Tree Types

Each and every saddle has a tree that serves as its primary support structure, also known as its “chasis.” Because of this, it is absolutely essential that the correct profile be selected by your saddle fitter in order to mirror the shape of your horse’s back. This will allow the weight of the rider to be distributed effectively over the maximum acceptable surface area of the horse’s back, which will result in a reduction in pressure.

These trees are made of a variety of materials these days including

Wood Trees: totally crafted from different types of wood. Certain types of wood have a more stiff structure, while others have a more flexible structure. In general, they are rather more weighty than other types of trees. For example, Passier included bamboo in their trees so that they would have some degree of elasticity.
Spring Trees: The phrase “spring tree” comes from the fact that these trees are made of laminated wood (often beech or birch) that is then strengthened with spring steel bars; thus the name “spring tree.” The spring steel bars provide the tree with reinforcement while also allowing the wood within the tree to be thinner. This results in the tree being lighter and more flexible.
Plastic Trees: Lightweight injection-moulded (plastic) trees are produced by making use of a mould during the manufacturing process. They can be either flexible or rigid, depending on the sort of material that was used to manufacture them, and some of them can be modified while others cannot.
Carbon Fibre Trees: The carbon fibre trees are robust and flexible, in addition to being extremely lightweight (especially compared to the traditional wooden and metal tree). They are manufactured in a mould, just like the injection-moulded trees, thus the proportions of the finished product may be quite precise. Because the material is so much thinner, they also provide a greater degree of touch between the rider and the horse.

There are two main types or styles of trees that are used in most saddles.

Classic Tree

Saddles with the ‘classic’ style of tree have a head that is formed like an A frame or a “V,” and the tree has a very minor curvature to it. The vast majority of horses, particularly those with withers and backs that are quite standard in size and shape, are ideal candidates for these saddles.

Hoop Tree

These trees have a head that is formed like a letter ‘U’ and are wider than average. The gullet is typically broader, and the rails are typically flatter, in order to accommodate horses with a broad, flat back and little to no wither.