Why People Pick Treeless Barrel Saddles

Treeless saddles can provide an alternative to regular, or treed, saddles. Treeless saddles have become popular in certain segments of the riding world, especially for traditionally hard-to-fit horses. Horses that are hard to fit tend to be either gaited or have less than ideal physical conformation. Treeless barrel saddles may provide barrel racing competitors with a more flexible or less traditional saddle fit.

  1. Treeless Definition

    • A treeless saddle is any saddle manufactured without the traditional rigid saddle tree or the newer flex-tree, which forms the frame on which the saddle is built.

    How Treeless Works

    • Horses' backs are constantly in motion while they are ridden. Traditional saddle trees are rigid and sit firmly on top of the horse's back rather than flowing with the motion of the gaits. The saddle tree may be considered the saddle's backbone, holding all the pieces firmly in one place and connecting them.

      Treeless saddles are made from layers of foam, padding, leather and various shock-absorbing materials. Instead of sitting rigidly on the horse's back, treeless saddles naturally mold to the horse's shape, moving and flexing in all directions as the horse moves.

      Barrel racing is a speed event, and horses must have the ability to move freely to be successful. Hialson, one of the leading manufacturers of treeless barrel saddles, claims the treeless saddles do not restrict the horse's motion as much as traditional treed saddles do.

    Treeless Benefits

    • Treeless saddles cause the horses less pain, according to the Hepburn Equine Sports Therapy website, and lead to lower veterinary bills over time because of decreased risk of back problems. The treeless saddle also provides a wider area of rider weight distribution across the horse's back, making them more comfortable for some riders. Hialson claims its treeless saddles fit a broader range of horses and lead to riders spending less money in tack.