Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Hello Patsy:

There are conflicting schools of thought on this.  I used a Bob Marshall 
Treeless with a Skito Pad for 8 years on a short-backed Arab.  The Skito 
Pad provided an open space down the spine so the saddle did not rest on 
the spine and also provided an air channel--very important in distance 
riding.  I then purchased an Ansur Treeless and was told that no air 
channel was required.  I tried it and did not like the way it rested 
directly on the withers, it slipped back, and slipped from side to 
side.  I tried a Skito with the Ansur and with my horse it would not 
work.  I sold the Ansur.  I have gone back to a treed saddle with a very 
wide gullett that gives a whole lot of spine clearance.  The spine is a 
very delicate  part of the body and problems in this part of the body 
are very difficult to deal with.  If the back is abused by hard riding, 
ill fitting saddles of any type, hundreds of miles of competitive or 
endurance riding, the spine begins to have problems, the back becomes 
sore, just as our backs become sore with overuse.  A lot depends on the 
shape of the horse, how the horse is used, how heavy the load is, how 
well the saddle fits, how balanced and supple the ridder is, etc.  And 
you have to think about it, make decisions, and watch to see how it is 
working.  If it isn't working for your horse and you, try something 
else.  I would suggest you find a copy of Joyce Harman's book "The Pain 
Free Back and Saddle Fit Book."  Lots of good information to think about 
before you make a costly purchase.

Gail Lawson, Belmont, NH

Patsy Davis wrote:

Is there any problem caused by the treeless saddle sitting right down on 
the spine of the horse?  With a tree, the pressure is raised off the 
spine, right?  So why is it not a problem (heat, pressure, etc) when you 
are sitting directly on the spine?  
Just trying to understand before I jump off and buy something that I 
don't understand.  They must work or there wouldn't be such a demand for 
them.

Thanks,  Patsy

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