5 Best Treeless Saddles Reviews – Find The Perfect One

The treeless saddle does not have a tree, but it isn’t just a pad. A saddle tree is a rigid and solid structure in which the padding and leather of saddles are made. Traditionally, a saddle consists of padding and layers of leather over a firm piece known as a tree that distributes the rider’s weight on horseback.

There is a lot of controversy over saddle trees and their possibility of harming a horse’s back. Saddle trees are made from materials like fiberglass combined with plastic, metal, and wood. Small nails or staples attach the saddle’s leather to the tree. Buying the best treeless saddles for the horse is essential if you intend to buy one, and this review of treeless saddles will hopefully help you.

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Our Top Pick
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9.4/10 Our Score

Cwell Equine New Synthetic All Purpose Treeless Saddle

  • Riding position can be changed with stirrup attachment
  • Flexible attachment keeps the horse energetic
  • Allows easy movement

Why Choose Treeless Saddles?

Treeless saddles are popular as these are less rigid structures and can be used on many horses with differently shaped backs. The problem with treed saddles is that they are hard to fit in many horses’ backs because of their varying bone structure and width. A treeless saddle moves and flexes with the motion of a horse.

Treeless saddles can be used for every type of trail riding as most pressure points are eliminated. Trail horses can move several miles with minimal back soreness in treeless saddles. These saddles are best to choose when you have a short-backed horse because the rider’s weight is only concentrated on the weight-bearing area.

Treeless Saddle Comparing

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
OUR TOP PICK
Cwell Equine New Synthetic All Purpose Treeless Saddle

CWell Equine New Synthetic All Purpose Treeless Saddle
  • Riding position can be changed with stirrup attachment. Flexible attachment keeps the horse energetic.
  • Allows easy movement
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Cashel G2 Soft SaddleCashel G2 Soft Saddle
  • Stirrups are adjustable
  • Back and front D-ring.
Hold the handle at the pommel. Fabric provides extra grip.
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Manaal Enterprises Synthetic Treeless Freemax Western Horse SaddleManaal Enterprises Synthetic Treeless Freemax Western Horse Saddle
  • Secure
  • Reduced pressure points
  • Allows easy movement
  • Long-lasting performance
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Tough1 Treeless Endurance SaddleTough1 Treeless Endurance Saddle
  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Fits all horses
  • Flexible
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HILASON Classic Treeless Western Trail Barrel SaddleHILASON Classic Treeless Western Trail Barrel Saddle
  • Matching front cinch straps
  • Premium quality material
  • Fits all horses
  • Prevents pressure points
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Top 5 Treeless Saddle Reviews

Treeless Saddles have evolved over the years and are now available in multiple types. It is important that you carefully compare the best products before making the purchase for your requirements.

#1) Cashel G2 Soft Saddle

Cashel G2 Soft Saddle

Cashel G2 Soft sadYou must fit and is suitable for horses of different sizes because of the flexible design. The saddle is available for seats ranging from medium to large sizes.

The saddle is comfortable for both horse and rider. It fits between a traditional saddle and a bareback pad, making for pleasurable riding. The saddle perfectly fits flat-backed horses but isn’t suitable for horses with a more contoured back. The built-up seat provides security and comfort to riders. It is recommended to use a felt pad underneath the saddle.

The Cashel Soft saddle teaches the rider to balance quickly more than a traditional saddle, and the rider feels better with the horse’s motion. The stirrups keep the rider focused and centered on body position.

Features:

  • Wither strap for extra security for a less experienced rider
  • Back and front D-ring for attaching breastplates, packs, or other accessories
  • Stirrups are adjustable
Pros
  • Quality construction and well made
  • Fabric provides extra grip
  • Well padded and comfortable to sit
  • Comes with Western-style stirrups
Cons
  • Straps must be thin
  • Padding on the lower skirt can interfere with legs

#2) Cwell Equine Synthetic All Purpose Treeless Saddle

Cwell Equine New Synthetic

Cwell Equine treeless saddle comes in varying sizes, so it fits horses of different sizes. This treeless saddle is made of incredibly soft synthetic material that can be cleaned easily. The saddle has a detachable seat, and fix panels are available underside.

There is no hard component attached to the saddle, and thus it provides comfort to the horse and the rider. The PU molded seat and flaps are soft, and the horse can take quick and sharp turns. It allows free movement of muscles so that your horse can enjoy the ride as well. It is lightweight, and the horse does not feel any extra weight other than the rider’s weight.

The flexibility and reduced weight help your horse feel energetic. The treeless saddle fits various horses, and the detachable stirrups’ attachment E-bars change your riding position.

Features:

  • The riding position can be changed with a stirrup attachment
  • Flexible attachment keeps the horse energetic
  • Allows easy movement
Pros
  • Adjustable components
  • Soft synthetic material
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Requires sticky pads as the saddle slips

#3) Manaal Enterprises Synthetic Treeless English Horse Saddles

Manaal Enterprises Synthetic

The Freemax treeless saddle is made from superior-quality synthetic suede. The saddle provides comfort to both horse and rider. It has been designed to ensure that the saddle adjusts to the horse without unwanted pressure.

The deeply padded seat makes it easy for the rider to ride many miles without experiencing any discomfort. It is lightweight, and the Velcro system allows seat removal quickly for easy cleaning.

It is certainly one of the finest quality treeless saddles with washable, synthetic PU-molded seats and flaps. The Velcro system allows easy fixing and removal. The changeable wither iron arch is perfect to fit on varieties of horses. The fixed panels offer comfort, and the riders can easily change their position when required.

Features:

  • High quality, washable, and soft synthetic suede
  • PU seat and flaps
  • No hard component
  • The detachable seat comes with a Velcro system
Pros
  • Reduced pressure points
  • Allows easy movement
  • Long-lasting performance
  • Secure
Cons
  • Fitting takes time

#4) Tough 1 Treeless Endurance Saddle

Tough1 Treeless Endurance Saddle

The Tough 1 treeless endurance saddle is budget-friendly and made of high-quality material. This versatile saddle is available in medium and large sizes.

The Tough 1 treeless saddle is lightweight and features a molded, padded, synthetic micro-suede seat. The high-quality fleece underneath offers extra comfort to the horse. The saddle is equipped with two D-rings. The weatherproof and washable gullet bar underneath the seat is flexible and adjusts with the horse easily. The detachable seat allows easy removal and conversion to a bareback pad. It also includes matching girth.

The product does not compromise on quality despite being budget-friendly. When riding furs, the synthetic beats are extremely comfortable. The versatile model allows your horse to enjoy long-distance riding.

Features:

  • Specially crafted for long-distance riding
  • High quality synthetic suede seat
  • No pressure points
  • Allows free muscle movement
Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Fits all horses
  • Flexible
Cons
  • Material may not be for everyone

#5) HILASON Classic Treeless Western Trail Barrel Saddle

HILASON Western Classic

Hilason Treeless Saddle is unique and comes with intriguing features with an improved design that sets a new landmark in the world of treeless saddles.

Hilason is the proud manufacturer of treeless saddles and the fastest-growing brand in the market. This fantastic saddle is made from only the finest materials backed with superior workmanship. The quality of genuine skirting leather is picked from the best tanneries. The strategically designed saddle has a distinct skirt structure and stirrup webbings that absorb and distribute the rider’s weight more than any treeless saddle in the industry. The saddle eliminates the chances of pressure points more than many more expensive saddles. It is equal in size to the regular Western seat size.

This treeless saddle makes the horse fast, flexible, and relaxed by evenly distributing the rider’s weight. It allows your horse to take quick and sharp turns during racing. The treeless saddle keeps your horse energetic. It also fits all types of horses. The saddle is lightweight, and thus your horse feels comfortable. From draft horse to pony, this treeless saddle is a perfect choice.

Features:

  • Matching front cinch straps
  • Premium quality material
  • Fits all horses
  • Prevents pressure points
Pros
  • Comfortable for rider and horse
  • Uses Western accessories regularly
  • Long-lasting as it is made of superior quality material
Cons
  • Available only in tan color

Things to Consider Before You Buy a Treeless Saddle

Let’s discuss essential things that must be taken into consideration when buying a treeless saddle.

Treeless Saddles Reviews

Types

There are different types of treeless saddles: Some may have a fiberglass cantle and pommel, while others simply might not have a full tree inside. Some treeless saddles may have layers of padding only.

You also get to choose from different makes and models. The market features varieties of designs, ranging from attractive bareback pads with stirrups to the simple leather saddle.

Horse fit

The treeless saddle design has no gullet, so horses with visible spines above the back muscle need a pad with a built-in gullet. It is crucial to get a treeless saddle that fits your horse comfortably because, when the saddle rests on the spine, the horse may drop you back due to pain and discomfort.

Chunky horses with the bony, hard part of the spine below muscles may not require a special pad as the muscle works as a pad with a gullet. Treeless saddles are impossible to fit on horses with big hollows or very high withers on each side.

Usage

Generally, treeless saddles are not made for jumping. However, small jumps are fine while trail riding. The English versions are designed for jumping but may not provide stability and support to the rider and cause pressure points. The jump puts pressure on the leather and stirrups. These saddles are beneficial in camp or school settings. Also, when riders are under therapeutic programs, these saddles are perfect to use as they give a close feel of the horse’s movements.

Rider fit

For a rider, a saddle must give you a feel of security and protection. An incorrect fit can be dangerous and leave the rider at risk for a fall. Different models of treeless saddles offer distinct twist shapes, so a rider must find a saddle that fits their anatomy. The comfort level in the saddle will tell the appropriate twist fit.

Adjustability

Manufacturers like making treeless saddles, and many companies come up with specific designs and ways to meet the horse and rider’s requirements. While purchasing an option, the rider must check that the changes are made in symmetry because an uneven saddle can lead to muscle soreness for both horse and rider.

Treeless vs. Treed: Which should you go with?

Treeless saddles are appropriate for all types of horses, and they are a cost-effective and easy solution if the horse needs customized saddles due to the shape and width of their bones. Treeless saddles are flexible and conform to the horses’ backs due to the hard tree’s absence.

If you have a young horse, the treeless saddle is a perfect choice as it will fit the horse from young to adult. These saddles offer a closer contact ride, and the rider can feel the activity and help to spot balance to maintain equilibrium. Treeless saddles are lightweight and easy to fit on horses.

Treed Saddles have rigid construction that can hinder horses’ comfort and movement if pressure points are not fitted correctly. These saddles need regular maintenance, at least annually. The wind of the tree, angle of tree points, and curve of bars must fit the horse and rider appropriately. These saddles can be heavy like western saddles are heavy and weigh 15 kilos and more.

Treed saddles are around for a reason; however, a correctly fitted treed saddle will prevent long-term damage to the horse’s spine and keep it healthy for its whole life. A treeless saddle is an option, but it won’t replace treed saddles. Both are valuable for different reasons.

FAQs

Where to place a treeless saddle?

Placing the saddle is straightforward. The dressage-style girth should be a hand’s width back from the front legs of a horse. It may look a little back when compared to the treed saddle, but you should not worry. The horse will feel the weight where the rider is sitting. You can get on the horse bareback and look where you sit — this is the natural position for your treeless saddle.

The rider moves in harmony with the natural gait when on a treeless saddle. The saddle’s weight is reduced considerably due to the absence of a rigid tree structure.

This all combines to create a balance, harmony, freedom of movement, and uplifting performance. Treeless saddles give a close approximation of bareback riding but with added security.

How to ride with a treeless saddle?

The rider needs to go with the movement and not try to sit still. Riding on a bareback horse and using a treeless saddle are the same.

Final Words

Treeless saddles are widely accepted, and manufacturers appreciate how easy it is to make them. Treeless saddles are potentially quite valuable for both horse and rider. This advancement on the long-used bareback pad and the treeless saddle is bendable with layers of foam for bearing the rider’s weight.

They are made of leather or synthetic materials and are available in different varieties of English and Western-style. The current models of treeless saddles appear the same as a traditional tack. The above-mentioned treeless saddle reviews will help you to find the best treeless saddle.

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