Hilason Treeless Saddle
Trail Riding/Barrel Racing Saddle Round Skirt
Trail Saddles
Manufacturer: Hilason Treeless Saddle
Model: Trail Riding/Barrel Racing Saddle Round Skirt
Category: Trail Saddles
Purchase: I found the Hilason Saddle on ebay while looking for a treeless saddle that would fit my two saddle mules. I had experienced trouble with saddle trees rubbing my mules even with a mule bar saddle. I am also nearing 60 years of age and a lighter saddle is easier to tack up and I am a short person as well. I paid around $449.00 for the saddle over a year ago. The saddle was listed on ebay through the Hilason Company. Also, I wanted a saddle that would fit most any horse as well.
Likes: It is a great saddle for the money. Very well built and rides good. I ride rough terrain most of the time including steep and winding mountain trails with switchbacks. The high back and pommel hold me in place easily. The d-rings front and back work fine with my mule britchen (which I prefer) or a crupper. I use it on both my mules. One is absolutely wide, muscled up and flat backed and the other is slim and more horsey built. Works fine on either one. I like the variation in color. I chose the light tan color and it matches my light tan britchen and breast collar very well. Also, there comes with the saddle a second leather support for the cantle which makes the seat smaller for holding you in turning barrels. It fastens firmly to the cantle with straps. I don't run barrels but it seems this could be helpful on steep trail rides to hold you in the saddle even better.
Dislikes: I do not like the saddle fenders which are two separate units. If you are not careful they will pinch your calves. However, if you keep your legs straight it rarely happens. I will probably change the fenders to the normal western one piece type. This is only noticeable to me being short and having the stirrups short, on a taller person I double it would bother you. The second thing is nylon rigging holding the stirrups is a little on the light side. Not to much of a problem if you are a light person or do not do too much riding. It has never failed but I wonder at times. I would gladly change the fenders for the price of the low investment and the ride comfort of the saddle.
Quality: This saddle is well constructed for the money. The leather seems to be very good, well stitched throughout. Plenty of d-rings for breast collars, brichen, cruppers, and saddle bags. This saddle doesn't seem to mildew and mold as much as my other leather saddle do. I am not sure why but I left my saddle in my trailer all winter and saw no mole or mildew. As I mentioned above the dislikes are the fenders and light nylon rigging.
Summary: Very well pleased with my Hilson especially from a mule riders standpoint. Mules are one of the hardest to fit with a saddle as each mule is different and conformed almost opposite to a horse. I like the thought if I wanted to ride a horse with this saddle it would fit the horse as well. I recently noticed that Hilason has a twelve inch childrens saddle now. I am thinking about buying one of those for my granddaughter to ride my mules with me.
Rating: 4
Author: Carolina Mule Rider
Date: 2006-05-23
Usefulness Rating: 3.73684 out of 5.
57 reader(s) voted.
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