One of the most common issues riders deal with is figuring out the right gear. This is particularly true when it comes to choosing saddles. We can all spend as much on a saddle as we do on purchasing a horse. And when things go wrong, like a horse being sore or showing resistance or exhibiting discomfort, one of the first things people look to blame is their saddle. A poorly fitting saddle can often be the problem and should be examined.
There is a myriad of factors that can make a saddle a bad fit but I won’t go into that here. I recently posted a video on the basics of saddle fit on my membership site and there are many professionals who do a good job advising people on the correct saddle fit.
When I talk about saddle fitting at clinics, I make sure that people understand there is no such thing as the perfect saddle. The fit of any and every saddle is always a compromise. We tend to examine the fit of a saddle when a horse is standing still and his feet are squared up. We look at length, width, pommel clearance, gullet clearance, balance, padding, etc to decide if it is a good-fitting saddle or not. Then the horse moves and suddenly the fit of the saddle changes because the shape of the horse changes with every step yet the saddle tree remains rigid. The horse changes shape in different gaits or when riding uphill or downhill or over jumps or when relaxed or tense. What looked like a perfectly fitting saddle when our horse was standing square, is now just a compromise.
Likewise, when we look at how the saddle fits the rider it is mostly done when the horse is standing still. But when the horse moves, the rider’s seat twists and moves but the seat of the saddle does not.
Therefore, the correct saddle fit for both a horse and its rider is always a compromise.
Some people have a strong preference for saddles that are without trees. Treeless saddles tend to have a bit of flexibility and more give as a horse changes shape. However, the lack of rigidity is also their biggest problem because the weight of the rider is concentrated in a tiny area under the seat bones. The role of a tree is to minimize the risk of a rider’s weight causing pressure points and soreness in discreet areas of a horse’s back. When a saddle does not have a rigid tree the weight of the rider is concentrated in just a couple of areas on either side of the spine.
In my view, a well-fitted saddle with a tree is preferred over a treeless saddle. But a well-made treeless saddle is a better option than a badly fitting saddle with a tree.
Of course, what’s best for each will vary on many factors. A big determinant is how much riding a horse is required to do. If a horse gets an occasional ride for short periods, the effect of an ill-fitting saddle will be minimal. On the other hand, regular and hard work will require a well-fitted saddle to maintain soundness. Another factor is the ability of a person to ride in a soft and balanced seat. Also, an important factor is the muscle fitness of a horse. If a horse is sound with a well-developed musculature, it will be more immune to the effects of saddle problems than an unfit horse with marshmallows for muscles. Finally, not all saddles are created equal. There are some great treeless saddles and there are some rubbish ones. Likewise saddles with trees. So it is not so simple as choosing a tree or no tree when shopping for a saddle.
I am aware that a lot of people who ride in treeless saddles will attempt to compensate for their problems with specialised saddle pads and shims. But if I needed padding to make up for saddle fit problems, then my saddle is not a good fit irrespective whether it is treeless or has a tree.
But with all things equal, if I have access to a well-made saddle with a tree or one without a tree and my horse is going into serious work several days a week, I would always choose the well-made, well-fitted saddle with a tree for long-term soundness and comfort. But maybe that’s just me. I’m sure many will disagree.
As a final thought, I get asked a lot about bareback riding as an alternative. I can only say that I consider it a poor alternative. If you want to hop on your horse and ride bareback to the wash bay or go for a 10-minute ride to the neighbours, I have no problem with that. But I cannot recommend training and working your horse while riding bareback is a good idea. Like a saddle without a tree, the rider’s weight is not distributed evenly over the muscles. Bareback creates pressure points on a horse’s back. And although it can be fun, bareback riding often creates bad riding habits in novice riders, eg gripping with the legs for balance. I am not a fan of doing any serious riding bareback.
I know some people will comment that they have ridden in a treeless saddle for years and their horse has never been unsound or that their horse was unsound until they started riding in a treeless saddle. That’s great and hats off to you for a good job. But it is my experience that it is rare to find a horse that has been in serious training for 6 or 12 months and ridden in a treeless saddle without ongoing back problems.
