustability?

Which treeless models have an adjustable stirrip plate, aside from Bandos? (one of the many reasons I am leaning that way!)

[matryoshka]

I really like the Sensation Ride saddle. I’ve been riding one of my trimming clients’ horses in one. He’s a broadd, gaited horse that trots rather than gaits for me. The Senstation has a narrower twist than some of the other treeless models. I wanted to order one, but the lady talked me out of it because it is not recommended for high-withered horses. So I know she’s honest. They are under $1100. I found the Sensation to be very comfortable. I haven’t tried other treeless models for comparison, though. One of the reasons I wanted one is that the model I looked at has a way to put the stirrup leathers for “heavy use” so that they don’t put as much pressure on one spot.

[matryoshka]

One thing to consider when looking at treeless is the build of your horse. I say this because I’ve been looking at treeless saddles for over a year now, and I’m having trouble finding one that will work for both me and my horse. I just looked at the Hilason, and that may be an option for us. Unfortunately, I can’t tell what the wither clearance will be for that. My understanding is that creative padding (I cut the withers out on my horse’s saddle pads) may not work as well with treeless saddles as it does for treed saddles.

You’ve probably got more options if your horse has regular or low withers than with high withers and a prominent backbone. Personally, I don’t like the wide twist I see on a number of the treeless saddles, which is why I was drawn to the Sensation. My friend’s Barefoot treeless appears so wide in the twist that it almost hurts to look at it.

[matryoshka]

@CowGirlSoap;2935317

I’m making my own (that’s a whole thread in itself!) because I am on a limited budget, but I want features that aren’t available on the saddles that I can afford. If I had a wish list, it would be adjustable EVERYTHING! (Girthing forward or centerfire, stirrup position, seat size, inserts or panels that adjust). I’d also like a more western style, without the horn and synthetic everything… I hate conditioning leather, and hate stretching billets.
Jenni

When you do, show us what it looks like. Heck, you might start a business, and I might be your first customer!!

[system]

I have been riding for only three years, one horse, owned four saddles, and am looking for another. This time I don’t want to be so gullible about who is advising. I mostly trail ride and endurance, with a little (no more than 3’) jumping. I have a hard and heavy Western saddle I’m very pleased with and my horse seems happy. However, I have developed pain in my upper spine directly under my neck. I have decided to try a more cushy saddle and came up with Barefoot. However, I am saddle poor, obviously, and can’t afford to make another mistake. I have read mixed reviews on the Barefoot. Any advise?

[gothedistance]

The Barefoot (Cheyenne) is an extremely comfortable saddle for both horse and rider. I have one, and love it. I removed the hard plexiglass forms (both cantle and pommel) and re-stuffed with pure flocked wool. I put several hundred miles of endurance rides on the Barefoot. Another poster here (ridesapaso) uses her Barefoot London for endurance riding. The Barefoot just recently introduced panels on the underside – something the earlier models didn’t have – but I don’t feel the panels are substantial enough to eliminate the additional need of a good treeless pad. While I love the Barefoot for trail and disance, I would not recommend using it for jumping – the saddle is not conformed for that and the “swell” of the pommel would be very much in the way. There is no “sweet spot” for the knee to fit when stirrups are shortened to “over fences” mode, as the flap is completely flat with no knee or thigh rolls. Also, the stirrup hanger ring is sewn in and is not moveable.

This season I’m switching over to riding endurance in a Sensation Dressage Trail. I have been foxhunting all winter in my Sensation English Trail, and absolutely LOVE the saddle! The Sensation is shaped like a traditional English saddle, including having substantial panels underneath to form a decent gullet which, for a horse with moderate to low withers, means that a simple pad is often all that is required. All soft, quality leather, it comes in the traditional hunt-seat colors, and some wild ones as well. The stirrup hanger rings are on a soft velcro plate that can be moved anywhere along the spine of the saddle for the rider’s personal comfort. This is a beautiful, exceptionally comfortable saddle that I would highly recommend for anyone who wants a seamless transition from treed to treeless.

Both Barefoot and Sensation are extremely lightweight, only a matter of a few pounds.

[scrtwh]

I too have had “saddle” issues for my horses. I have spent way too much time, and money over the years to find saddles that fit, and when your horse changes physical condition, the saddle fit changes too. Yikes. My horses are very diverse in body frame. My TWH mare is a stout. big-boned, barrel-chested, foundation horse, my ASB is narrow, high-withered and slab-sided. Go Figure … So … long story short, I made an investment in a Heather Moffit fheonix saddle with wither pads to use with my ASB. I can’t say enough good about it. Love it. My horses love it. It is the absolute most comfortable ride ever.

My husband just got a Bob Marshall Trail saddle. He and his boy are very happy with it.

I got both of these saddles used, for about 50% of what they go for retail.

[system]

Has anyone tried an EZ fit treeless saddle? Heres the link…

Heres the link http://ezfittreelesssaddle.webs.com/

Im new by the way, so hello everyone!!

Ive ridden in a Bob Marshall for years but it was recently stolen…now I wanna see if there are any other treeless options that are better…

[Golden_Pony]

I’ve been riding a 4 year old Haflinger mare (read - no withers) all summer in a new Barefoot Atlanta with the VPS and LOVE it. I tried a Bandos (ordered it directly from Chris Martin) and HATED it. I though it was really poorly made and couldn’t get past all the bulk under my leg. I have ridden in Stubbens, Crosbys, and Collegiates (and even a stint in a Wintec 2000 which I love but sadly doesn’t go wide enough) for almost 30 years. I always swore you could never get me out of an english saddle! Some of my trail buddies have been trying to get me to “go western” and I tried their saddles - just too much “stuff”! The Barefoot is the ticket for me: it’s lightweight, good on my mare’s back, and really comfy for four hours in the saddle (and not just walking around!) even with my reconstructed knee and arthritic neck. Check Ebay if you don’t want to buy new. PS - my girlfriend loves her old Bob Marshall endurance saddle, too.

[whitesage]

I have a Barefoot Cheyenne and have had some issues adjusting to it- I am an adult rider just coming back to riding and so I am not the most secure rider. The BF Cheyenne has no knee rolls and so my legs swing when I post the trot. I’ve also been using a girth that’s not well-suited for it (has elastic, which is not good on my round and low-withered horse), and have had to spend a lot of time tightening the girth, and tightening it again…

But, I LOVE how light it is…especially now that I got some english endurance stirrups and switched the fenders out for english leathers;

http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/tack/stirrups-irons/english-endurance-stirrups/prod_155.html

The saddle is incredibly comfortable, and overall I’m fairly happy with my choice. If I could do it over I would take into account more that I am not as secure a rider as I used to be (and maybe order the Tahoe, which has knee rolls).

I have heard some not great things about the Bandos, but I’ve also heard some people like them okay. I’ve only ever heard negative thing sbaout the Hilasons and am not convinced they are safe to use, and do a good enough job protecting your horse’s back.

My budget was really tight too, when I was saddle shopping, and the Barefoot Cheyenne seemed like the best saddle for the money.

[Bogie]

Freeform saddles have adjustable stirrup placement.

I have the classic and like it a lot. I’ve also owned a Torsion and one of the Barefoot Cheyennes (the original model) and a hilason.

Although Treeless saddles fit most horses, different designs work better on different shaped horses. The Torsion EL worked beautifully on my warmblood who was barrel shaped. It slipped quite a bit on my TB who is more of an A-frame. The Freeform fit both horses quite well.

I found that the Barefoot put me in a chair seat and I hated the nubuck.

The Hilason I bought was a POS. From what I’ve read, the quality is highly variable because they are made in many small shops in India and there is no quality control.

I’ve written on treeless saddles on my blog:

Are Treeless Saddles for You?

@paintedtrails;2935771

Which treeless models have an adjustable stirrip plate, aside from Bandos? (one of the many reasons I am leaning that way!)

[Malda]

I don’t recommend the Bandos. I’ve mentioned on another thread that on mine the right side of the pomel came off after five months, there is way too much padding under the legs - you can’t get your leg near the horse! and the seat bunches up in the middle making it very uncomfortable. I had to buy a sheepskin saddle cover to be able to ride. There a plenty of good treeless, I would not buy a Bandos.

Erin

[stryder]

Several of the trail-riding women at my barn ride in Black Forest saddles and highly recommend them.

http://www.blackforestsaddles.com/

[Cindyg]

I’ve been riding happily in a Rebecca saddle for 8+ years now. It’s comfortable for me and my horse, and is pretty much as good as new.

[PRS]

I’ve been riding in a Sensation Ride Hybrid. Loved it so much I ordered one for myself. I trail ride exclusively and wanted something that was better for me and my horse. This fits the bill perfectly. It has a very comfortable deep, secure seat that I practically have to ask permission to get out of. My 26 year old mare actually extended a trot for the first time I can remember so she obviously approves. If you join the Treeless group on Yahoo groups there are always used treeless saddles coming up for sale. They sell really fast though so act quickly. Should you buy a saddle and decide to re-sell I’m pretty sure you will have no problem selling it. Most dealers have demos though and are happy to send you one to try. I demo’d mine from freedomtreeless.com.