If your horse is hard to fit or has a wide back, or if you don’t feel close enough to your horse while you’re riding you may have looked longingly at a treeless saddle and wondered whether or not they’re any good. Any internet search will bring up a mix of opinions with just as many people in favor of them as there are against them but what’s the truth? This is something that I’ve been considering myself so I thought I’d share my findings with you, and hopefully shed some light on whether treeless saddles are a good or bad thing.
What is a treeless saddle? A treeless saddle is a saddle that doesn’t have a rigid internal frame (known as a tree). The lack of a tree means that the horse can move freely and that the rider feels closer to the horse.
What is a tree?
Traditionally saddles have been made with a solid, rigid structure in the middle that’s designed to conform to the horse’s back and the rider’s seat. While they’re commonly made from fiberglass, metal, or plastic today, in the past this frame was made from solid wood which is where the term ‘tree’ comes from.
The rest of the saddle is then built around the tree with the leather or synthetic material either being nailed or stapled to it. This then gives a sturdy structure that distributes the rider’s weight evenly across the horse’s back.
What is a treeless saddle?
Sometimes referred to as bareback pads, treeless saddles don’t have the fixed, inflexible tree that forms the basis of conventional saddles. This makes them much lighter and easy to use, especially for people that aren’t able to lift a traditional saddle onto a horse or for those that ride multiple horses every day.
The lack of a tree means that treeless saddles sit closer to the horse while also allowing the horse to move freely and without any restrictions on their shoulders. They also offer the rider a more natural, closer, almost bareback ride which is why they’re extremely popular with endurance riders.
One of the main advantages of treed saddles is that the rigid tree provides them with a gullet that bridges the horse’s withers and alleviates the pressure but many modern treeless saddles are built with some sort of gullet that works in the same way.
What are the pros and cons of a treeless saddle?
As much as we’d all like to have one saddle that works for all horses in all circumstances this simply isn’t possible and while most people use treed saddles it doesn’t mean to say that treeless saddles are a bad thing. There are plenty of advantages and disadvantages to using a treeless saddle.
| Advantages of a treeless saddle | Disadvantages of a treeless saddle |
|---|---|
| Allow horse to move naturally | Can cause pressure points where stirrups hang |
| Allow for longer strides | Won’t distribute rider’s weight evenly |
| Horse has greater freedom of movement | Won’t keep rider off of the horse’s spine |
| Flexes with the horse | Not as secure as traditional saddles |
| Rider is closer to the horse | Rider sits wider than on traditional saddles |
| Good for horses that are hard to fit | Special pads are needed to increase stability |
| Can be used for multiple horses with different back shapes | Can slip if you’re trying to mount from the ground |
| Lightweight and easy to lift | Can become hot for the horse and rider |
It’s interesting to note that while people tend to have strong opinions on whether or not treeless or treed saddles are better, most people can’t tell the difference between the two. This of course changes as soon as they sit on them.
Are treeless saddles good for horses?
Regardless of whether you’re in favor of treeless saddles or against them there’s no denying that they do have some advantages. To start with they’re much lighter, easier to use, and often cheaper than traditional saddles but beyond those advantages, they can be extremely beneficial to horses that have suffered pressure sores and discomfort from poorly fitted traditional saddles.
For horses that have very wide backs, uneven shoulders, or swaybacks there’s no doubt that a treeless saddle is often the best, if not only, option. They’re lighter on the horse’s back and help to balance the rider in such a way that the pressure and force are distributed over the horse’s back and towards their rib cage.
Then of course there’s the unrestricted movement that the lack of a tree provides the horse with, especially on the shoulder.
Are treeless saddles bad for horses?
As with every contentious topic, there will be strong arguments against and the debate around treeless saddles is no different and while they do have a range of benefits there are also disadvantages. Not least because with long-term use they can cause localized pressure sores that can, if not addressed, cause permanent injury.
By design, treeless saddles don’t have a rigid structure that bridges the horse’s spin and therefore reducing the pressure on this sensitive area. Instead, they rely on a rider’s ability to balance themselves and remain there regardless of the horse’s movements.
One common mistake that many people make with a treeless saddle is presuming it’ll fit any and every horse, but this just isn’t the case. There’s no doubt that they can fit a range of different horses out of the box so to speak but there is no such thing as a magic saddle that fits every horse and a poorly fitted treeless saddle is just as bad as a poorly fitted treed one.
Do you need to use a pad with a treeless saddle?
Just as opinion is divided over the advantages (or disadvantages) of treeless saddles, so is the case with using pads under them but I’ve found it’s even more important than it is with a treed saddle. While most people use a thin pad under a treed saddle to prevent chaffing (and to prevent the saddle from being damaged by sweat), with treeless saddles they increase the horse’s comfort and offer more stability.
That doesn’t mean to say that you can use any old pad though, you need to use one that’s designed specifically for treeless saddles. They’ll not only help to distribute the rider’s weight but will also address any dips or hollows in the horse’s back or behind the shoulders. They will also protect your horse’s spine and loin area.
The good news though is that treeless pads are available in a wide range of styles, materials, and patterns so you’ll be sure to find one that’s right for your chosen discipline as well as your tastes.
Conclusion
Most people these days don’t have the time to learn to ride properly (in the same way that people like the Native Americans could) which is why we need a saddle, to not only protect the horse but to also keep the rider balanced and this is where a treed saddle shines. That doesn’t mean to say though that you should never use a treeless one, it’s just a case of when and how.
If you’re a lighter rider, have a good (and proper) seat, and don’t stand in the stirrups a lot (such as when jumping) then there’s nothing wrong with using a treeless saddle sometimes or in the short term. The reason I, and many other people, say short term is because with a treeless saddle the pressure and force are confined to a smaller area. This isn’t an issue if you’re only using a treeless saddle occasionally, but if you imagine tapping your leg it’s not going to hurt if you do it once or twice. Hit your leg in the same spot for a prolonged period of time though and the tendons will soon start to hurt.
Related questions
Do treeless saddles fit any horse?
Just like treed saddles, there are different types of treeless saddle, and not everyone will fit every horse although they will fit a wider range of horses without the need for any adjustments or alterations. They just won’t fit every single horse.
Can you use a treeless saddle for jumping?
Treeless saddles have been designed for pretty much every discipline going and jumping is no different but many saddle makers advise against using treeless saddles for jumping. This is because, unless they have specially designed stirrup bars, the stirrups hang from one place, and when jumping the rider’s entire weight is focused on that area.
I hope you found this article helpful. If you did I’d be grateful if you could share it please as it would really help me.
Recommended products
Over the years I have tried hundreds of different horsey products, from various blankets and halters to different treats. Some I’ve loved, others I’ve hated but I thought I’d share with you my top all-time favorite products, the ones I never leave the yard without. I’ve included links to the products (which are in no particular order) that I really think are great.
- Horse Knots by Reference Ready – If you’re like me and enjoy pocket reference guides then you’ll love this knot tying guide. These handy cards can easily fit in your pocket or attach to the saddle for quick reference. They’re waterproof, durable and are color coded to make them easy to follow.
- Mane ’n Tail Detangler – Even if you never show your horse you’ll need to detangle his tail from time to time (and possibly his mane too) which is always a challenging chore! I’ve found that if I run a little bit of detangler through my horse’s tails every few days it stops them from getting matted up and makes combing them easy, even if they’re coated in mud. I don’t know if I should admit to this or not but it also works wonders on my hair.
- TAKEKIT Pro clippers – Over the years I’ve tried a lot of different clippers and while some were obviously better than others I found these to be by far the best. They are heavier than a lot of other clippers but for me, that’s a good thing, it makes them feel more sturdy and hardwearing. On top of that they have a range of speeds so are just as good for clipping your horse’s back as they are his face. I also like the fact that they come in a handy carry case but that’s not for everybody. The company that makes them is super good and incredibly helpful too, a real bonus these days. The only thing I wasn’t keen on was the fact that it doesn’t come with any oil, but that’s not a major problem as it’s not difficult to buy lubricant.
- Shire’s ball feeder – There are so many boredom buster toys out there but I like to use these every day, regardless of whether or not my horses are bored. I find that it helps to encourage my horses to problem solve by rewarding them with treats (or pieces of fruit) but it also mimics their natural grazing behavior which helps to keep them calm and de-stressed.
- Horse safe mirror – This is a strange one that many people are surprised about but I like to put horse safe mirrors in the trailers as well as in the quarantine stalls. It helps to prevent the feeling of isolation by giving the impression of other horses being around. Being herd animals horses can get extremely stressed when they feel that they’re on their own but with these stick-on mirrors, they believe that at least one other horse is with them.
- Rectal thermometer – I know this isn’t glamourous at all but it’s vital for your horse’s well-being to be able to check their temperature and a rectal thermometer is the easiest way of doing this which is why I’ve added it to the list.
Shopping lists
I’ve also put together a few shopping lists of essential items that I’ve found helpful over the years. I’ve broken the lists down into different categories rather than put everything in one massive list 😉
