A second SMART saddle purchase - ensured comfort for every horse!

 

 

 

“I have ridden in my SMART GP saddle for 6 years and it is as good today as the day I bought it. It has been used on everything from my number one horse, a 16.3hh chunky warmblood, to our little Highland my grand-daughter rode and a heavy Irish Draught cross. 

 

I am such a fan of SMART saddles; my horses move so freely, the saddles do not need reflocking or gullet bars changing and they adapt to fit different shapes of horses so are ideal for youngsters, or if like me, you have different horses of different shapes to ride. 

 

I have found SMART Advisors to be wonderful. The Advisor who came to me was patient and happy to give advice over the phone until I got the hang of the fitting - it is not difficult once you understand the principles. When I bought my first SMART saddle, I was taught how to fit it to my different horses and I was pleased to see the same fitter again when I decided to purchase a second SMART saddle. 

 

I recently decided to buy a second SMART PRO GP saddle for a finer 16.3hh KWPN warmblood because I wanted both horses to have the comfort of a SMART saddle whoever was riding out with me – with each of my riding friends commenting that they do not realise that they are riding in a treeless saddle! 

 

I meet quite a few ‘old-school’ riders who do not understand the principle of SMART saddles and it concerns me how closed their minds are. If nothing else they should consider the advantages: a flexible, soft, kind saddle which fits perfectly whichever horse you ride and the freedom from saddle fitters! 

 

I am not a competitive rider, more a happy hacker these days who may dabble in dressage occasionally.” 

 

Margie Haslop. 

A saddle story - from size 2 SMART NATIVE PONY GP to SMART Elite Jump

 From size 2 Native GP saddle to the size 5 SMART Elite Jump saddle, Robbie, and each of his horses and ponies, has enjoyed the benefits of the SMART saddle system throughout his riding career to date. 

Robbies story started with an 11hh shetland pony, Ben, in 2013, when they discovered the SMART Native Pony saddle helped the young combination with rider security and saddle stability Read their story here.

Alongside his pony club activities, Robbie also races with the Shetland Pony Grand National Group.

Robbie and his racing Shetland, Magheradartin Elevator’ (Captain), using the SMART Native Pony saddle to successfully win a rather large ‘ Budding Star’  trophy. 

 

 

The SMART Eventer saddle was a successful upgrade, for all pony club activities, including dressage and Showjumping when Robbie got a new pony, Flint. They had a great start winning, 10 and under winter dressage league and 50cm, 60cm and 70cm showjumping.

Moving onto the discipline specific SMART PRO Dressage and Jump saddles as they moved up the grades and Robbie grew, his mother Helen said,  "All of our ponies and horses have worked correctly through their back due to the SMART PRO saddles they have been ridden in. The balance allows Robbie to stay in a lovely correct position while the horses are soft and free. Can’t recommend the saddles enough."

Robbie now uses the SMART Elite Jump saddle for Eventing.  

 “The SMART saddles give great balance for the rider but also great freedom of movement for the horses. Their backs all look amazing. I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t use them.”

 

Watch Robbies SMART Saddle Journey, from size 2 Native GP saddle to a size 5 SMART Elite Jump saddle here: 

“Onward and upward with my beautiful SMART VSD saddle!”

After being told by a few saddlers that I would not get a saddle to fit Rona, my Welsh Cob x ID “tabletop" mare, I had all but given up trying to buy a saddle and seriously questioned how to move forward. Tacking up had become an unpleasant tussle that made us both feel unhappy, her old saddle slipped and twisted while riding and I had no doubt she was uncomfortable.

 

Then, a SMART™ Advisor from Solution Solutions came to visit; she was interested and very keen to help solve our problems. The fitting was very thorough and so much care and attention was taken to make sure it was right. There was no rush. I learned quite a lot about saddles during the afternoon!  I was able to ride in various SMART saddle styles to feel the difference and see how they suited my position and how Rona felt in them.  As soon as we went in the arena she relaxed and stretched forward with her head down and a nice forward stride.

 

I knew straight away that the SMART VSD saddle was going to be ours.  It was available on a 2-week trial which is a great idea and a perfect chance to make sure it was right for us - but there was no doubt in my mind from the outset.

 

Although I have only had my SMART VSD saddle for a couple of weeks, we have turned a corner with tacking up, which is a much better, safer experience and that alone tells me that Rona is happier. The saddle is easy to fit and I no longer have slipping issues. Rona has good paces (when she is in the mood!) and stretches beautifully - I think she is discovering that she can move in comfort and thus our teamwork is improving. I’m very excited to see how her muscles will improve and develop over the coming months. Onward and upward! 

 

For myself, I love the comfort, stability and security that I now have. The seat hugs me and I am sitting “in” the saddle rather than the old saddle, where I was perched on top. Now I can feel Rona’s movement underneath me and the saddle lifts as she moves forward, allowing her to stretch and engage. I feel very balanced and stable and I am excited that my riding can now begin to improve.

 

I can honestly say Rona and I are so happy. The quality of my new saddle is fantastic and it looks really smart. I am so pleased with it, I am sure Rona would endorse it too!

Caron Gilleeney

Remote SMART consultation helps happy customer move up a level

“I am lucky to own a beautiful warmblood dressage mare who is 15 years young. She is beautifully built with large powerful shoulders that can be an issue when trying to find a saddle to fit.

Recently, she has had an issue with her SI joint and could come out initially quite tight and stiff. So, after her SI joint was treated, I was keen to do all I could to preserve my beautiful mare, Bella, and keep her active.

That’s when I started looking at SMART saddles. After reading the research I decided to take the plunge and arranged to take a SMART PRO Dressage saddle on rental. As I live in Northern Ireland, I arranged to have a remote fitting, which was fab, effective and easy. Three weeks later my equine physio assessed Bella as ‘’in great shape with little tightness’’.

I love my SMART PRO Dressage saddle which gives me a close contact feel and is very stable - even the knee blocks are fitted to my shape! Having bought the saddle, we have gone from strength to strength. My trainer is delighted with our progress, we are scoring really well and hoping to move up a level by Christmas.

I wouldn’t use any other saddle now!”

 

Debbie Burns
Northern Ireland

“I honestly believe that the SMART PRO Dressage saddle plays a huge part in our success”.

 

“I’ve owned my SMART PRO Dressage saddle for almost one year and I cannot believe the difference it has made to myself and my pony.

 

I knew about the brand because we had a saddle for a previous horse when I was younger so it only seemed fitting that Solution Saddles were the first port of call on my search.

A lovely SMART Advisor came out to see me and brought a few different saddle styles for me to try (including GP and dressage). I instantly felt more connected to my pony and could feel so much more movement than I ever had before. I was sold straight away; the only issue I had was choosing one!

 

It was a difficult decision but I remember the SMART Advisor saying to me “can you see yourself going far in this dressage saddle?” My response was a tentative “Yes, I hope so”. Was she right or was she right!? We’ve come on so far and now my boy literally floats across the school. We’ve recently got our highest ever score of 78.26% and we’re going to affiliate later this year!

It’s been a lot of hard work and many hours training but I honestly believe that the SMART PRO Dressage saddle plays a huge part in our success.”

Emma and Alfie (otherwise known as Super Cob!)