Maxine Oxford & Flicka - From "problem pony" to racing at Cheltenham

"I decided to buy Flicka in part to save her from her current treatment as she was not favoured by the riding school where she was kept. She was a nightmare in the stable, hard to catch and too wild for the kids to ride. She was given to the riding school by her previous owners as she kept bucking them off and also had a stumbling problem that neither the vet nor their master saddler could solve.

At the time I was looking to buy a Solution saddle for my daughter’s pony, Blondie, her saddle would ride up her neck - again a problem that could not be solved with a traditional tree’d saddle. As it was such an expensive purchase for a 12.2hh pony, I also wanted to try it out, so I also used Flicka for the test ride. 

Unlike Blondie, Flicka had big hollows either side of her prominent withers; she went well in the Solution saddle and I noticed she did not buck or stumble. I decided to buy the saddle and we have had great success with both ponies. The Solution saddle stayed in place amazingly even with Blondie's extravagant jumping style as you can see in the video below.

Blondie & Antonia Oxford in their Solution saddle

I've had Flicka for three years now and mainly hack, although my daughter now jumps her a bit too, (see video below). Since purchasing the Solution saddle, I have found Flicka likes humans more and doesn't hide at the back of the stable when you bring the tack out, also she doesn't trip, has good muscle either side of her withers, is loads of fun to hack and on fun rides, jumps well and is great in traffic. 

We had the opportunity to race at Cheltenham which was amazing for all connected. My daughter wants to do it again next year, if we can get her fitter I am sure she will put on an even better show!

Flicka aka Hywi Venus racing at Cheltenham in her Solution saddle!

We didn't win but had a great race!"

Maxine Oxford.

Junior Swedish National Team riders cannot do without their SMART™ saddles!

Theresa Hogart from Sweden shares her experience with the SMART saddles, used by her daughters, Junior Swedish National Team riders, Amanda and Isabella.

“When you compete in mounted games, you need to have a saddle that fits both the rider and the pony. I tried many different saddle options before the SMART saddle but found I always had to return them as the saddles are often too big for the pony or too small for the rider.

We are so happy to know that our ponies are now comfortable in their SMART saddles. A happy pony can do the very best at competitions and my daughters both compete for the Junior Swedish National Team in Mounted Games. 

We are really happy with the last SMART saddle we bought and can´t wait to get another just like it.

Pictures from Norway Summer Challenge show great action shots of the saddle sitting securely through fast moves and turns.

Amanda Hogart and Kenny Rob

Isabella Hogart and Ameysing

Theresa Hogart,

Sweden,

July 2015

Successful Endurance rider, Chris MacMillan, has just completed the Golden Horseshoe with her Connemara pony Glen.

 Successful Endurance rider, Chris MacMillan, has just completed the Golden Horseshoe with her Connemara pony Glen. Here is what she has to say about her wonderful Solution Saddle...

The start of the 80km Endurance Ride at the
Scottish Championships / Home International in July 2014.

  

“I was introduced to endurance as something different to do and a great way to get out and see new countryside.  We started with pleasure rides in 2012, and then competitive rides in 2013.  We were lucky enough to be picked to represent Scotland as novice horse/novice rider combination for the Home International held in 2013 at Barbary Castle, where we stepped up to 40km for the first time and won the class! 

In 2014 we moved on through the grades gaining Silver Thistle Final at Seacliff and Gold Thistle Final at the Scottish Championships where we once again represented Scotland in the Home International team but this time at 80km. 

Glen and I have now clocked up just over 1000km at endurance rides.  This, together with all our training miles and the varied other stuff we do (jumping lessons, dressage lessons and hunting), was all achieved in my Solution RigidFree™ saddle.   I love it because it is such a comfortable saddle for both me and my pony and still in fantastic condition after 6 years of heavy use.”

 

Chris MacMillan and Coolagoree Glen Thunder

Ann Nisbet & her daughter love their SMART Native GP saddle - and the difference in their 5 year old Irish Cob is remarkable.

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)

Sharon Savory and Josh are having great fun in their SMART saddle and looking forward to moving up a level next season.

“Oxnead Appleby (aka Joshua) is a tall Haflinger who stands at about 15.3hh. I was having issues with Josh going forwards, he was starting to do mini bucks in transitions and I worked out that he was filling out and his saddle was the cause. I felt stuck, I had had the saddle checked and it looked to fit but clearly he was still unhappy and unable to move freely. 

My friend came over with her Solution saddle and suggested that we tried it. I was sceptical at first but gave it go.  Well, a different horse indeed!  No ears back; no bucks and moving forward freely.  That was it!

I arranged a Home Consultation Visit from a Solution Saddles Approved Advisor and I decided on a SMART NATIVE GP for Josh and a SMART POPULAR GP for my other horse. Since then, it has been plain sailing.  Josh is now six and has changed shape a lot over the past two years and the SMART saddle has allowed his muscles to grow and strengthen without any interference.  We have lovely comments from dressage judges about how flexible and soft his movement is.

I love being able to feel the movement through the saddle, which has improved my balance and riding no end. I find it easy to stay with him, even when training a young horse which is learning to balance, bend and jump and things go slightly awry! I am only 5' tall, 7.5 stone and have short legs; this has made no difference as I am able to use my seat a lot more and feel my way through. 

 Josh is now competing in ODE's at 80 cm and training at 90 cm.  His jumping is freely and easily as he is able to use himself without any restrictions and I don’t worry about the saddle pinching or digging in.  He is so comfortable and confident in his work that I can really focus on the riding. 

As you can see from the photos, we do just about everything in our SMART saddle - horsemanship clinics, dressage, XC, SJ, hacks, pleasure rides, hunting.  I love the fact that we don't have to have endless saddle fittings and I can adjust the saddle using shims and balance pads to adapt as necessary.  They are so comfortable, light and easy to use, handle and ride in.

We are having a great time together!  I have absolute confidence in my SMART saddles; next year I am looking forward to moving up to training at 100 cm and having yet more fun!

Sadly I lost my other horse but I was able to put the spare SMART straight on my loan horse, and away we went!"

Sharon Savory

Angel is happy, so we are happy – it is the most comfortable saddle we have ever sat on! - video update 2016

Angel came to us as an 8 year old, having had severe back problems which had led to one of her feet being twisted. She also had a very high wither and was difficult to fit a saddle to.

After a combination of physiotherapy and being ridden in a saddle pad, she was getting back to normal. But it was not possible for my mum, who has recently had a hip replacement, to compete with the saddle pad. They needed a saddle that looked the part but was also kind to Angels back.

Her owner introduced us to Solution Saddles, and we are now riding all our horses in them! Angel has not had a problem in her SMART saddle and has been successfully competing in dressage and jumping events with it.

She's happy, so we're happy. As an added bonus, the SMART RigidFree saddle is the most comfortable saddle we have ever sat on! Mum is now able to enjoy riding, in comfort! 

Thank you Solution Saddles for making it possible for us to enjoy our horses!

Debbie and Susan Priestley

2016 update:

Debbie Priestley shared her video of her horse; transformed since being ridden in the SMART GP:

''This is a little horse that arrived wired to the moon - he bolted when you put your foot in the stirrup. 3 months into work from then, a changed horse, he's now happy with someone on his back in a rather comfy solution smart GP 😊''

Solution of the month March 2015 - Margi Haslop is delighted with her SMART saddle that she uses on two very different horses.

“I have recently bought a SMART saddle and am absolutely delighted with it. I had a Solution Saddles Approved Advisor out to demonstrate the system to me and I was impressed with her great patience and skill.

I have two horses that the saddle is used on and it also fits me very comfortably. Jack is a sensitive “project” horse with high wither; already I find him to be far more relaxed, more supple and at ease under the saddle. Milly, a retired hunter, uses the same saddle with different balance pads and she too seems far more comfortable and free moving under saddle.

 
Milly, Jack and I are enjoying our rides thanks to the decision to come away from a rigid treed saddle and to invest in a SMART saddle - which is a saddle for life, whichever horse I ride, now or in the future.

I wish I had discovered Solution Saddles years ago!  

Margie Haslop.