Mildred is a 14.3 hh, 5 year old, Irish cob I share with my daughter, Lara, who is 10; she is the realisation of my lifelong
dream to have my own horse after years of riding other peoples'. She is
as bombproof as they come but definitely not a plod.
After buying Mildred, it rapidly became clear that saddles were
going to be a problem due to her very round well sprung ribs and her long
reaching shoulder action. Every saddle we tried felt "perched on
top". Canter was uncomfortable as I was constantly being pitched out of the saddle as it was moving against her action - an awful
twisting sensation. Mildred started to
develop rubs quickly and seemed to be awkward and uncomfortable in her
breathing when working. I didn't feel safe jumping at all, but was more
concerned about the damage it could be doing to her.
I had read articles about
treeless saddles being the ideal solution for the rounder native build. A
friend then lent me a treeless saddle that she has for her Thoroughbred for me
to try; I was so impressed that I contacted Solution Saddles immediately.
I arranged to try a SMART Native GP saddle with a Solution
Saddles Technical Advisor who came out and fitted the saddle for both myself
and Lara and we all just love it.
I now feel safe and comfortable, as does Lara, but most of
all the difference in Mildred is remarkable. Her movement is even more
fluid and lots of people have commented on the change in her; one of the BHS AI
instructors on the yard said the "change is really amazing -and I thought
her movement was stunning before the new saddle!". Her breathing is now
perfectly normal even after a tough lesson and I can really feel what she's
doing in her quarters so much more. Jumping is fun again and all the rubs
have gone.
I cannot recommend Solution Saddles enough, our Technical
Advisor was so approachable thorough and helpful both during and after the
initial fitting. The saddles are beautiful, comfortable and really high
quality.
Mildred, Lara and myself are delighted.
(Ann Nisbet, 2015)
