Anyone having a go at this treed or treeless?
Share your thoughts, experiences and photos if you happen to be treeless. Always looking for photos etc 🙂
I won’t be doing the whole month as I haven’t started it yet, but I do ride bareback a lot so for me I will just add a saddle.
My only problem is what one to choose 🙂
I think you either like the flexi or you don’t.
Having had the wide tread for about seven years on my Freeform saddle. I am selling on the Cottage Craft, I like the Flexi aspect of it but not the narrow tread.
So what do you guys like and why, let me know. Leave a comment, drop me a message. 🙂
Treeless saddles will come with one or the other of these.
A stirrup plate allows the position of the leathers to be altered to the riders preference. The Freeform has a movable closed ring stirrup plate allowing you to alter position of the leathers or change to an e bar.
However some treeless have fixed non removable closed ring or rings which only allow you to move between front and back. Torsion and Libra being an example.
The Dartmoor range is e bar, Barefoot Closed ring, so if this is preference of yours, its worth checking.
The Sensation has the e bar stirrup plate, it is this plate that allows those with removable closed ring plates to swap. After using both, I haven’t had any concerns with either set up. 🙂
It’s always recommended that when using a closed ring you either use a safety stirrup or the Swiss Clips Barnes buckles are still about, they just ceased trading, no reflection on the product, tested it, it works 😉
This is a list of products that I use myself, or have used. It also includes products recommended by the saddle companies.
This is an international list. To search for stockists in your country copy and paste the product you are interested in with your country.
I no longer add direct links as companies alter stock and it is impossible to keep up with. 🙂
If you have any photos let me know, I am compiling a photo gallery of these items in use.
STIRRUP LEATHER COVERS
I have decided to include these as I do get asked what I use.
The fleece covers were made for me by a lady on EBay UK. They come in a vast array of colours and now patterns.
You can buy the proper wool stirrup leather covers, but, for those wanting something cheaper, these fleece ones are ideal and wash well. Just look for people selling rein and noseband covers 🙂
Girth and Cinch
Barefoot girth converter
This allows you to change from the cinch ring to a normal girth billet. Ideal for the western treeless saddles and bareback pads.
Cashel also offer this option.
Dream Team ‘C’
It is for horses with curved tummy lines and forward girthing point. If you have a treeless with swinging straps (new Freeform models) you may not need this type.
Correctly fitted ‘c’ girth
HY COMFORT DRESSAGE
Easy to put on. Elastic ends. Easy to use and keep in the slot to start with and to finish. You have a little pocket to tuck excess into. Too easy to over tighten, didn’t give me a very secure feeling although the girth didn’t move, it did become slippery when she sweated. Sold.
KAVALKADE
This is an air filled girth ( not made now) which my cob loves. Keeps the saddle nice and secure. Straight cut but doesn’t rub and allows freedom of movement. Would like a larger size. If you have an air filled in a 28/30 get in touch.
Mohair Dressage Girth- photos wanted
DREAM TEAM W GIRTH
This is another good quality girth from DT. It is really easy to do up and suits my cob with her large shoulder movement well. It has the centre ring for attachment and the keepers are kept in place by two flaps which keep everything tidy and in place. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the lady who gave this to me to trial and keep 🙂
Equalizer
Ortho flex soft sides
Professionals Choice
Weaver Smart Cinch
LEATHERS AND FENDERS
Barefoot
Bates
Drytex
EZ knees Western – (Fender attachment)
Freeform
FlexEE Biothane
So far proving to be good value for money and easy clean. You get the small cover to go over the t bar and these fit onto the e bar. I do also have an elastic cover at the end just to keep it a bit more tidy/extra protection.
Updated- sold on because the keeper didn’t stay in place and then buckle dug into my boot.
Freemax Stirrup Leathers
Jefferies
Libra T Bar
Premier Dressage Leathers
Startrekk Leathers
Tekna T Bar – these were just to try. They are actually made for the Tekna saddle and not treeless. I sold because I squeaked. But I had to just try them.
Wintec Slimline leathers
STIRRUPS
Barefoot Safety
Break Away – Western
Cloud
Flexi
Tried these as they flex. I opted for Cottage Craft but you can go for other makes. Initially I liked them but kept losing them. I am not used to a small tread with just somewhere to put the ball of my foot. Not for us, but ideal with Swiss Clips on the closed ring.
Flexi Ride
Love these had this type now for about six years. Lightweight and great for your back, ankles etc. I did get my previous pair caught up on a cow gate and got repaired. Treated myself eventually to another pair. When the sticky label comes off as these are left and right, just put a sticker or reflective strip onto your right one.
The cage works having been spun off twice, that’s not part of the testing, but pointless if they don’t free your foot. 🙂
Matrix Adult
Kwik Out
Peacocks
For children only, these are NOT suitable for adults. They were designed for children and have a weight limit of about 8 stone. If you use and have an accident, the company isn’t at fault. They can bend if they get caught up on a gate.
Podium
Safestyle
Soft Tread
Swiss Clips- to enable you to carry on using non safety stirrups. Barnes Bubbles are not made now, but do come up for sale.
Tapaderos
Toe Stoppers- These were my original choice on safety. Just putting these on over my current stirrups. However the only downside was the weight made them front heavy. I found my heels came up and as a result slipped forwards. So just on that basis I did look around for an alternative.
This may not be the case for everyone and I do know people using. I did do a bhs trec in them, so they were tested beyond plod round the block 🙂
I had these at one point, but forget the name just now. 🙂
