The Tree vs Treeless debate

By Anonymous

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18 September 2009 10:33

There is much debate on the internet on whether a treed or treeless saddle is better for your horse, I can only go by my own experience here. I had a very difficult to fit Welsh x Thoroughbred with quite high withers and a prominent spine. Due to a badly fitting treed saddle she had some muscle atrophy which was being treated by an equine physio, she recommended I look at treeless.

After extensive research and chatting with different companies I bought a Trekker Pro Endurance saddle. I went for this brand because it seemed to be the best type for difficult to fit horses with higher withers. I have to say we have never looked back.

What I love about this saddle is it is just so adaptable, we have 3 horses here and the same saddle fits each of them with a simple adjustment to the pommel. This adjust from narrow to xxwide fitting. As my mare has been getting fitter and changing shape I have been able to adjust the fit of the saddle very easily to fit her. There are adjustable panels underneath to and these give exceptional spinal clearance, so we are no longer putting pressure in this area. There is plenty of wither clearance and the muscle atrophy improved very quickly.

I find my mare is walking out more freely, she has plenty of shoulder movement which was obviously being restricted before in a treed saddle. Most importantly I feel completely safe in this saddle, she does have a tendency of spooking and turning on a sixpence and in this saddle I don’t’ move an inch, to me that is priceless !

So from my experience and my mares yes I would say going treeless has been a great advantage to us.