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Treeless Saddles on wide & short backed Haflinger

21K views 44 replies 15 participants last post by  HappyHoofPrints 
#1 ·
Just looking for experiences people have had in using treeless saddles on Haflingers. Also interested in the performance you've had if any in competitive trail with your Haflinger. I have one and am considering competing and possibly getting a treeless for him because I have such a hard time fitting a saddle to him due to his wide, but short back. Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Welcome to the forum! I can't boast any experience with them on Halflingers, but am very jealous that you own one!!! When I went to see my Morgan before getting her, the lady had me try her out with her treeless saddle, and I've been pining for one ever since! I'm sure other members will have experiences with Halflingers and be ready to help :)
 
#4 ·
I don't have a Haffie, but I have a wide backed, short withered horse and I use a treeless on her.
I LOVE it!!
My only complaint, or challenge is my saddle slips on the downhills.
And, remounting in the woods was difficult too.

Treeless fits wonderful~ mare has no complaints and they're really really comfy!
 
#7 ·
I don't have a Haffy either but use a treeless (Freemax) on a 16.1hh DWBxID when he's unfit and consequently very fat (his fit width is about 2XW but varies A LOT).

I too have the slipping issue - sideways in my case - and can't mount from the ground without assistance. A non-slip pad would probably help but since the saddle's just a stop-gap I've not bothered.

I once tried to get a Torsion treeless to mark a customer's AQH (very square-shouldered) and failed, even when the horse's back was powdered to make areas with extra pressure more visible. I was impressed - the saddle didn't move in the couple of hours we rode the horse about - but I hated the saddle. The customer loved it though, so that was okay.

I'd see if you can get one on trial before buying to see if it suits both of you :)
 
#8 ·
The pads on treeless saddles sometimes compress as you ride which for some horses require a girth tightening before remounting. If you learn to mount the Icelandic way you can eventually do so without being virtues allegedly. I haven't had the time to practice enough to see if that's true or not. Here's the website I learned it from: Icelandic Saddle Fitting
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#10 ·
The pads on treeless saddles sometimes compress as you ride which for some horses require a girth tightening before remounting. If you learn to mount the Icelandic way you can eventually do so without being virtues allegedly. I haven't had the time to practice enough to see if that's true or not. Here's the website I learned it from: Icelandic Saddle Fitting
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That's very interesting :)

But I could probably still vault on an Icelandic, so the problem wouldn't be that great. Trouble is mine's a little bigger :wink:
 
#12 ·
If your saddle is compressing you probably need a new one, or a better one. They should not be compressed or maybe you shouldn't be in a treeless. If the pad is compressing I would say has seen the end of its days. That is supposed to act as your "tree" and protect the horse's spine.
 
#13 ·
I had a haflinger for 10 years and he is the reason I still have treeless. My treeless is a Rebecca Underwood Soft rider. My husband is having one made now for his draft cross. I always use a breast collar and use a crupper if there are hills.
 
#14 ·
What did you pay for those saddles? Do you need to have it made specifically for your horse or do they come in a way that can fit your horse and yourself? I am on a limited fund and have been looking at the Freeform and Black Forest treeless saddles. Do you have any experiences with these type of saddles?
 
#26 ·
Each Rebecca saddle is made to order. You pick color, style, seat size (she will help you figure out which one is right), even pick style of stirrups. Her saddles come with the pads needed and you tell her if our horse is mutton withered or high withered so she can make you the proper pad. Oh yeah - breast collar, cinch and cantel bag included as well.

They are $875 and a little extra if you want her to make a crupper to go with plus shipping. You get everything you need and it fits you and your horse - so I think its better deal than most where you have to buy a pricy pad separate. Plus the pad is velcroed on so no slipping and its Y rigging so much more secure. Highly recommend them and she guarantees hardware and all that so if anything breaks just send it in and get it repaired.

Sorry - no experience with the ones you mentioned.
 
#20 ·
"Subbing" means they are following this thread.

I'm also curious about saddle choices for Haflingers. I have a Haflinger and use the Wintec Australian Stock saddle on him with the wide gullet. He seems to be fairly comfortable, but I have to make sure the saddle doesn't ride up on his shoulders. I have thought about a treeless saddle, but I was hesitant because the only falls I have had were on a treeless saddle. I think it gives you a false sense of security because it feels like you are riding in a regular saddle until the horse bucks or spooks, and then it doesn't give you the same stability as a regular saddle. It might not affect stronger riders though.
 
#21 ·
Treeless saddles allow you to be more in tune with your horse. They bring you closer to the horse's center of gravity and you are also more able to feel his muscles, whether they are tense or not. I can't wait to get my own! I think you deffinately have to have a good seat in order to stick with the bucks!
 
#27 ·
They do not nearly as much as a treeless saddle. Some treeless saddles allow for a LOT more feel.

------

For those looking for saddle recommendations, I suggest joining the treelessaddles yahoo group. There are members who are so good you can post pics of your horses back and they can make recommendations. There's also quite a few who sell used saddles as well.
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#24 ·
I have a Haflinger mare with a back like a spermwhale and decided for flex tree for that reason. But I haven't tried out the saddle yet.
However, I can pass on the advice of a friend of mine who also mounts Haffies and recommended very warmly to use a breast collar 'cause with those round curves the saddle can more easily slip sideways. She's found herself upside down under the horse once, ahem. She's a saddler so I think her advice should be good! :)
 
#28 ·
IMO treeless saddles are more likely to cause pressure issues mid-back in the long term. It's obviously dependent on the individual horse, rider and usage but a treeless, concentrating the rider's weight in a smaller area, has more potential to cause damage than a correctly fitted treed saddle.

That's why trees were invented in the first place.
 
#30 ·
If you don't agree with treeless saddles I don't need your information about them. Honestly. I've used both so your opinion that treeless saddles caus more stress points, and tension on their backs really doesn't appeal to me, but thanks anyway.
I have researched both and am a certified equine sports massage therapist...
 
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