Flex Tree Frequent Questions

1. Can flexible trees warp or cave in?
We don’t know where this myth came from, but quite frankly, it’s preposterous. Flex trees are relatively new to the equine industry (in comparison with the age old wooden tree), and we suppose that if someone only heard the term “flexible tree” without knowing what it is, this myth would be easily spawned.

Many people hear the term and assume that a flex tree is bendable like a piece of plastic or rubber. In reality, flex trees only “flex” about a centimeter in either direction, and only under pounds of pressure. You would probably find it hard to even see a flex tree “flexing.”

This centimeter of movement, however, is what makes the flex tree more comfortable for the horse and allows the saddle to conform better to his movement. We’re not going to recommend flex trees for roping or ranch work, but we’re willing to say that under trail and pleasure conditions, there’s no way a flex tree is going to warp or cave in.

2. Do the neoprene bars cause the saddle to flatten out on the horse?
No. Flexible bars made out of neoprene are made out of very heavy neoprene; think about the rubber sole of a work boot. The bars will not flatten out on your horse because they are connected to a ground seat, which forces the saddle to hold its shape.

3. Will the flexible bars help the saddle to fit better?
Yes and no. It depends on how good of a fit you have, to begin with. If you have a bad fit, to begin with, the flexible bars may make the fit tolerable, but by no means comfortable for the horse. If you have a good fit, to begin with, the flexibility will allow the horse to work with the saddle, giving him more freedom of movement in the shoulders.

4. The flex trees above are made differently. Is one better than the other?
If you want the highest quality, go with the flex trees that incorporate a wooden cantle and swell with neoprene bars. You get the benefits of strength and durability of a traditional wood tree with the new flexible technology. We don't see these saddles wearing out very easily.

Circle Y Flex2 Tree

Many people ask about the Circle Y Flex2 Tree.  We decided to go inside the saddle and show you some of it's great features!  It's one of the best trees on the market; great for trail riders and running barrels.

Circle Y Flex2 Tree

The tree has a two part system that provides flexibility and stability.  The edges of the saddle (black bar) will flex to eliminate pressure points and allow better movement.  This flexibility makes your horse feel more comfortable and confident.  The center area underneath the rider has a thicker bar (white bar) that does not flex.  It helps distribute the rider's weight and gives strength to the tree.

The Flex2 Tree also has a wood swell, which helps keep a consistent fit that doesn't widen over time.
The ground seat on the saddle will prevent it from over-flexing and gives support for the rider's weight.

The black coating on the swell is DuraHide which adds strength and seals the tree from the elements.  It can even withstand temperatures from -50 to 350 degrees!

We get asked time and again, are flex trees bad for my horse?  Can a heavy rider use a flex tree?
Circle Y has been making these trees for years with great results, just ask Kelly Kaminski, Julie Goodnight, Martha Josey, and many more that use the Flex2 Tree!  They even make many models in 17inch and 18inch seat sizes specifically for larger riders to use.

The Flex2 comes in Regular size for the average build, higher withered horse and Wide size for the broader, mutton withered horse.  They even make a few models with an Extra Wide, Gaited, Arabian, and Mule fit.

Don't be afraid of a comfortable saddle!  Your horse will thank you for it!  Check them out right now at Horse Saddle Shop, #1 Circle Y Dealer!

10 Most Popular Saddles of 2013: #10

This post is part of a series exploring the 10 most popular saddles from Horse Saddle Shop over the first half of 2013.

#10: Circle Y 1528 Barrel Saddle | Price: $1545.99

If you need to go fast and look good doing it, the Kelly Kaminski 1528 barrel saddle is a good choice.

You cannot miss the bling on this saddle. It starts with the clear crystal mosaic conchos from the skirt to the Cheyenne roll cantle. Circle Y has also included decorative flank plates for a little extra shine around the back.

We love the impeccable deep flower tooling and the soft quality leather. You’ll also notice straight stitching around the cantle and skirt. Topping it off is a beautiful rawhide-laced horn for a little extra strength and a nice finished look. “Quality” on this saddle is an understatement.

Customers are always impressed with this saddle’s “sticking power” in the seat. Circle Y created this with a 5” cantle and sued seat. Couple that with the smaller seat sizes desired by most barrel racers and this saddle gives you the impression that you’re Velcroed in.

Kelly helped design the horn so that both height and style help you lock your elbow into your hip around the barrels for consistent turns.

We were impressed by the minimal 21lbs. that this saddle weighs in at – in part made possible by the extra light Flex2 tree.

Between the Flex2 tree and the thick synthetic blend fleece, your horse should be just as comfortable as you in this saddle – one of Kelly Kaminski’s requests when developing this design.

Overall, this is one of our best barrel saddles at a fantastic price. You can get more information on this saddle over at HorseSaddleShop.com.