tree

Question
hello ma'am, pertaining to this video, you replied me as follows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_5-7l7wFLA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzRkIum3c7I&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

"The information sounds fine. The horse's saddle looks as if it does not fit....too tight on the withers. ( The tree is too wode).It needs a Wintec pad which is sold in the States"

what do you mean by tree?

Answer
The tree of the saddle is the form which is the basic fit and shape of the saddle.

It can be of different materials....fiberglass or wood,for example.

The padding is put around the tree.....and now this can be different materials.....they even have air now.

The tree needs to fit the shape of the horse's back. It needs to come off of the horse's back,(with the help of the padding#, so that there is a clear channel to allow no weight to come directly on the horse's spine, withers and shoulders.

You should put on a saddle without a pad on the horse and make sure #first by standing behind) that there is a clear channel down the middle of the spine. Then from the front you should be able to run your hand from the top of the pommel down part of the shoulder and not have your hand "pinched".

I have found many trees too wide and they sit down on the withers of the horse. This puts pressure and pain on the horse, but most endure it but many eventually become lame.This also leads to horses bucking, rearing, running away, etc., because of the pain .

You should be able to put four fingers between the top of the middle of the withers and the top of the pommel of the saddle.