Riding Bareback vs. "Treeless" Saddles

Question
Hi. Is riding a horse with a treeless saddle the same, better, or worse for the HORSE? Obviously a saddle is safer for the rider, but just from what the horse is physically experiencing, is bareback the least irritating way to have a person on their backs? Thanks!

Answer
It would help to know what you want to do with your horse. I presume pleasure and trail riding.
If the saddle fits the horse, it is all right to use a saddle with your horse. There are excellent saddle fitting books about, one by Joyce Harmon. Beware of having a saddle fitter come if he sells his own brand of saddles. Some of them MAY just want you to buy their brand.

I have not had a lot of luck with treeless saddles. As you know, there is a reason why a saddle has a tree-it distributes the weight of the rider equally, and keeps the weight off of the horse's spine.

I have found some treeless saddles to actually hurt the horse's back by pressing on the spine. In my opinion, the special pad that they sell with this saddle does not help.

Beware also of nationally famous clinicians who sell their own brand of saddle and claim it is better than any saddle ever made. People have been making saddles for 2,000 years. This type of selling is only a gimmick.

Bareback is all right if you are a really balanced rider and do not have to stay on by gripping, but be aware that your stability is less. Bareback pads with stirrups are very dangerous.

Mitzi Summers
www.MitziSummers.com