treeless questions (again!)

[Deleted]

I seem to be riding and collecting lots of different horses and iv been reading up on the benefits of treeless saddles. Iv only ridden in a freeform, but we do quite alot of jumping and i was wondering if anyone knew which would be best for this?
Am i going to end up having to get one for showing and schooling and one for jumping?
Do they all have dressage girths?
And iv seen lots of cheaper treeless saddles about are they as good as alot that iv been looking at are £800 plus yet there are some cheaper ones for a few hundred.
It just seems the sensible thing to do as at the moment i have claudia, 12 years dales, kirk, her son who is 3 months, my 12 year old welsh d mare whos on rest and a 4 year old coloured mare that im riding on for someone. they all constantly change shape too.
Any info be great guys.
Jo

[dalesponyrider]

I've got the SBS dressage. I have shown in it and this weekend I jumped in it without the knee rolls with absolutely no problem. OK, granted, it was only a novice course! LOL! Given the choice now I would probably go for the Fhoenix GP as it is still straight enough cut to show but would be a bit better for hacking and jumping.

[greydales]

I have the Fhoenix GP which I use for schooling, showing, and jumping (not that I do much lol). I used to have an SBS dressage which I did jump over small jumps but the GP would be better for higher jumps (although I wouldn't want to do huge ones - not a lot of chance that happening ;D).

It fits all of mine including Toby although really it is rather big for him. I don't ride him anyway so it's not a problem! If I ever got a treed it would only be for the occasional show as I feel the treeless is best for the ponies. It doesn't matter how fat they get or however much they change shape as it still fits.

Yes they are on the expensive side, even second hand ones, but I don't know too much about the other types of treeless. There is one called the Barefoot London for £410 which seems to get good reviews although that is a dressage - there are other styles but I have no idea how good they are.

www.horseandharmony.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=196_197&products_id=1043

[Deleted]

thanks guys, iv had a look on the web site and they look ideal for what i want. I will put a post up incase anyone has one for sale but i wont hold my breath!

[lucky]

I have a freeform but no good for jumping really.

How is Claudy and baby?

[Deleted]

hiya, they both fine thanks shes a fantastic mum. I liked riding in the freeform it was soooo comfy, are you selling it? As you say it proberbly wouldnt be any good for jumping though and im cross countrying twice this month.
Hows your ponies?

[Deleted]

I jump in mine!!

[carolinec]

I have the Freeform saddle and it's fantastic for hacking out over rough countryside.

On the jumping front, I'm sure it would be ok for small jumps and the manufacturers do say it's fine for all heights but I think it's down to the individual and how much you want in the way of knee-rolls to make you feel secure.