Saddle fitting for every horse: beyond the hoop tree debate
When it comes to fitting saddles for horses with broader backs or wider conformations, there's often confusion about which saddle tree design is best. At Arena Saddles, we believe in offering flexible solutions that adapt to your horse's unique shape rather than limiting you to a single design philosophy.
Understanding the emergence of the hoop tree and wide-horse fitting
Hoop trees have gained popularity for horses with wider conformations like cobs, baroque breeds, and some native ponies. The design was intended to provide a broader, flatter fit and provide more room around larger spines.
The flexibility advantage of the EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution
While hoop trees may serve a specific purpose, our EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution offers something even better, adaptability. Instead of committing to a single tree shape that may not accommodate your horse's changing physique, our system allows you to make precise adjustments as needed.
Our EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution includes the following.
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EASY-CHANGE Gullet System: Allows you to select the optimal tree width for your horse's current shape, offering sizes from Narrow to Extra Wide.
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EASY-CHANGE Gullet System WIDE: For particularly broad horses, offering gullet sizes from 1XW to 4XW.
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EASY-CHANGE Riser System: Enables adjustments within the saddle panel for optimal balance and clearance.
Why our WIDE range offers the same benefits as hoop trees
Our WIDE range saddles with the EASY-CHANGE Gullet System WIDE provide all the advantages often associated with hoop trees.
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Broader chamber design to accommodate wide backs.
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Flatter panels that distribute weight evenly.
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Comfortable fit for horses with minimal withers.
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Stable, secure fit on broader conformations.
The crucial difference is that our system isn't static. As your horse changes shape through fitness development, aging, or seasonal variations, your saddle can adapt.
The myth of "needing a hoop tree"
Hearing that you "need a hoop tree" for your broad-backed horse oversimplifies saddle fitting. What your horse truly needs is a saddle that does the following.
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Matches their current conformation.
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Distributes weight evenly.
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Allows freedom of movement.
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Can adapt as they change shape.
The EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution achieves all these goals without locking you into a single tree design. It's not about the marketing term attached to the tree; it's about how well the saddle fits your horse.
Benefits of an adjustable system versus a fixed tree
With a fixed tree saddle (whether standard or hoop) you may notice the following.
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When your horse changes shape, the saddle may no longer fit.
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You might need to purchase an entirely new saddle.
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Temporary solutions like shimming with pads become necessary.
With our EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution you can do the following.
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Adjust your saddle in minutes as your horse develops.
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Make measurable, symmetrical and completely reversible changes.
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Avoid the cost of buying multiple saddles.
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Ensure your horse remains comfortable throughout changes in fitness and maturity.
The complete comfort system
Our innovative approach to saddle fitting doesn't stop at the tree.
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Elastiflex tree: Designed to be rigid through the length of the saddle while possessing true lateral flexion to work with the horse's muscles. The EASY-CHANGE gullet plate governs the width of the tree from the waist to the tree points.
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CAIR Cushion System: A dynamic air panel system that replaces traditional fillings with air, allowing the panels to fluidly adapt to your horse's working muscles.
The CAIR Cushion System works in tandem with our EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution to provide unparalleled comfort. As a fluid medium, air constantly adapts to your horse's muscles, distributing weight evenly across the entire panel and virtually eliminating pressure points. This encourages your horse to soften, relax and engage, resulting in freer movement and better carriage.
Unlike traditional flocked panels that require regular maintenance and can be inconsistently adjusted, the CAIR system provides consistent performance without the risk of human error. The air cushions cannot be over-inflated (causing bounce) or under-inflated (resulting in excessive movement).
Making informed decisions about saddle fit
Rather than focusing solely on whether a saddle has a "hoop tree," we encourage riders to look at the complete picture.
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Tree width: Does it match your horse's current conformation?
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Panel contact: Do the panels make even contact across your horse's back?
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Wither clearance: Is there appropriate clearance for your horse's specific anatomy?
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Balance: Does the saddle sit level when the girth is tightened?
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Adaptability: Can the saddle be adjusted as your horse changes?
Conclusion: Beyond marketing terms
While "hoop tree" has become a recognised term in saddle fitting, what matters most is how well a saddle fits your individual horse. Our EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution offers all the benefits of specialised tree designs with the added advantage of adaptability.
Whether your horse has a broad back, minimal withers, or any other conformation characteristic, we believe in providing solutions that prioritise your horse's comfort and your peace of mind. With Arena Saddles' innovative HART, which incorporates EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution and CAIR Cushion System technology, you can enjoy the confidence of knowing your saddle can adapt to your horse's changing needs throughout your partnership.
For personalised advice on fitting your horse, please contact one of our Arena Saddles stockists.
