Flex treed saddles

[Debbie]

Does anyone have any experiences with the newer 'flex treed' saddles?

Here are a couple of links www.steeleequifit.com/equiflex/index.htm

www.horsesaddleshop.com/whatisflextree.html

I'm curious if anyone has firsthand experience, and how this saddle reacts under different riders of differing weights.

I know this is supposed to flex with the horse's movements, but does it work the opposite way, and reflect the rider's weight as well, possibly causing bridging or pressure points??

[knight]

In fact I do have a "flex treed" reining saddle (same steele tree as in your link) for Knight, got it to replace the synthetic I had when you were here. And if that thing flexes you can't tell it by me. Suppposedly the points will flex but judging from the photos it takes some strength to flex it and I'm not sure just how much flexing it really can achieve in use, partially because it has to then flex all the layers of leather ontop. I do use a saddle right pad under it but I think we're talkiing a really limited amount of flex.

[Debbie]

That's interesting to know...thanks for the info Nancy

[nars]

Debbbie,
we have a western saddle for Nars. It's a Continental Equiflex short and wide. It is good on him. I was told by a western saddle shop over here that some horses don't do well with a flexible tree- usuallythose that have a lot of movement in their back as the flexible tree means thatthe saddle 'moves' too much and horses have reacted to it.

We've had no problems and Nars seems to really enjoy being riddenin the saddle.

[knight]

So interesting to read that your western saddle is a Continental, so is mine! Knight gets along well with it & I love the position it sits you in, not such a chair seat as some. Well Knight only complains that it's heavier than his treeless saddles. They seem to be a well made saddle at a good price.

[nars]

Yes, I really like the western continetal saddles- comfy to sit on and as you say, the leg position isn't too bad. This one isn't too heavy compared to the ones that I lifted around on the recent clinic I went to.

I'm going to take a look at them when I go to Colorado in August as the prices over here seem high, and I'd like a show saddle (£1600 for the equiflex). So I guess that's the equiv of $3200. How would that compare to your prices, Nancy?

[greydales]

My treed saddle is also a semi-flex, that is, it has some give front to back and also at the points - but the flex is fairly minimal and you wouldn't know it was any different to a normal treed to ride in. Saturn goes really well in it and of all the treed saddles I've had (and I have tried MANY!!), it's definitely the best.

However there are many concepts which are being copied all around the globe and I'd be wary of buying a saddle from a manufacturer which didn't have a good reputation. My saddle is made by Barry Swain and in conjunction with Kay Humphries who is one of the country's top remedial saddle fitters.

[nars]

I can see your saddle catching on, Gill. It is a great 'half--way' house for riders and horses and sounds like it's well worh the money.

[Debbie]

Thanks for the exta posts

LOL...Nancy I was going to ask what Knight thought of the saddle. Well, the boy would complain of it being heavier in the heat you guys have! Don't blame him one bit for that

Jacqui, that can actually be comparable to the show saddles available here. Much of it depends on how much 'frou frou' you want on the saddle. The more decorative work and tooling, the higher the costs.

Here's some on the 'cheaper end' of the scale: www.westernsaddle.com/show.html You can see the price will reflect how much silver and whatnots are on it.

And to compare, here are some of the 'big names' with far more decoration:
affordable-tack.com/western_show_saddles.htm

[nars]

Thanks Debbie, I'll check those out later. My Continental only has basic tooling, no silver. It's a nice, quality leather and workmanlike, but no show saddle. Sabina will need a show saddle.

She is in her fisrt show next weekend and I'm away!! David , her trainer is riding her.He's represented GB in reining etc and demo's abroad, so I'm sure she is in safe hands.

I'll ask for pics to post on here.

[Debbie]

Oooh, YES!!! I'd love pics of Sabina's first show