Barefoot treeless.. Help please?!

Hey all,

Well I bought my youngster a barefoot cheyenne treeless saddle and he and I love it apart from one or two small problems so I was wondering if anyone could help!!

1. When I do the girth up I make it as tight as possible but when I get on it becomes loose(obviously due to my weight) but its impossible to do up when onboard-especially with a fidegty youngster- and I don't always have someone around. Is there anything I can do? Do I need a smaller girth? (When I tighten it up the top of the girth overlaps the saddle pad by a cm)

2. I have the barefoot english stirrup leathers and stirrups and I like the way it looks and everything but the buckles are at the bottom and I find its hard to turn them to get foot in so they seem to turn around which makes me feel unstable and it just doesnt seem right or comfortable! Can you use stirrup leathers with the buckle at the top or will it damage the saddle? It really fustrates me but I love the saddle in general

3. Last question guys ! When girthed up the back of the saddle seems to rise up slightly.. Not be flat on his back. Is this something they're prone to or does that indicate a poor fit? I checked the pommel insert is right and got the right seat size... Again, can I do anything to fix this?

Thanks in advance

I don't have any experience with treeless saddles so the only question I have a suggestion on is #1. If the saddle suddenly gets loose when you get on, then it likely isn't because of your weight. I would guess that your horse is probably puffing up a bit when you cinch him. You might try cinching him up snug, walk him around for a minute and then cinch him up again tighter.

Ooo im sorry I meant to say that. I tighten his girth as much as possible then walk him then tighten til its as tight as possible then get on and it still goes loose =/ Sorry I should've stated that but thankyou!

Anyone?

I am not farmiliar with treeless saddles, but according to google, you should use a breastplate with the saddle to prevent sliding. Apparently this is a common issue...

I don't know if there are many endurace riders on here...they are prob all too busy riding to post on here

Haa thanks.. Iv been looking on google but not found much help and also I thought about a breastplate but don't know if a normal one will fit or if I need a 'special' one which will cost triple a normal one!

Hi!

At first - I'm from Germany and my English/grammar is very bad and normaly I only read in this forum.
But I realize your problem and I have a few experience in treeless saddles, so I will try to write some words (and I hope you will understand it - if not, asked me again, I will try it again )

1. I also think your horse puffing up a bit, I know horses they need up to 10 minutes and more before they relaxed enough to tighten up the girth the right position. In Germany we call that "Gurtzwang" (means in English "girth bondage", I do not know the right word ). Sometimes a girth with elastic part helps a little bit. You can tighten up this girth so that the elastic stretch, if the horse relax only the elastic goes back and the girth becomes not so loose as a girth without elastic.

2. You can also use stirrup leathers with the buckle on top. But most treeless-riders feel uncomfortable, because the buckle press the thigh. But test it! I have also test it and my saddle is not damaged
The problem with stirrups I don't know - perhaps adaption, I ride only with english stirrup leathers all my life. But you can test a special form of stirrups, where the eye for the leather stirrups ist rotated 90° so that you don't habe to turn the stirrup with your Feet in the right position (I don't not know how it is called in English... so look at this picture (it is not a barefoot saddle) :)


3. The barefoot saddles are complete flexible - the saddle should be flat on the back of your horse when you sit on it. On the other hand they need a few hours of riding before they adapt on the horses back and the riders backside. Without pictures I can't say anything about the fitting.

Best regards (or how do you say it in English ? ),

LunaLotte

Luna, I just wanted to mention that your english is actually very good . Also, just let you know that the word most commonly used for "gurtzwang" is "girthy" (pronounced with a long e on the end).

Thanks very much 'Luna'. I understood completely, your english is very good and I will have a look at everything you have said.

My girth has got elastic on and I do take a long time doing the girth up because he is a baby but I will listen to you and wait at least 10 minutes. I also think im going to get a shorter girth because mine seems too long.

I wasnt sure if it would damage the saddle but if it wont I will try the stirrups with the buckles at the top.

Thankyou very much!

Sarah

If its rising up a bit, I would suggest maybe using pads to even it up a bit. My friend has one, and when she got hers the saddler came out and tried pads with different thicknesses until it fit properly, might be worth a go as a test. Glad to hear you are getting on with your saddle though!