Treeless saddles have been predominantly used by endurance riders for almost 20 years, due to the level of comfort they provide for both horse and rider. The treeless saddle is now becoming ever popular within other equestrian disciplines and general riding in the UK.

What is a Treeless Saddle?

Traditional saddles have an inbuilt tree to provide total clearance of the horse's spine, therefore avoiding direct pressure on the horse's spine, which can cause discomfort for the horse and damage to the horse's back. Treeless saddles don't have a tree but instead have thick pads / panels of foam, leather, vinyl or fleece to cushion the horse's back. Well fitted treeless saddles using appropriate padding where appropriate, should not place any direct pressure onto the horse's spine.
Image Right: Conventional Saddle Tree

Why choose a treeless?

Many people are now opting for treeless saddles because they:

• Allow full range of movement for the horse, allowing free movement through the horse's shoulders
• Fit a wide range of horses
• Adapt to horses with high withers, wide backs and uneven shoulders
• Are designed for maximum comfort for horse and rider
  
• Allow close contact with the horse allowing the rider to feel the horse's movement
• Mould to the shape of the horse's back over time and become even more comfortable for the rider the more the saddle is used.

Image Right: Barefoot Treeless Saddle
Source: Barefoot Website∞

Potential Problems

Rider's Balance - The rider needs to be balanced and have a quiet seat because the horse has greater contact with the rider and therefore feels more of the rider's movement.
Rider Weight - Always check with the supplier for weight restrictions for their saddles. Some treeless saddles are not suitable for very heavy riders and extra pads are required for saddles used with heavy riders to ensure there is no pressure on the horse's spine.
Riding Position - Treeless saddles can make the rider sit wider than a conventional saddle would, which doesn't suit everybody. Some riders also miss the twist provided by a conventional, treed saddle.
Correct Fitting - Don't assume that because the saddles can fit multiple horses that they don't need to be carefully fitted. If you are buying a treeless saddle you must make sure that the appropriate pads are used to protect the horse's spine. The company selling you the saddle should offer a fitting and advice service.

Choosing a treeless saddle

When shopping for a treeless saddle you should take into consideration:

• The weight of the rider – always ask the supplier about weight restrictions and padding required to suit the rider's weight.
• The build of the horse or pony
• What activity it will be used for – speak to suppliers about the disciplines you wish to take part in. If you plan to compete, find out if treeless saddles will be allowed for your disciplines before you buy.
• The riding position you want – e.g. Heather Moffett treeless saddles enable the rider to have a classical riding position whereas Libra Trek saddles put riders in a bareback riding position.
• How much money you have to spend.

Types of Treeless Saddles

Materials – can be leather, synthetic, equi leather, and nubuck.
Gullets - you can buy a treeless saddle with a gullet or without a gullet. The saddles without gullets will always need a special pad to provide spinal clearance. e.g. Barefoot Saddles and Libra Trek Saddles don't have gullets.
Disciplines – there are many treeless saddles on the market that are designed for specific disciplines such as dressage, jumping and cross country. Do make sure you check restrictions for competition entry for treeless saddles.

Treeless Saddle Accessories

Pads - protective pads should be used with a treeless saddle to create a channel over the horse's spine. This is particularly crucial if the saddle has no gullet, pads must be used to protect the horse's spine from any direct pressure. The type, shape and number if pads used will depend greatly on the saddle, the shape of the horse's back and the weight of the rider. Some treeless saddle pads have built in pockets for shims to add extra padding to help adjust the fit of the saddle.
Girths - treeless saddles require longer girths in order to avoid the girths hitting the elbows. The saddles without gullets will need to be girthed up to the base of the pad in order to prevent slipping.
Knee Rolls – treeless saddles can come with adjustable knee rolls, which are attached with velcro to allow the rider to change their leg position.
Stirrups - treeless saddles often have closed D rings for the stirrup leathers, unlike conventional saddles which have open D rings to help prevent dragging. Safety stirrups or Barnes Buckles should be used with treeless saddles.

Price Guide

£125 - £2,000 Plus cost of accessories: Pads, girths, Stirrup Leathers, Stirrups etc.

Brands / Suppliers

Libra Treeless Saddles
Models: Libra Trec & Libra Trail
Price Range: £125 & £165 (Depending on retailer))
UK Agents: No
Home Trial Service: Depending on retailer
Notes: Provides a low cost introduction to treeless saddles, ideal for general riding / hacking out.
Visit Stockist Website∞

Barefoot Treeless Saddles
Retailer: Horse and Harmony
Models: GP, Dressage, Western
Price Range: £179 - £1,080
UK Agents: No – but they do provide advice where needed
Home Trial Service: No – you have to pay a fee if you return the saddle within 7 days
Notes: There may be a 2-4 week wait for Barefoot Saddles. Get advice on which pad needs to go with the saddle or buy a ready made package at around £500
Visit Barefoot Website∞
Visit Stockist Website∞

Torsion Treeless Saddles
Models: GP, Dressage, Deluxe, Endurance, Orthopaedic, Xtra Soft, Close Contact
Price Range: £495 - £845
UK Agents: Yes
Home Trial Service: Yes – costs £45 for 3 days loan and a £400 deposit
Notes: Saddles endurance tested by World Championship riders, approved by British Dressage governing body and British Eventing (but double check with judges)

Treefree Saddles
Models: Dartmoor, Exmoor, Western
Price Range: £625 & £675
UK Agents: No
Home Trial Service: No
Notes: Offer interchangeable pommel system.
Visit Treefree Website∞

Heather Moffett Fhoenix Treeless Saddles
Models: Fhoenix Flexible Concept & Fhoenix Vogue
Price Range: £895 - £1,170
UK Agents: Yes
Home Trial Service: Yes
Notes: The Fhoenix saddles have a soft tree to provide spine clearance and a level of twist for the rider. Designed to allow the rider a classical seat without restrictions to the horse's movement.
Visit Stockist Website∞

Startrekk Saddle
Models: Comfort & Espaniola
Price Range: £975 - £1,020
UK Agents: No
Home Trial Service: No
Notes: Provides adjustable pommel widths and velcro panels to adjust to different back shapes. The comfort saddle has a built up pommel which protrudes like a handle, this would be good for novices but may deter more experienced riders from this model.
Visit Stockist Website∞

Solution Saddles
Models: Close Contact, Jumping, GP, Freestyle
Price Range: £1,585 - £1,685 (look out for their special offers section for reduced prices)
UK Agents: Yes
Home Trial Service: Yes
Notes: Designed specifically for professional riders and permitted for use under the FEI and BHS rules. Range includes gulletless saddles.
Visit Solution Saddles Website∞

Treeless Saddle Tips

• Always try several treeless saddles before you buy
• Always gain professional fitting and advice before purchasing, try to choose a supplier with UK agents who can correctly fit the saddle for you.
• Try to get a treeless saddle on trial before you buy, many retailers now allow customers to pay a refundable deposit to try the saddle.
• Use a breastplate with a treeless saddle to help prevent the saddle from slipping back and turning.
• Buy a named brand of treeless saddle but do undertake some research beforehand
• Shop around for pads and opt for the ones with pockets for shims to adjust the level of padding
• If possible, hire a pressure testing pad such as the 'Port Lewis' pad to ensure that the saddles you are trying don't cause discomfort / pressure points for the horse.
• Use safety stirrups or Barnes Buckles on treeless saddles as many treeless saddles have closed D rings which prevent the stirrup leather from being pulled away and therefore risks dragging.
• Avoid nubuck saddles as they wear easily and require a high level of care.

What do you think of treeless saddles? Do you use a treeless? have your say in our forum.∞

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Image Source:
Top picture of saddle tree - 'The Essential Book of Horse Tack & Equipment' by Susan McBane