"I highly recommend these saddles - for many reasons"

Louie is a Welsh cross, 15.2hh, 9 yr old gelding and I have owned him for two years. 

He has been a complete joy in every way. However, at the beginning of this year, we were starting to get a few behavioural issues, such as head-shaking, putting his tongue over the bit, violent spooking and also the occasional huge buck. Initially we thought it was pollen related, then we thought it may be back issues but the treatments I tried didn’t improve the behaviour. 

We began looking at his saddle to investigate whether this was where the problems were coming from.  Like most horses, Louies' shape had changed a lot over the last year as conditions changed. Over Winter he was stabled 24/7. Prior to lockdown, he was out during the day, and we were having dressage lessons weekly, so he was developing muscle. Throughout lockdown, he wasn’t ridden at all, and all that muscle tone disappeared.  

When I came to ride again, I discovered the saddle was too tight over the shoulders and was bridging at the back. My saddle had been fitted to Louie by a Master Saddler on three separate occasions in the course of the year but I started to think, maybe the saddle had been causing issues all along?

So, I tried a SMART PRO Dressage saddle on trial for two weeks.  

The difference in Louie is amazing. Head shaking stopped, bucking stopped, tongue over the bit stopped, spooking for no reason stopped. And the saddle feels wonderful to ride in; I feel secure, very comfortable and love being able to feel Louie's movements so much more than in the previous saddle.

Not only that, but I know I do not need to worry about this saddle hurting my boy. I know it fits, and it can always be fitted, no matter how much he changes shape, gains or loses weight.

I highly recommend these saddles for many reasons. 

Julie Thompson, Essex

SMART Saddles prove top choice for riding school horses and riders

Eat, Sleep, Ride CIC would like to say a massive thank you to Solution Saddles for making a product that will last our riding school horses a lifetime. 

The SMART saddles have really improved our horses lengths of stride, and, because of their versatility, have proven invaluable for horses that come in for breaking and training . They really allow our all our riders to feel the horses movement underneath them, and can be adjusted through out the seasons to ensure optimal fit.

Our horses have regular physio sessions and the practitioner always comments on how excellent our horses backs are, as do other professionals such as vets and dentist . 

We are really happy with our saddle purchases and Camilla who gave us a really educational and enlightening saddle fitting visit.

Danielle Mckinnon

Founding Director 

Eat, Sleep, Ride, CIC

"The difference in how my horses went in the SMART saddle was stunning!"

"I first came across SMART saddles in 2016. I subsequently had my local Approved Advisor, Rachael Brown, out to test ride a SMART Dressage Saddle and can honestly say the difference in how my horses went was stunning! So much so, that I have gone on to buy a SMART Sport Jump saddle and, more recently, a SMART PRO Jump saddle.

I have found Rachael, and all the people I have dealt with at Solution Saddles, to be friendly, professional and, above all, enthusiastic about their products. Rachael and Charlotte are both very knowledgeable and always more than happy to help.

I would recommend SMART saddles unreservedly for all aspects of riding, from happy hackers to high level competition riders."

Kim

SMART Saddles: From little to large

"I was first introduced to SMART™ saddles, whilst trying to find a solution to the problem of my shire cross, Oscar, regularly changing shape and leading to me spending too much time and money having saddles adjusted to fit properly.

Oscar is 17.3hh and, at the time was 4 years old and just coming into proper work. As he was constantly changing shape, I was becoming increasingly frustrated at the amount of time we were spending out of work; waiting for saddle fitters, waiting for saddle adjustments and arranging to drop-off or collect saddles before and after adjustments.  Not to mention the money I was spending for every adjustment. 

I decided to invest in the SMART™ PRO Jump saddle and have never looked back. The easy-to-adjust fitting and balance system means that we are now four years on and have not missed a single training session or competition due to saddle issues.  

Our training has come on leaps and bounds and we are now regularly competing - getting some good results including double clears, wins and finishing on our dressage score. We are looking forward to moving on to more advanced work including our first BE.

Dorothy, a completely gorgeous, but very barrel shaped Fell Pony, was purchased for my daughter to learn to ride on.

I had difficulties finding a traditional saddle to stay in position, so invested in a SMART Native saddle for her - and what a difference! Both Dorothy and my daughter have come on leaps and bounds in just the three months since we bought it.  With Dorothy winning her first one day event with a 28.7 dressage score, after only seeing cross country jumps twice before in her life!"

Dotty winning her first mini one day event

Helen

2021 Update: Norah and Dorothy making light work of her first 65cm class in her SMART Native saddle.

A flexible SMART™ saddle can be of benefit to a young horse as they mature:

“I’ve always loved riding in a dressage saddle and when I bought my narrow four year old, I didn’t think it would be worth buying one for him until he’d fully developed.

SMART™ Saddles were recommended to me as they were fully flexible and could adjust with him as he grew. I was a little sceptical at first - but that quickly changed after the design and concept was explained to me.

Following a through fitting session I started on our flat work; I couldn’t believe the difference; the sensitivity was highly increased and the SMART™ PRO Dressage saddle felt SO comfortable. I kept the saddle on trial and took it to a dressage lesson where my instructor was impressed with the increased movement my horse had in his shoulders.

Safe to say I bought the saddle!.”

Cerys 

The SMART PRO Dressage saddle: highly recommended for a difficult to fit mare.

“I am very pleased with my SMART™ PRO dressage saddle.

With large shoulders and a round back, finding a saddle to fit my mare has been problematic. The SMART™ saddle flexes with the movement of her back; it doesn’t lift, sway or slip even with the girth not overly tight. It feels comfortable and secure for both of us and allows full range of movement.

It’s a bonus that I can use the SMART™ saddle on other horses too. I would highly recommend”.

Tina

SMART Ambassador, Ella, gets the season off to a winning start with her SMART PRO saddles

"I love both of my SMART Saddles, they keep me in balance and fit all my ponies".

The talented, 11 year old young eventer and SMART Saddles Ambassador, Ella, has been riding her ponies in the SMART PRO Dressage and SMART PRO Jump saddles since 2018. 

Ella competes in Pony club and school teams and is training in preparation for BE, once she is old enough, next year.

She has got off to a great start with her SMART PRO saddles, winning, amongst other things, Arena 100 Eventing and PC100. She has qualified for NSEA (National School Equestrian Association) Eventers Challenge 95 & 105.

Ella said: "Not only are my SMART PRO Saddles comfortable but they’re really helping with my balance too!"

Look out for Ellas updates on the Solution Saddles Facebook page or follow Step Up Eventing here:

Below are links to a few of the fantastic videos that Ella has shared throughout the season, showing both of her SMART PRO saddles in action.

Pre Season:

https://www.facebook.com/StepUpEventing/videos/1688430834797391/

Poplar Park:

https://www.facebook.com/StepUpEventing/videos/328173267833813/

XC schooling:

https://www.facebook.com/StepUpEventing/videos/802951680082381/