Traditional saddles are able to spread weight evenly over the back of the horse with the help of a tree. With treeless saddles, there is no tree to spread the weight. We have developed our unique weight-distribution system that is one of the features found on all Sensation Ride saddles. This system allows the weight to be distributed evenly from front to back when weight is placed in the stirrups, as long as the stirrup leathers are attached to the bottom of the flap. If free-swinging stirrups are used, there is potential to cause tender areas behind the horse’s wither, where the stirrup base sits. For this reason, we do not recommend using freeswing.