Hello!! I have a Bob Marshall Sport Saddle that I use on my VARY round paint gelding. I LOVE IT!! I would never put anything else on him. He is a different beast with that saddle. I tried a BMSS on him & fell in love with it. THEN I seen the price of them... & I was very depressed. I coudn't afford one on my limited budget. So I started looking for a used one. I lucked out & found one for $500.00 that was in excellant condition.

I would recommend looking on the treeless websites for a used BMSS if you like that saddle. You should be able to find one that is in your price range. you could even look on ebay. That might help.

If you can't find a BMSS, check out the other brands on ebay. A friend of mine bought a Hilason and she really likes it. I checked it out myself & will be buying one of them for my 10 yr old son. I think they are a good alternative to the high priced saddles if you want a spare or something like for my son, he is growing so fast!! I can't see spending the money on a BMSS that he is going to out grow in a season.

Just my humble opinion,

rockin_horse72

I bought one of the original BM treeless saddles back in '96 and use it on a regular basis on a variety of horses and it's fit everyone of them.  I used it yesterday on a borrowed horse with high withers and rode 20 miles, no problem.  I bought it originally for my mutton withered rather large muscular QH as it was the only saddle to fit him properly. 

   If you can buy one, get it cause they are great saddles.

Working  at a vet clinic I have seen the end results of treeless saddles.  They may seem comfortable for now, but down the road you will have back trouble with your horses.  What happens is the concussion on the spine is no longer protected against when you take the tree away.  Every time you trot you are causing concussion on those vertebrae in the back, which is not a good thing.  More and more studies are showing these saddles are not good for a horses spine.  The best saddle is a custom made saddle for your horse, but not everyone can afford that, so the best thing to do is ensure your saddle is a proper fit.  With the treeless, the saddle conforms to the spine, there is no "gap" to keep the concussion off the spine.  I just thought I would add my 2 cents.  In the long run, a tree will save a horses back, not the treeless saddle. 

I rode my QH in it for 5 years and his current owner is also using one and no problems.  My current horse is a TW, so no trotting - he gaits.  I've seen tons of issues with poorly fitting saddles with trees - white hairs, hollow withers, horses that sit down when the saddles are girthed since they don't fit right.

     Proper saddle fitting is paramount.  I check my horse's back after and before every ride and so far no white hairs and no soreness, so I plan on sticking with my treeless saddle.  thanks for your caution and I will keep checking him to make sure he's not sore.

Sorry for the previous post, my mind went blank! Ha.  Anyway, thanks for responding.  I had a hunch it was the saddle.  I just noticed it not too long ago.  I have been riding him with the same saddle for 3 years so it might be the saddle or him.  I have an Abetta saddle so maybe it could be the wear of the saddle as well.  He is a Morgan and the poor guy is so round and fat--he is a very easy keeper and needs to be ridden more than he is, especially this time of year.  I like riding in the winter but not in high winds when it is 10 degrees outside.   I also thought about looking into a new saddle pad after reading other postings on this site.  Suggestions welcome.