Tree.....which style??

boots · 03-09-2013, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saddlebag

I own a Simco roper that I was told was made in 1958 so the makes it...........I don't have enough fingers. It was made in the days when quality mattered and every part of that saddle is 100%. The rawhide wrapped tree is in excellent shape. It's not the prettiest saddle because it was built to do a job. With a little care this saddle will likely be around in another 60 years. I've joked that it could be dropped off the 10th floor, thrown on a horse and be good to go.

Those old Simco's are legend. Deservedly so.

RedHorseRidge · 03-09-2013, 06:56 PM

A flex tree saddle (Big Horn flex tree, either Ralide or Equiflex, can't recall) almost ruined my horse's back... hurt her so badly she fell over on the trail and wouldn't get up. Took months of chiropractic to get her back to normal. I will NEVER buy another flex tree saddle, regardless of brand. I went to a saddle maker who took out a flex tree, put in on the ground, and stood on it. The bars "flexed" into a V right into what would have been the spine of the horse. Flex trees, by their very nature, are meant to flex and therefore do not distribute the weight evenly or consistently.

I have a flex panel saddle that fits pretty much every horse I use it on (except my short backed mountain mare). The potential danger with these saddles it that you have to make sure the panel attachment points are moving correctly, or you end up putting all your weight on these pivot points. So they need routine maintenance.

mvinotime · 03-10-2013, 01:25 AM

Great information! Thanks everyone. I do think I will stick with what I know and do the wood tree. All very informative and interesting stuff....love to learn ;)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search