>>>>I just received my 'Savvy Times' and Linda Parelli wrote an article > "Saddles, Pads, Shims" where she says that the concentrated weight of > a rider in a treeless saddle can be problematic--that a horse will > find it difficult to push up into the pressure. That the ideal saddle > invites a horse to lift his back and push upwards. Of course she > promotes their saddles and shim system.<<<
Personally, I don't believe that is true. "IF" you have the ideal saddle.... *maybe* it would work. But I doubt that many horses have the ideal saddle. I suspect more horses are hollowing out because of the saddles that their riders think "fit them perfectly". In regard to the mechanics, with a treed saddle, if the horse rounds up, what happens to the tree? At what points does it touch (or not touch) the horse's back? Suppose you have a saddle that bridges.... what happens if the horse rounds up? In regard to distribution (or concentration) of weight, I did not write the following, but this is what I believe: "One of the reasons I never considered going treeless before this year was because I thought that I really needed a tree to properly distribute my weight. But after doing a lot of research into saddle fit, I found that a good treeless saddle with a proper pad underneath can actually be a BETTER option than a treed saddle. And the horses I've been riding are certainly telling me this too. They are moving out more freely and there are no signs of pressure points or ill-fit with our Sensation Ride saddles. The biggest issue is not necessarily weight, but balance and riding with a centered seat. A person who is 200 lbs and rides with a centered, balanced seat is much easier on a horse than a 100 lb rider who is un-balanced and/or bounces on the horses back. Now, it's still very important to make sure the horse's back is properly protected - even more so with a heavier weight rider. After doing some looking into treeless saddles, I found the Sensation Ride saddle seemed to be the best option for us. We first ordered one for my friend who had an Icelandic gelding with a lump on his back just behind his wither. We are fairly certain this was caused from ill saddle fit (treed saddle). We couldn't risk putting pressure on that spot and any treed saddle would certainly have done that. We ordered the Sensation Dressage saddle for him and his rider and it is working out exceptionally well for them. As a matter of fact, I borrowed the saddle to use it on another horse and after only one trail ride, I just couldn't go back to a treed saddle. I ordered the Sensation Dressage Trail saddle and just got it in yesterday. I love, love, love this saddle! One of my biggest concerns with this saddle was stability on the horse's back. I just couldn't wrap my head around how a non-treed saddle could be stabile on the horse's back. But to my amazement, these Sensation saddles we have are FAR more stabile on the horse's back than the treed saddles we've ridden in. We have put these saddles to the test with steep hills, the horse "tipping over" in a snow drift, horses taking off at a gallop, trotting, gaiting, cantering, etc... These saddles have not BUDGED on the horse's backs in any situation so far. I can't explain it, and I surely don't understand it, but they really are far more stabile than any treed saddle I've ridden in. And don't get me started on comfort :-). I could go on for days and days about how so incredibly comfy the Sensation saddles are. It's like riding on a cloud. I can also feel the horse moving under me WAY more than in the Wintecs or any other treed saddle I've ridden in. My friend made the comment that "she doesn't want to get out of the saddle ever again". I think the Sensation saddle comes in a synthetic material. I too love synthetic, but after seeing the quality of the leather in the Sensations, I am sold on the "grippy leather" offered on the Sensations. It seems to be water resistant, tough yet butter soft. Though I love Wintecs and feel that they are an excellent option for many horses, I doubt I'll ever go back to them after riding in the Sensation. It's hard for me to let go of my reasons for loving my Wintec, but I have to say the fit of the Sensation to horse and rider beats even my beloved Wintec Icelandic. I want the horses I work with to be as comfortable as possible, and the Sensation saddles seem to be the most comfortable for them." Judy http://icehorses.net http://clickryder.com
