Choosing the right saddle is crucial for both rider comfort and horse health.Treeless saddleshave gained popularity for their flexibility, lightweight design, and ability to provide a closer connection between horse and rider. Unlike traditional saddles with rigid trees, treeless saddles adapt to the horses back, promoting freer movement and reducing pressure points.
This makes them ideal for trail riding, endurance, dressage, and even jumping disciplines. However, selecting the best treeless saddle requires understanding the unique features, fit, and compatibility with your horses conformation.
In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the best treeless saddles available on Amazon, highlighting their key benefits and features. I'll also share expert insights on how to choose the perfect treeless saddle for your needs, ensuring comfort, safety, and durability.
Whether you're a seasoned rider or new to treeless options, this article will equip you with the knowledge to make an informed purchase. Plus, Ill cover essential accessories like saddle pads that enhance the saddles performance and protect your horses back.
How to Choose the Best Treeless Saddle
From my experience as an equestrian and saddle fitter, selecting a treeless saddle involves several critical factors:
- Horse Fit:Treeless saddles are flexible but still need to suit your horses back shape. Consider wither height, back length, and muscle development. Horses with sway backs or prominent withers may require specialized designs or additional padding.
- Rider Comfort and Discipline:Different treeless saddles cater to various riding stylestrail, endurance, dressage, or Western. Choose one with appropriate seat depth, stirrup placement, and padding to match your discipline and riding hours.
- Material and Durability:Look for high-quality leather or synthetic materials that offer durability and easy maintenance. Handmade saddles often provide superior craftsmanship.
- Weight and Portability:One of the biggest advantages of treeless saddles is their lightweight nature, which reduces fatigue on long rides.
- Saddle Pad Compatibility:Since treeless saddles lack a rigid tree, the right saddle pad is essential to distribute weight evenly and prevent slipping. Brands like ThinLine and Skito offer pads specifically designed for treeless saddles.
- Trial Period and Return Policy:Many reputable brands offer trial periods to test saddle fit and comfort. Take advantage of these offers to ensure the saddle suits both you and your horse.
Now, lets explore the best treeless saddles on Amazon that combine quality, comfort, and value.
10 Best Treeless Saddles Available on Amazon
01. Barefoot English Treeless Saddle
The Barefoot English Treeless Saddle is a top choice for riders seeking a close contact feel with their horse. Designed with a vertebrae protection system, this saddle adapts dynamically to the horses movement, reducing pressure points and enhancing comfort. It features a deep seat and knee rolls for added rider security, making it suitable for dressage and general English riding. The saddle is crafted from premium leather with suede seating, offering both durability and style. Available in multiple sizes, it fits a wide range of horse shapes and rider preferences. Barefoots commitment to ergonomic design ensures that both horse and rider enjoy a natural, balanced ride.
02. Bob Marshall Sports Treeless Saddle
Bob Marshall Sports Saddles are pioneers in treeless saddle design, offering a variety of models including barrel racing, trail, endurance, and wrangler saddles. Riders can customize leather color, horn size, seat dimensions, and tooling patterns, making it a highly personalized option. The saddles flexible tree-less structure provides excellent freedom of movement for the horse while maintaining rider stability. Its well-suited for Western riding disciplines and long trail rides. Buyers benefit from a 10-day trial period, reflecting the brands confidence in its quality and fit.
03. EDIX Amazon Bareback Pad Complete
For riders torn between a bareback pad and a treeless saddle, the EDIX Amazon Bareback Pad offers a hybrid solution. It combines the freedom and closeness of a bareback pad with the support of a treeless saddle. The design includes ergonomic padding and stirrup attachments, providing security without restricting horse movement. Its an excellent option for casual riders or those transitioning to treeless saddles. The pad is made from durable materials and is easy to clean, making it practical for everyday use.
04. Freeform Treeless Saddle by Saddle Up LLC
Freeform saddles are renowned for their innovative design tailored to trail, endurance, and gaited horse riding. These saddles provide unsurpassed comfort by evenly distributing rider weight and allowing natural horse movement. The lightweight construction and flexible panels reduce fatigue on long rides, while the ergonomic seat enhances rider posture. Freeforms treeless saddles are handmade with high-quality leather and come with adjustable features to accommodate various horse conformations. They are a preferred choice for competitive distance trail riders and dressage enthusiasts alike.
05. Black Forest Treeless Saddle
The Black Forest Treeless Saddle is acclaimed for its premium craftsmanship and rider comfort. It features a unique design that balances flexibility with support, ensuring a secure seat without compromising the horses freedom. The saddle is constructed from top-grade leather with detailed tooling, appealing to riders who value both function and aesthetics. Its lightweight frame makes it ideal for endurance and trail riding. The brand emphasizes ergonomic fit and offers customization options to suit individual rider and horse needs.
06. Barefoot Western Treeless Saddle
Barefoots Western Treeless Saddle line offers over nine different models, many resembling traditional Western saddles with tooled fenders, suede seats, and decorative skirts. These saddles accommodate various horse shapes and rider sizes, blending classic Western style with the benefits of treeless flexibility. The saddles vertebrae protection system adjusts to the horses back, promoting comfort during long rides. Riders appreciate the balance between traditional aesthetics and modern ergonomic design, making it a versatile choice for Western disciplines.
07. ThinLine Treeless Saddle Pad (Accessory)
While not a saddle itself, the ThinLine Treeless Saddle Pad is essential for maximizing the benefits of treeless saddles. Endorsed by veterinarians and saddle fitters, this pad offers superior shock absorption and weight distribution, reducing pressure points on the horses back. Its thin yet durable foam maintains close contact between horse and rider, preserving the tactile feel that treeless saddles provide. The pad is breathable, anti-fungal, and features shim pockets for custom fitting adjustments. ThinLine pads are widely regarded as the best companion for treeless saddles.
08. Skito Treeless Saddle Pad (Accessory)
Skito offers customizable treeless saddle pads made from various wool blends and fabrics. Popular for their adaptability, these pads come with accessories to prevent slippage and are machine washable for easy maintenance. Skito pads are favored by riders who need a tailored fit and appreciate the blend of functionality and style. Their ability to conform to different horse shapes makes them a reliable choice for treeless saddle users seeking comfort and stability.
09. HAF Treeless Saddle Pad (Accessory)
HAF pads feature innovative Sympanova padding that does not absorb sweat and includes nodules that massage the horses back, enhancing circulation and comfort. The pads grip technology prevents slipping, and its Velcro panel system allows foam inserts for added wither clearance. Lightweight and breathable, HAF pads are easy to clean and maintain, making them a practical accessory for treeless saddle riders who prioritize horse health and saddle stability.
10. English Saddle Fellsattel PREMIUM Plus
Available on Amazon UK, the English Saddle Fellsattel PREMIUM Plus is a handmade treeless bareback pad crafted from genuine lambskin. It comes in natural colors and multiple sizes, including pony sizes, catering to a range of horses. This saddle combines the benefits of treeless design with the comfort of soft lambskin, making it a luxurious option for riders who want a close feel and natural cushioning. Its minimalist design is ideal for riders seeking simplicity without sacrificing comfort.
Top Treeless Saddles - What I Think
Treeless saddles offer a unique riding experience by enhancing freedom of movement and connection with your horse. Selecting the right saddle involves careful consideration of fit, discipline, materials, and accessories like specialized pads.
The products reviewed here represent the best options currently available on Amazon, backed by expert craftsmanship and positive rider feedback. Investing in a quality treeless saddle and compatible pad will ensure a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable ride for both you and your horse.
