Beth Evans solved her ongoing saddle slip issues, and so much more, when she changed to a SMART saddle.

It was my craniosacral therapist who recommended that I try a SMART™ saddle. We experienced ongoing saddle slip issues; due to my pony having had a large worm burden as a youngster, he was prone to altering shape quickly and it has proven very difficult to get a saddle to fit for a whole season.

The final saddle slip that caused me to try a SMART™ saddle was at The Riding Club Championships in 2015; in the Intermediate Championship Jump Off, my saddle slipped causing my horse to stop on the last turn back to home. This resulted in us not only losing the potential win, but also retaining the title. Following this, I went to my friend at Dodderhill Equestrian who let me try their SMART™ saddle – it suited both me and my pony. 

The SMART™ saddle has not only solved the slipping problems we were experiencing but has also changed the way that my horse moves. It has enabled improved rider-feel so that I can give the correct aids when needed.

Along with craniosacral treatments, the SMART™ saddle has allowed my horse to be much freer in his movement and have a more natural shape over jumps. He feels much younger to ride and he has also filled out in shape.

I enjoy riding much more now that I have my SMART™ saddle – and I don’t need to worry about my saddle slipping at any point!   

Sarah Parker found her SMART GP saddle transformed both herself and her horse, Sydney.

 “Sydney has been totally transformed since using his SMART GP saddle. He has flexibility and movement that we didn't know he had. He is now relaxed and calm under saddle whilst showing so much freedom in his movement - without tension.

He used to work well one day and be like a goldfish the next session; forgetting any progress.  He would  return to being tense and hollow, which I now believe was through discomfort.

Since using the SMART GP saddle, he is advancing his education every session and making huge steps forward. He has just come second in a class of 15 at his first dressage competition with over 67%. This would never have been achieved in his previous saddle. 

Everyone has been so impressed with the SMART GP saddle and can see how much it has benefited Sydney. My McTimoney practitioner was amazed at the difference in him and very positive about his new saddle. His muscle tone has now evened out, plus he has none of the previous tight and tension spots. 

For me; well, I can now ride and not have sciatica pain, which is a huge result!

The SMART GP saddle was a big investment but worth every single penny to have a happy comfortable horse and for me to be able to ride without pain.

Thank you Solution Saddles.”

Sarah Parker

Before discovering SMART saddles, Becky Fossett was at her wits end in trying to find a saddle to fit her cob.

Dylan looking handsome in his new SMART GP saddle.

I just wanted to say thank you so much!

Over the past 11 years I have had countless saddles due to Dylan changing shape; I have spent thousands of pounds on various types of saddle and really didn't know which saddler to turn to next.

Since trialling and purchasing my SMART GP saddle, the difference to Dylan and myself has been amazing. He is so much more flexible and forward and his lateral skills have also improved. Plus, my hips don't hurt half as much as they did in a treed saddle!

My best friend, who is at my yard, was so impressed by the difference that she also purchased a SMART GP saddle for her horse.

Thanks again for all your help and support, I finally feel Dylan and I have a saddle that will last us our lifetime!

Becky Fossett

Vicky Bloomfield and her horse are happy, comfortable and relaxed in their new SMART Eventer saddle.

I couldn't be happier with the new SMART Eventer saddle. My gelding is so relaxed and going beautifully in it, he has a noticeably longer stride trotting, now his shoulders are not restricted. I am so comfortable too, after years of discomfort in the wrong saddles. 

I look forward to riding everyday now, it's a pleasure. 

Vicky Bloomfield, May 2016

Amanda Beevers is over the moon with the SMART™ Native Pony saddle for her daughter and their round pony.

My daughter’s very round pony was very hard to fit a saddle to - after various saddle fittings resulting in no saddle due to her shape, I was getting out of my depth and losing the will to live. 

We moved to a new yard, where I met a girl who had a SMART™ saddle and she couldn't have expressed more just how fantastic they were, so I promptly called Solution Saddles – and it was the best phone call that I have made!

The Solution Saddles Approved Advisor came out and fitted a SMART™ Native Pony saddle for my daughter and her pony – it was so exciting to be able to ride again, knowing that the saddle wasn't going to hurt our pony or put pressure on her back like her old saddle did. 

We are over the moon with it - it looks and feels great and has helped my daughter with her jumping position.

My daughter is 9 years old and has had her SMART™ Native Pony saddle for over a year - these are her words:

 ‘’The SMART saddle is amazing -  It’ never slipped once,  it keeps my position right while jumping, feels comfortable and fits my pony great!"

We have never looked back since buying the SMART™ Native Pony saddle and would never have another brand. The after care is fantastic and I would 100% recommend Solution Saddles to anyone.

Amanda Beevers

Mel and her Maxi Cob are thrilled with their high scores in their SMART™ Native saddle.

I’ve had my horse, Coolie, for 2 years now; he is what you’d call a maxi cob and we had the most dreadful time with his traditional saddle slipping to the right. The saddler would have to come out almost every two months to re-flock and juggle, but as soon as Coolie lost or gained weight, I’d have to get the saddle adjusted again.

A friend of mine suggested we try a SMART™ saddle, so I arranged a home consultation visit with my local Solution Saddles Approved Advisor. I was extremely sceptical but by the end of the test ride I was totally amazed – the saddle hadn't moved and Coolie felt like he was moving much more freely. 

We have been thrilled to bits with our Native GP saddle ever since; I have never looked back.

A year later and we have a new found love of dressage - well I have (not so sure Coolie enjoys his circles as much as I do)!  I had wanted to invest in a dressage saddle for a while, but was unsure whether it would be worth it for us at our very basic prelim level. However, I decided to take the plunge, and with the help of our lovely Solution Saddles Approved Advisor, we decided on a SMART™ Native Dressage saddle, which I had customised with a Suprabloc kneeflap.

In our first competition in our new saddle, we achieved the two highest scores we’ve ever had in any dressage test, as well as the best collectives for rider’s seat and position that I’ve ever achieved. We got a first and second place as well as some lovely comments from the judge.

I cannot recommend these saddles highly enough or thank Solution Saddles enough for pandering to my whims!

Mel Glover
Photo credit: Jasmine Punter - jasminepunterphotography.co.uk

The SMART™ Eventer saddle fits all of Rachel's horses, including her rare breed Boulonnais Draught Horses.

"After the theft of all my tack, I was forced to replace numerous saddles.

I own three rare breed Boulonnais Draught Horses that require short, very wide saddles, a Connemara and a Polo pony; to replace all of their saddles was going to mean a huge financial outlay. 

My riding instructor recommended the SMART™ Eventer saddle for me and I just wish I had one in my life earlier! It fits all of my horses, from my heavies to my fine Thoroughbred types and is also the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever sat in – my seat bones will forever be grateful. In addition, it has revolutionised my riding. My horses feel freer and our communication has become fine-tuned; I can feel them and they can feel me.

One of my Boulonnais mares, Sophia, recently took part in her first show, ridden by Dan Hammond, and was the World Breeds’ Ridden Reserve Champion. Dan would now like to qualify Sophia to the British Dressage Draught Horse Championships.

Finally – this summer we had the first ever UK-born Boulonnais Draught foal (as seen in Horse & Hound), who we are watching closely to become the only breeding stallion in the UK. He will be broken and ridden away in my new ‘couldn’t-be-without’ SMART™ Eventer saddle!

There are only 13 Boulounnais Draught rare horses in the UK and 1,000 known worldwide!"

Rachel Hossle