I have heard the Torsion Treeless has more wither
clearance but you may want to ask those who have one. I rode in a Torsion
recently and LOVED it. I ride in a Bob Marshall treeless but would recommend you
have a Skito pad made with wither inserts. They do make them. The Equipedic pad
would also be a good choice as they are thicker and have a good center channel.
I love mine! I wouldn't give up my treeless saddle for anything. I rode
hunter/jumpers for 8 years on the show circuit and love my treeless. It gives me
that same close contact feeling I got with the Crosby I had.
I have known many people who have ridden in
treeless with thoroughbreds and not had a problem. Mostly, the Bob Marshalls
don't work well with shorter backed arabs that are sensitive to loin rubbing
back there. There are some who think the treeless are not good for any
horse. Don't listen to them! There are a large percentage of endurance riders
who ride in treeless and many are in the top of this sport. Valerie
Kanavy rides in a Torsion (last I heard). If they did not work, you would not
see so many buying them and loving them.
See if you can borrow someone's for a ride. If
you were in my area, I would let you try out one of mine--I have 3!!
Hi All, I am a newbie. Have done 3 -25 this year with
my Hunter/Jumper thoroughbred. He is having the time of his life.
I too am loving this. I am educating me on saddles. My
current DeGrange close contact jumping saddle fits well and is not to bad the
1st 15 miles but going fifty in it next year doesn't sound inviting.
Joey is typical thoroughbred. 16.3 with high withers. I have
been researching treeless saddles and am intrigued. I would love to have
the feeling of riding bareback again. It seems to me there would
be stress points on his back from "Stirup Tug" if that term makes sense to you
all. I also have not read much about the wither area in these
saddles.
I honestly have not ridden in anything but my jumping or dressage saddle
in 25 years so I am completely dumb as to brand names, styles and
such.
