Problems With Treeless Saddles

The debate over the benefits and problems that result from riding horses using treeless saddles has been going on for over a decade. Treeless saddles provide an alternative option for horses with back problems or that are hard to fit with a traditional saddle. Treeless saddles may benefit some riders and horses, but there are several known issues with going treeless.

  1. Structure and Quality

    • The basic premise of a treeless saddle is that it alleviates problems caused to a horse's back by an improperly sized or fitted saddle tree. Treeless saddles are touted to reduce pressure points and allow a rider to move in motion with the back of the horse. With that said, saddles (both with and without trees) are only as good as the skill and quality of materials used to construct them.

      The saddle tree is designed to distribute weight across the horse's back. Low-end or poorly constructed treeless saddles may cause weight to sit on pressure points or flat on the horse's spine, causing a whole new set of problems. Also, treeless saddles are often constructed out of synthetic materials, which may not stand the test of time the same way a leather saddle with a tree will.

    Saddle Pads

    • Treeless saddles tend to rely very heavily on customized saddle pads to correct fitting and slipping issues. While adding pads to improve the gullet width will reduce saddle slippage and even aid in distributing rider weight may work, adding multiple saddle pads to get a decent saddle fit can be a real hassle for a rider.

    Rider Weight and Skill

    • A heavy (over 200 pounds) or unskilled rider can be hazard to a horse's back without the structure of the saddle tree. Some brands of treeless saddles recommend adding extra gullet inserts for riders over certain weights. Unbalanced or inexperienced riders also have a tendency to plop and flop on the horses back as they attempt to learn how to smoothly sit through the gaits. Without the saddle tree, the plopping and flopping may go directly to the horse's back and can cause soreness.

      Some models of treeless saddles are well-known to slip during mounting and riding, especially at high speeds or with an unbalanced rider, which can be very dangerous.

    Appearance

    • Many treeless saddles simply do not have the classic appearance or styling of a traditional saddle with a tree. Treeless saddles tend to be made out of a variety of synthetic materials and synthetic fabrics tend to wear out much more quickly than well cared for leathers.

      Some of the lower-end treeless saddles bear more of a resemblance to a bareback pad than a real saddle, making them good for trail riding, but less than ideal for competitions where rider appearance and performance are both judged.