Since most people can not afford a custom saddle and need one that fits a variety of horses... A slightly flexing tree will fit more of a variety of horses. Especially a saddle with a "shoulder flare". Again, the flex will allow blood flow to compressed muscles as the horse moves allowing more endurance and a healthier back. It's not a "gadget". I did long distance racing on bikes sitting on a bicycle racing saddle. Six hours on a bike was comfortable ONLY when I switched to a carbon seat that dampened road vibration and also flexed slightly with my pedaling. I do not know how the racers did it in the old days on the old saddles. On the same concept did I look at saddles for horses. www.horsetackreview.com and research Continental Believe me, I see quite a bit of saddle fit issues. I'm not saying the flex tree is a cure-all but it is an option Tree-less saddles seem to cause more issues than they prevent. Just my opinion and research...take it as you may.

I don't have even 2 cents I can add but maybe one. I live in a meca of leather working people (Nocona, Texas) and there are many custom saddle makers near here so I'm not a stranger to good saddles. Lots of the ranchers around here and their hands have several horses and so do we. We keep 2 or 3 but the others come and go so buying a custom saddle for each one would not be pratical. We pay attention to the needs of each horse and try to fit one of a half dozen or our saddles to the horse. In a perfect world, each would have their own tack but ours is not perfect. We can't buy custom saddles, bits ect and figure there are many in the same position we are in. So for those new horse owners looking for information and can't afford top quality, you can get equipment that will work for your horse and not cost $$$$$$. If you are not sure how to fit a saddle, find someone in your circle that does and ask questions. There are lots of sites on the internet that provides info on how its done. Most of the old time saddle makers I know, will gladly show you what to look for even if you can't afford one of his custom rigs. I kinda more or less somewhat agree with Fremont. PS I think Roper John has a treeless saddle that didn't come from walmart. He swears by it for lots of his riding activities. I think it looks weird but then again you have to consider the owner.

So correct Single Filly. Technology has changed and if you demo a saddle you will feel it In my business, soundness starts in the feet Then your saddle Throw away the rest of the horse if you are not going to pay incredible attention to those two aspects.

edited to the topic.I always get off the subject at hand : A ill fitting saddle that doesnt fit correctly will do alot of harm to the horse no matter what..alot of issues arise due to it .. misBehaving, soreness . lameness, all kinds.. I think the treeless is quite odd but no experience with flex trees. I would think your weight would not stay distributed correctly therefore causing concerns and issues. try dover saddlery..they have a try and buy option..

The "tried and true" has always worked for me. A good rawhide covered wood tree and a solid saddle built around it can't be beat. Most of the new tech saddles I've seen don't amount to much, especially after a bit of use, not a lot of use, just a bit of use. My good old saddle is a Modified Association tree and the maker is S. A. Brown of Big Bend Saddlery, Alpine Texas. I've used this saddle on high withered thoroughbred horses, quarter horses, walkers, and some mules. Mules are the most particular and sometimes a saddle with mule bars is necessary. But, then some mules do fine with quarter horse bars. Here's the problem as I see it: Most riders, especially middle age and older riders are way too fat and there is no possibility they can spend a day in the saddle without being very uncomfortable and they're real tough on the poor critter that has to pack their fat butts around besides. The other problem is spoiled horses and there isn't a saddle built that will fix em. Take em out and shoot em then learn some horsemanship for your next one. I guess I'm being a little cranky but it gets old watching well intentioned folks trying to fix their horse problems with every kind of gadget while avoiding the really obvious solutions and the ones that will work. Why would anyone want a "flex saddle"? Oh, don't forget the "let down stirrups" or, the ones that disconnect if you get fouled because you figured wearing your running shoes was fine for a little afternoon spin on old "Snort".

I think about saddles like shoes. As does a foot so does a horse and horses. My preference in boots is always custom made. One size does not fit all! This is very true with horses. Having a few, horses,and a pair of feet, each horse is quite different. One saddle will fit well on one horse and not the other. Then take into account the use of the saddle, cutting, reining, working cow horse, roping, dressage, jumping, hunting etc. Flat skirts or padded, deep seat, free moving fenders and so on. A "factory" saddle is just that mass produced and marketed. A custom saddle is just that. My last saddle is a one of a kind, produced for me and my horse with very specific construction. I shopped around talking with both riders and saddle makers for a year. Sitting in numerous saddles with various trees well knowing what I wanted, I know the anatomy of my horse that I was going to use the saddle on. Some saddle makers even wanted to see my horse move with different saddles, working a cow, slidding a stop, spinning a spin, or just loping a circle with different saddles I had on her (even a good shoer will ask to see a horse move before they build a shoe and what one uses that horse for but that is a whole other topic). I finally found a small saddle maker who built my saddle in Texas, Mike Pish. He produced for me a one of a kind first ever working cow horse saddle that moved like a cutter, sat like a Reiner, and fit my top mare to a tee. I use the same pad with the same saddle, typically a 7/8 inch Won Pad. It is my experience that pads are like shoes they need to break in and once broken in fit like gloves just like a boot and sock. Taking all this a step further I do the same with bits. Off the "rack" is not always best. Bits are fit not just taken of the bridle rack and hung in a horse’s mouth. The mechanics are huge thus I have bits that are made or opt to try bits from small bit makers that include quality, fit, and feel. If a person is concerned with a more natural feel in a saddle why not just ride bareback. So there is my two cents worth.

A word of caution here, what works for 1 doesn't always work for the other. Do your research, fit the saddle to the horse.Some of the vets that also do Chiopracter also have a saddle fit thingy that goes between the horse and pad, this thing shows hot spots and proper fitting, it's been around for a few years.Good luck with your quest, but keep an open mind and look at the whole picture.Ole Hoss

I looked around quite a bit for as close to a perfect saddle as I could find, that would help my clients. In my opinion, Steele makes the best flex tree. You can have too much flex, not enough, or a weak tree. Continental Saddles makes a wonderful saddle with the Steele Equi-flex tree. Very high quality and there is a flare at the shoulders as well as just enough flex. Steele took 10 yrs to develope this tree. I saw a phenomenal difference in my reining mare's performance, HER back issues disappeared and she was fresher after a long ride, MY back did not hurt after riding. My clients LOVE them! With a regular tree you can have muscle compression inhibiting circulation and muscle function. With a slightly flexing saddle, you have better blood circulation to the back muscles, as well as the trapezius and intercostals. I have a dealership and demos if interested. I would use this saddle for anything but roping. www.horsetackreview.com and search Continental www.continentalsaddles.com www.phoenixbodyworks.com

I've heard both sides of the story. I've heard a problem with the flex is that it flexes to the rider's weight also; therefore, it does not evenly distribute the load properly. I have thought about buying one also as my foundation apps have higher withers. It will be interesting to read everyone's thoughts.

I am interested in purchasing a flex saddle. Ive heard from friends they are great. My horse has big withers and wide gullet so it may be challenging to fit him but I think the flex saddle may be my best bet.