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Horse Care and Comfort

Help.. New saddle.

Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed

Hello. My next question is this:-
I have a western saddle which I have used on Shilo since I have owned him, I have had spine surgery and have to admit that this saddle is too heavy for me to lift up and down and carry around.
The saddle weighs about 11 kg.
So I am going to buy a new saddle and I would like it to be a tree less saddle, I have found one that I like and most importantly fits Shilo, and of course one that weighs a lot less, around 4 kg.
Does anyone here have any experience with a tree less saddle, and apart from the design and weight , does it really make any difference in when riding, ?
I weigh about 50 kg, so it will be a 11kg less for Shilo to carry around, surely this is a good thing?
The new saddle is of very high quality, and in fact very expensive, but I am trying to find out everything I can about riding with such a light, treeless saddle before I buy it.
So I will be riding bitless. Treeless,whip less, and Spurs less !!!! BRILLIANT.

Kicki -- Sweden
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Hi dionne!
What type of treeless saddle are you looking at?
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I have a treeless on my horse, an "English" type made by "House of Charisma" in Sweden. (Google them!)
They are comfortable enough but demands lots of self posture and balance from the rider because there is a lot less stability in them than an English saddle with a tree, and much less so than a Western saddle. You can't count on it to "help" you stay in balance on the horse, and will feel a bit "rickety" in the beginning.
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I like it because it is easily adjustable to my boy's back while he is growing and developing muscles, and I can feel his movements better.
BUT I didn't really plan to keep it once we got far enough in the training because there is after all irrefutable and scientific evidence - whether I like it or not - that a saddle with a tree in it does distribute the weight of the rider much better than a treeless and therefore less likely to cause back pains if you ride in it a lot.
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Also, it is not recommended to jump/stand in the stirrups in a treeless saddle as the weight in the stirrups would press down too hard on the back of the horse since they don't attach to any tree. (Some treeless saddle-makers recommend you never mount directly from the ground. Or at least they did when I put in some research in this a couple of years ago.)
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As for weight, I think those 11 kg (a 7 kg difference to the treeless) are a lot more difficult for you than for your horse - provided that he has normally developed dorsal muscles. A balanced rider is often more imperative to the horse's well-being than said rider's weight or height!
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All in all, I would even say that a Western saddle that fits well and with proper padding (or a baroque saddle for that matter) is better for the horse's back than almost any English saddle because it is a bit heavier and therefore distributes the weight of the rider better, as well as being easier to keep your balance in.
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BTW. Have you ever encountered the old army saddles? (Presuming the Danish ones are similar to the Swedish) They are uncomfortable as H*** but you seldom got any back problems on the horses!
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Don't mean to put you off from treeless saddles! As I said, I have one and I like it and I am convinced you will know what is best for you and Shilo. :)
Just saying there are a lot of factors to take into account. Have you checked the second hand market for treeless saddles in Denmark? I'm afraid it isn't very good here so if I had bought a very expensive one it would be difficult to get any money back if I ever needed to replace it.

dionne4210 - Denmark.
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed

I love my western saddel because i sit very deep in it and it also provides a little support to me, however, Its just so heavy for me now, before my surgery i was just swinging it around Like it was a feather, but boy, i Can feel it now after this damn surgery.
Its funny because i read the complete opposite of What you wrote about weight distribution on a Treeless saddel, i was looking at one from Bob Marshall, which is a Treeless western saddel, and it is about 8000.- DKK, and on the cheaper side a Treeless western saddel from Barefoot, about 4000 DKK. Bob Marshall saddel would have to be shipped from USA, so I have to add tax and so forth on. I am so confused, one person says one thing, and another person says the opposite!!!!, I just want what is best for Shilo and hopefully a little bit lighter for me.
Not to sound like a snob, but I'm not buying a used saddle, I am in a position to buy 'the best' for my boy, and that's what I will do, however, price is important, but not as important as fit, I hope everybody reads this like I mean it to sound!! I would however like to stick with a western saddle, but a much lighter in weight.
Thanks Kikki, you have given me a lot to think over and research.
Best regards from Dionne and Shilo.

JoHewittVINTA
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Hi Dionne. Saddles are like every other issue in life - you can find positive views for every option. My view is treeless is a glorified & costly version of the felt pad used by kids on donkeys & ponies - something to hang stirrups from. To decide for yourself, put 5 or 6 substantial books into a rucksack with a frame & then wear the rucksack for 10 minutes. Then put the same books into an unframed rucksack & see which is more comfortable & easier to carry. I have a small western saddle which is heavy for its size but 12 hands high Max loves it. I fit it too & I'm not tiny by any means. I had surgery on my leg, years ago & it was fully 3 years before it got as good as it was going to get. As you used to be able to throw your saddle up easily perhaps you need more physio/exercises to regain your strength? Save your money & work on regaining your strength. Good luck. Cheers, Jo.

dionne4210 - Denmark.
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Thanks Jo for your honesty, Its just a jungle of info, and not easy to know what is best.

bahila73
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Hello Dionne. There is marvelous information written above, but saddles seem to come down to a personal choice. Have you heard of an English lady by the name of Heather Moffett. She is a old established riding and training instructor that has a line of leather,treed saddles that might be worth your while to look into. Even if you do not purchase a saddle from her, the sales videos will give much, needed knowledge on your quest for another saddle. Besides the flexibility of a leather tree, she also places the stirrup hangers further back so that your leg hangs naturally from your seat. This might make things more comfortable for you. You should check the website out; Heather Moffett Saddles.com.
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.Good luck on the hunt. Bud