Straight saddle trees

[AmericaRunsOnDunkin]

I am in the market for a new (used) dressage saddle and the chiro, after saying never put my current dressage saddle on my horse's back again, suggested I look for a saddle with a straighter tree. Friends have suggested these brands to me:

Roosli
Spirig
Passier
Amerigo

Can anyone suggest the models within these brands that might have the straighter tree? For example, in the Amerigo brand, the Cortina model has the straighter tree. That is the extent of my research so far. If you know of other brands that I should check out too, please feel free to make a suggestion!

[CatOnLap]

what is the make and model of your current dressage saddle that the chiro hates?
what does he mean by "straight"? Is he talking about the weight bearing panels or the arch?
Is the saddle bridging? Is it sitting down on the withers or rising up off the horse's back? What exactly are the fit problems?

For example, the passier Baum tree is a fairly straight panelled spring tree that fits many horses well and can be adjusted in the arch by a saddler to fit the curve of the shoulder/wither area.

[Bogie]

I don't know about the relative straightness of the tree, but I've had my Roosli for 8 years and love it. My horses do, too.

[Ambrey]

I'd talk to a saddle fitter- even within the same tree design, different panel designs can make a lot of difference.

[AmericaRunsOnDunkin]

what is the make and model of your current dressage saddle that the chiro hates?
what does he mean by "straight"? Is he talking about the weight bearing panels or the arch?
Is the saddle bridging? Is it sitting down on the withers or rising up off the horse's back? What exactly are the fit problems?

For example, the passier Baum tree is a fairly straight panelled spring tree that fits many horses well and can be adjusted in the arch by a saddler to fit the curve of the shoulder/wither area.

My current saddle is a Collegiate something. I bought it 10 years ago to fit a round pony. It was fine to ride my Appendix QH in when I used it 1x a week for dressage "practice". Now I switched from eventing to dressage and rode in that saddle 5 days a week. That's when the problems started with my guy's back. The saddle tree is too curved for his back (must be the arch is too severe?), so it ends up rocking front to back quite a bit. A straighter tree (or flatter arch?) would allow the saddle to have even pressure from wither to loin. The chiro/saddle fitter said his back isn't hard to fit, its just the saddle that I have doesn't fit. Hope that helps.

[AmericaRunsOnDunkin]

I'd talk to a saddle fitter- even within the same tree design, different panel designs can make a lot of difference.

My chiro is also a saddle fitter. He told me he would come back when I got some saddles to try and would help me evaluate them. He didn't mention the panel design to look for.- another variable to think about! I will have to take some pictures of my guys back with me to the tack shop (they have a great consignment section)- they have a good reputation for fitting saddles to horses too. I just wanted to go in there with an idea of what I wanted to try first. Then I can take home 3 saddles for a week to tryout with my trainer and saddle fitter. Its nice to share the responsibility :)

[AmericaRunsOnDunkin]

I don't know about the relative straightness of the tree, but I've had my Roosli for 8 years and love it. My horses do, too.

Having options helps! I've never sat in one, but it was a recommended brand that helped develop a Classical seat. Looking forward to trying one out. Thanks for the recommendation. Do you happen to know what model it is?

[Hampton Bay]

The Bates/Wintec saddles seem to be less "banana shaped". Avoid the newer Stubbens though. You might also check into a Barnsby Luxus. I had one for a while and it was pretty flat. It bridged on my mare, who is a bit curvy.

[AmericaRunsOnDunkin]

The Bates/Wintec saddles seem to be less "banana shaped". Avoid the newer Stubbens though. You might also check into a Barnsby Luxus. I had one for a while and it was pretty flat. It bridged on my mare, who is a bit curvy.

That is very helpful!

[Equibrit]

My chiro is also a saddle fitter.


Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[Bogie]

Pretty sure it's the Pilatus. My coach had one and as soon as I sat in her's, I knew my search was over.

Having options helps! I've never sat in one, but it was a recommended brand that helped develop a Classical seat. Looking forward to trying one out. Thanks for the recommendation. Do you happen to know what model it is?

[dwblover]

I had a Prestige Galileo that I had to sell because it was too straight for my horse's curvier back. It also states on the website that it is made for a straighter-backed horse.

[Hampton Bay]

I had a Prestige Galileo that I had to sell because it was too straight for my horse's curvier back. It also states on the website that it is made for a straighter-backed horse.

I love that saddle. Prestige is so comfy, and the logo on it is just adorable. Of course, I am a science nerd.

[pintopiaffe]

For example, the passier Baum tree is a fairly straight panelled spring tree that fits many horses well

Really? I've always thought that Passiers were rather banana shaped? Maybe the new ones with gusseted panels are straighter? I think they fit so many for just the opposite reason... they curve up and away at the back, no digging in to loins at all...

:confused:

[Ambrey]

Curving up and away at the back isn't necessarily the same as being shaped for a curved back, though. They can be straight and then sweep up, rather than being arc-shaped from front to back.