PFL Inc. News

 Press Release #1 Dec. 1, 2009

Kuda Flex Treeless Saddles Hit the Market

Riders Now Have a Choice!

Blanchard, 12/1/09

Treeless Saddles are far from new to the Equestrian Community, but the Kuda Flex Saddles offered by PFL Inc. of Blanchard, Id., are addressing some saddle fitting issues presented by horses and also concerns of riders that the other brands have not.

Most treeless saddles or “soft Saddles” have one unique feature; they readily form to the horses back. For horses with deformities, such as atrophied muscles, swayed spine, or simply oversensitive withers, treeless saddles offer an alternative to the hard straight bars of traditional saddles that just will not match up, and therefore compound the problems. As people keep their equine partners far into their advanced ages, the problems are compounded further. Although all treeless saddles offer an alternative, the Kuda treeless goes a step further, and answers some major complaints against going treeless.

The Kuda Flex System addresses the following complaints about Treeless Saddles.

•  Treeless Saddles do not distribute the riders weight all along the tree bar as a wooden tree does. The complaint is that all the riders weight comes down on the horses spine directly under the riders seat. The Kuda Flex addresses this problem by having bars made of leather and foam which lifts the rider up off the spine thus creating an air channel and giving relief down the length of the spine. This pressure can be further relieved by adding a Therapeutic Saddle pad such as the Skito Saddle pad which has been recommended by Treeless Saddle Retailers for years
•  Another complaint against treeless saddles is that they roll. Because of the soft but firm bar system and the hard Pommel and Cantle System of the Kuda Flex Saddles, this saddle does not slide or roll any more than a normal saddle with a wooden tree. In fact this saddle tends to stick to the horse because it forms perfectly to the horses back. Using a Skito Pad compounds this affect. With the added support of a Breast Collar and Crupper, the need for a super tight saddle is also eliminated. 

•   The third complaint and probably the most important for the Kuda Flex, is that treeless saddles are only recommended for use on horses that have round bodies without a protruding spine and wither. Traditional treeless and soft saddles can be described as a thick saddle pad with a pommel, cantle, and stirrups attached. This causes pressure on a horse with protruding spines and high withers. The Kuda Flex addresses this by offering a stiff raised gullet which holds the saddle up off the withers and soft bars which raises the saddle above the spine.

Because the gullet is rigid, three widths are offered in the Kuda Flex line to accommodate almost all breeds of horses. The original saddle with a narrow gullet was developed for the Paso Fino, Peruvian Paso, Icelandic Pony, Rocky Mountain horse, and other small barreled, high withered horses. The Medium width gullet was developed for the Arabians, Tennessee Walkers, Saddlebreds, Fox Trotters and other horses with the medium width withers. The Wide gullet was later developed for Quarter Horses, Andalusians, and other wider withered horses.

The original Kuda Flex Saddle was intended as a Gaited Saddle, as it frees up the withers and allows gaited horses to move unencumbered for superior gait. However, the air channel, stiff gullet, and flexible bars have given the Kuda Flex a great opportunity to address the needs of the conformationally troubled horse as well.

Available in four beautiful designs, the Kuda Flex gives riders of all disciplines a choice. Although the Western Flex is not a roping saddle, it is a superb Western Pleasure Saddle, a Competitive Trail Saddle, Endurance Saddle, Trail Saddle, or Training Saddle. The Flex Trail Saddle is the most popular with women and trail riders, with it’s beauty, secure pocket to sit in, and grab bar across the front. The Premier Trail has a flatter seat and bucking rolls for a more manly look, and can have a horn added as well. The English version, the Master Flex has a cut back wither, knee rolls, and optional thigh rolls and can be used for trail or show. All are made with superior leather and with comfort in mind for both horse and rider. This saddle looks like it has a tree, but gives the close feel of a treeless.

With all the positive features of the Kuda Flex Saddles and the range of designs and sizes available, this saddle is sure to make a large splash in the equestrian market .   

PFL Inc., established in 2000, is a family run company focusing on the sale of Paso Fino Trail Horses, the Saddles and Tack that compliment Trail Horses, and equine metal art. These items can be purchased at www.pflus.com