TAKE A LOOK INSIDE A GFS XCH SADDLE - Changeable gullet bar & VERY flexible tree.

In this week's video, Poppy Webber (SMS QSF) looks inside a GFS XCH adjustable saddle, to check the tree. It's a synthetic tree... and it's super light and ever so flexible... but is it broken?
❓❓❓
These are really popular saddles. They're lightweight, adjustable, flocked and the GFS brand is well known as a quality brand (previously known as Fieldhouse for those old enough to remember that!).
What do you think about her findings? Is this a good idea or a bad idea? And why?
We're super interested to hear your thoughts so please comment below.
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Poppy Webber is a full-time (more than full-time!) Qualified Saddle Fitter for the Society of Master Saddlers. She also lectures, chit-chats and writes columns for magazines... all about saddles and saddle fitting.
🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴
She can be found on social media under /adayinthelifeofasaddlefitter
Saddle fitting enquiries via PeeWee Saddlery www.peeweesaddlery.co.uk or /peeweesaddlery on social media.
📩 Media and press enquires via www.poppywebber.co.uk
or simply search for #adayinthelifeofasaddlefitter

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

Thank you for your views and comments! Keep them going, I love answering questions! 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

[@briarly9919]

Even though you are an English saddle fitter, I’d love to see you break apart a very cheap leather western saddle. The wooden trees in them supposedly have holes along with many other issues.

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

Maybe I'll find a western saddler to do a collaboration with... because I really don't know anything about the Western saddles.

[@kippen64]

Perhaps not suitable for a heavier rider?

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

it would be so interesting to look into this, wouldn't it?

[@egs_schroeder3916]

Could you do a CWD saddle?

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

I will if I get one in to check x

[@trishbarsby2516]

I love these videos. My now retired mare had me studying saddle fit. I ended up going treeless with her. Its was the only type of saddle she would round her back in. The weight distribution comes from the pad. That is why treeless pads are so darn expensive. I have wondered about flex trees. Would they benefit from w weight distributing saddle pad? The horse I ride now like the western saddle but not the english saddle. So back to the drawing board. Love seeing the inside of saddle and how they could effect the ride.

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

It really depends on the type of flex in the tree - as usually flex = a pressure point somewhere :)

[@Senapsdesign]

Id think that due to the shape, I couldn't flex the other way(downward)? So then it would be ok right?

[@egs_schroeder3916]

Also can the gullet bar cause wither sores? Because my horse alway gets wither sores

[@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter]

Not if it is screwed in snugly and correctly. The gullet bar gives the front strength and stops it collapsing on the withers. X

[@chanel.whores9101]

I have a GFS Advantage, it’s a older model one
Absolutely love it!