Over the years I have seen many materials
being used in the construction of saddle trees, from aluminium, rubber, fibre
glass and timber.
Personally I favour Hoopping timber trees covered in greenhide. I have found
that a well constructed saddle gives you a saddle for life. If a tree is not
built correctly no amount of padding or building up with saddle blankets will
help in the prevention of sore backed horses. Over the years I have seen horse's
performance cut down by up to 50% as a direct result of a poor fitting saddle
tree.
It is the "Rock" of the saddle tree that plays an intrinsic part
in a well fitting saddle. By this, it is the position of the pivitol point
of the tree that moves with the horse. If the "Rock" is too far
foward it will put pressure on the wither when girthed up. If the "Rock"
of the tree is too far back it will put pressure on the wither and back when
girthed up.
The natural movement of the saddle can be directly affected by your girthing
position being incorrect which causes the "Rock" to become confined
which creates a sore backed horse. 30% of pressure points on the wither are
caused by your girth points being incorrect.
