Flex tree saddles have a flexible skeletal frame that accommodates the horse and rider’s movement. The tree bar should fit close to the horse’s shoulders and around his back, without touching his spine. The innovative design allows more freedom for the horse, puts less force on pressure points, and adjusts to fit when riding. The most important component of any saddle is a perfect fit. Riders developed the flex tree saddle after encountering poor performing saddles that resulted in sore muscles, swelling, blisters, or “dead” communication between horse and rider. The bars of an ergonomic flex tree saddle are made of stiffened rubber, molded steel, or carved wood, alone or in combination to create a resilient yet sturdy base. The saddle is lighter and more comfortable for the horse, and the rider is in closer physical communication with the horse.
A flex tree saddle has a rigid skeletal frame molded from material that flexes to accommodate the movement of the horse and rider. The tree bar fits close to the horse’s shoulders and around his back, but shouldn’t touch his spine. The innovative design of a flex shaft saddle allows the horse more freedom, puts less force on pressure points, and adjusts to fit when riding in gait or stride.
A saddle tree comprises two branches that wrap around the front and back of the saddle like boomerangs. The front bar of the tree is the pommel and the back bar is the headstock. They need to hold the saddle at just the right angle to distribute the rider’s weight evenly across the horse, as well as bend slightly with the horse’s shoulders, back, and withers each time he takes a step. Even with a flex shaft, the most important component of any saddle is a perfect fit, taking into account size, slope and grip.
Riders, trainers and equipment builders developed the flex tree saddle after growing dissatisfied with traditional saddles. They kept encountering poor performing saddles that resulted in sore muscles, swelling, blisters or “dead” communication between horse and rider. They wanted a lighter saddle with more suppleness that didn’t need as much padding.
Other saddles use fiberglass or metal in the traditional stiff bars. They do a good job of holding the shape of the saddle, but limit the horse’s flexibility. The bars of an ergonomic flex tree saddle are made of stiffened rubber, molded steel, or carved wood, alone or in combination to create a resilient yet sturdy base. They may be lightly padded with foam, rubber, or neoprene.
Whether you’re riding along the beach, competing in dressage, keeping animals, or teaching a student, a flexible tree saddle will make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable for your horse. The lighter weight of the entire saddle and the snugger fit of the shaft means you don’t need to add as many canvas, foam or gel cushions. Eventually you are in closer physical communication with your horse.
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