Do all treeless saddles push down on the withers of the horse. Is a treeless pad a must to prevent this?

Question

I rode for the first time in a treeless saddle and felt my horse was very uncomfortable as the pad was pushing down on his withers causing pain i only used a comfy pad underneath, do i need a treeless pad with gel?

Answer 1

In a word, yes! the right kind of numnah under a treeless is as important as the right kind of saddle. If your horse has a good set of withers and/or muscle wastage you will need a shimmable treeless numnah. Shimming does the same job as flocking in a treed saddle as it is this that lifts the tree off the withers and spine, not the tree itself. The other problem with using regular numnahs under treeless saddles is that you could cause undue pressure along the spine due to the conventionally sewn seam and the lack of a gullet which is present in most treeless numnahs. I've added a link to a treeless forum that has some very helpful & knowledgeable members.

Answer 2

that is the main problem with treeless saddles.All saddles,tree /no tree are accompanied by a saddle pad of some description,wether it is a full numnah or just a wither pad.the acid test is to put your pad on the horse,put the saddle on top.when you are sitting in the saddle,with girths done up tight enough to stop slippage then stand up in the stirrups and if you cannot slip at least 2 fingers depth under the pommel then the saddle is not fitting correctly.People should remember the saddle is made to fit the horseNOT the rider.

Answer 3

I never understood the classic "treeless" saddle, my background being sport, as opposed to dressage, where it is most frequently used.  Not only the fitting advice you received, what do you compete in, you and your horse?? Some disciplines you need a "pommel"  and no saddle pad will shift that weight for your horse.  My suggestion, tack shops can do alot, but find out what others that are in the same  or similar equine pursuits, are using, if the wrong saddle, be it even so seemingly similar as hunt seat, dressage . park,  big difference, for you and of course your horse.  If just refitting a saddle, ask around for a REALLY good tack shop, if  you need to purchase a new saddle, sell your present, good money in good used tack , and you can always buy a "pre-owned' appropriate saddle, as may be, and then refit for your horse and your pursuits.  I wish you well and nothing like riding horses.