Do Treeless Saddles Fit Every Horse?

Just because a saddle is treeless does not mean that it will fit any horse you put it on. Not all treeless saddles fit all horses (or riders), and when purchasing one, it is just as important to “try before you buy” as with a traditional Western or English saddle.

Does a treeless saddle need fitting?

You will need a tight 3 fingers in between your 2 panels in the gullet area. Adjustment to the panels from the stirrup area to the pommel of the saddle can vary for your horse’s needs. In other words most horses have two very different shoulders so with the panels you may place them where they are needed…

Are horse saddles one size fits all?

Horses, like people, come in different shapes and sizes. Some horses have high or narrow withers; others are very wide with hardly any wither at all. Each shape requires a slightly different tree. Saddle trees are made in specific sizes to fit different shapes.

Is it hard to ride in a treeless saddle?

Because there is no tree to hold the saddle above the spine, horses with very high withers or big hollows on each side of the withers are difficult or impossible to fit with a treeless saddle. Generally, treeless saddles are not designed for jumping, though small jumps can be taken while trail riding.

What are the disadvantages of a treeless saddle?

Treeless saddles can be bad for some horses because they don’t distribute a rider’s weight evenly which can cause spine injuries, muscle soreness, and saddle sores, especially when riding over long distances.

Are treeless saddles good for wide horses?

Treeless saddles conform to each horse. Regular fit in general fits horses with a defined wither. Wide fit is generally recommended for horses that are broad or mutton withered.

Do treeless saddles need a special pad?

Most important is a saddle pad with inserts. It is an integral part of any treeless saddle system and plays a big role in its performance. With all treeless saddles, you should use a saddle pad with shock absorbing foam or felt inserts on either side of the spine, leaving the spine channel clear.

Is there a weight limit for treeless saddles?

Is there a weight limit to a treeless saddle? Generally speaking, the weight limit is around 170 lbs, but keep in mind, there are plenty of exceptions. Depending on the size of your horse, it is certainly possible to go over that limit.

Do you need a special saddle pad for a treeless saddle?

If you ride with a treeless saddle, you will want to have a quality saddle pad to go with. The best treeless saddle pads offer cushioning, support, and a proper fit to ensure your horse will be comfortable. Ideally, they should have shock-absorbing foam, silicone, or felt inserts to improve performance.

How do I know if my horses saddle fits?

You want to feel even pressure under the saddle points; you don’t want the front of the panels to pinch the horse’s withers. Next run your hand under the entire panel along the back, on both sides, feeling for even pressure. Any unevenness in pressure that you feel would be felt by your horse as you ride.

How do I know what saddle fits my horse?

The saddle should have 2-3 fingers clearance on the top and around the side of the withers. The saddle must have be an opening (clearance) on the sides of his withers to accommodate the shoulder rotation upwards and backwards during movement. A horse whose saddle pinches his withers may be reluctant to go forward.

Is it better for a saddle to be too big or too small?

In general, it’s better to have a saddle a smidgen too big than a smidgen too small. (A smaller saddle may cause uncomfortable chafing.)

What is the point of a treeless saddle?

Without tree points putting pressure on the horse’s shoulders as they move, many horse owners find that their horses’ strides are longer and freer, allowing better quality of movement in performance horses. A treeless saddle may flex and move with a horse’s motion.

Do treeless saddles slip?

Since Ansur treeless saddles have no rigid frame to dig into the horse’s back, the saddle will slip toward the rider while mounting from the ground.

How long should you ride before cantering?

How long it takes for you to get to this step depends entirely upon your particular circumstances, but generally you should be cantering in under two months or so. The canter will feel fast at first, and you may bounce because you are tense. Try to relax your hips and sit as deep into your saddle as you can.

Are treeless saddles good for endurance?

The Barefoot Atlanta Treeless Saddle is an extremely light weight, horse friendly endurance and trail saddle.

Are treeless saddles good for high withered horses?

One of the main reasons for needing to use a treeless pad under a bareback pad, is to relieve pressure for high withered horses. Horses with a high wither or under developed topline may benefit from the extra foam inserts either side of the backbone that provide a channel.

What tree size fits most horses?

Tree Widths:
Semi-Quarter horse bars usually have a 6 1/4″ gullet, and Quarter Horse Bars usually have a 6 1/2″ to 6 3/4″ gullet. Designed to fit the average horse, one of these two widths will fit approximately 80% of horses comfortably. Full-Quarter horse bars usually have a 7″ gullet.

How do I know if my horse needs a wide tree?

Place the saddle on the horse’s bare back (no pad). There should be two to three fingers space between the top of the wither and the gullet of the saddle. If you can fit your whole hand (vertically) between the bottom of the gullet and the wither, the tree is probably too narrow.

Does gullet size matter on a treeless saddle?

The gullet bridges the horse’s spine so it is an important part of the saddle design. If the gullet is narrow, it can pinch the muscles on either side of the spine which ultimately will make your horse’s back stiff or sore.

Do treeless saddles have a gullet?

Although some of the bareback pads/ treeless saddles have incorporated a gullet into their design, without the tree you cannot bridge the spinal processes nor the spinal ligament system properly, and therefore end up not providing the protection a properly fitted treed saddle will provide.