HILASON treeless saddles

[Arabian Heart]

Does anyone know anything about these saddles. I've been needing to replace my bob marshall treeless for a while now but haven't because they are so expensive, this Hilason saddle seems like a good compromise.

Gee I guess everyone is going treeless now, there are treeless saddles every where, wonder what Bob Marshall thinks about that.. :rolleyes:

[Clydelover]

I know treeless saddles seem like they may be more humane, but the tree actually allows the riders weight to be more evenly distributed across the horses ribs.

That said, <shrug> some horses seem to like treeless saddles.

I wrote to 12 folk who bought Hilason Treeless saddles on Ebay to ask what they thought of them. All 12 wrote back to say that they were comfortable, well made. Were easy to mount in. Didn't slip around the horses back. But all 12 also said they had only used the saddle once. I intend to write back to them all in a few months to see if they still feel that way.

On Ebay, simply go to a sellers Feedback rating. There you will see all their feedback and ratings. Many of the feedbacks will say something like "Nice Saddle". click on them to see if it is a hilason saddle. If so, write the buyer and ask how they like the saddle... that's all I did.

[Eagle]

I bought one off ebay. It was the most uncomfortable saddle I have ever sat in. It also had many defects. I sent the saddle back and am waiting for my refund. The man I talked to was very friendly, but the saddle was a poor one. It can not compare to a Bob Marshall.

Ola

[Arabian Heart]

Thanks guys. I had no intention of buying one from ebay, I was going to buy it from Hilason. :) If I wait for a sale there probably isn't much difference in price.

I guess it's getting mixed reviews, but Bob Marshall did too. Eagle, did you own a Bob Marshall ? That might be the difference. Those of us that owned and used Bob Marshall saddles for years might not like the Hilason and those who never used a treeles might think they are just fine. :)

I think I'm going to have to see one, feel one and used one, after all you get what you pay for. ;)

As for the weight distribution, that can be a flaw. You need to be a pretty good rider and use a skido pad, which helps distribute the weight. When Bob Marshall saddles first came out they weren't recommenced for larger people, I don't know if that is still true. And they don't fit all back's. My Bob Marshall did not fit my TB. Her backbone sat up to high and so the weight wasn't being distributed, it sat on her back bone.

Thanks again.

[Eagle]

E, I have never owned a Bob Marshall, but I did use a friends. I love the BM, just can't afford one right now.

The Hilason pinched my legs. The fender leather was not sewn into the saddle right. The dye was not even, and it had a bad smell to it. Not like leather should smell.

I feel I am a good rider and have good balance. I am 5'2" and weigh 140#. The seat of the saddle was not the problem. It was the fenders. I even rode without the stirups and that didn't help.

I got my refund today. When I talk to the man at Hilason, he was very nice and did not charge me the restocking fee (9%), because of the defects in the saddle. You might like the saddle, but after only a short time in the saddle, I knew it wasn't for me. The shipping costs did add up, but they did refund the purchase price.

I think I will keep saving my money and buy a Bob Marshall.

Good luck,
Ola

[Wills510]

My wife has always wanted a treeless saddle and we decided to go with Hilason. We ordered through their web site, order was confirmed and all was well. After six weeks and many unanswered phone calls I finally found out that the saddle we ordered was discontinued. They were nice and sent me an email with other choices and we picked one. When it came it looked great and the little woman was happy. We tried the saddle, which the horse loved, but found that we could not let the stirrup straps out enough. The straps measured 38 inches. We measured our other saddle's straps and a few others: all about 58 inches. I called and they said they would make us new straps and send them right out...that was a month ago. We're sending the saddle back. :mad:

Good luck all,
Wills

[HORSELOVER1]

Well, I Just Got A Hilason Treeless Saddle, And I Could Really Not Believe How Beautiful And Comfortable It Is.this Was Not The Case About Five Years Ago.
There Quality And Comfort Level Is Absolutely Awsome Now.more Especially There weight Distribution System.its Magical.
I Previously Had A Bob Marshall. Now I Cannot Recall Where I Have Kept It Or May Be Even Lost It. I May Just End Up Selling It On Any Auction Site. In Summary, I Would Say That They Are Atleast The Same If Not Better Than The Bob Marshall Sadddle.

[Laura Mc]

We had a terrible experience with ordering a Hilason saddle. Took a LONG time to get it, during which waiting time we couldn't get straight answers (or even return phone calls or emails) to our inquiries about when the saddle would arrive. They eventually shipped it -- to someone else! -- and when it finally arrived (after MORE phone calls and emails) it was unusable because one of the machine screws that holds the pommel to the saddle body was bent and stripped. After much email arguing they did finally agree to allow us to return it and get a full refund. Very frustrating. Now I've waited ten weeks and still have no saddle. :(

[Penny]

Thanks for starting this thread AH! I've been looking at the Hilason saddles lately too (endurance models). I've never even sat in a treeless (heck, I've never even seen one! LOL!) and I thought the Hilason would be a good starting point for my hard-to-fit standardbred. I think from the reviews here, I'll just keep looking for a good quality saddle - treeless or treed - sounds like the quality may be the big factor. Thanks!

[jumpinghorses]

My comment is just about Treeless:

My experience is limited with treeless saddles but they certainly are popular. The company I work for sold out of them and are working frantically to make more, they sell like hot cakes. I may not like the look of treeless saddles but people seem to love them.

[ShadowfaX]

A few frieds of mine have the Big hors synthetic treeless and are very happy. Personally I prefer the old fashioned leather saddle with a good rawhide wraped wood tree. But to each his own. As long as you and your horse are happy. :)