Five star review for the SMART™ Native GP saddle

 I have owned my Haflinger pony, Crunchie, for many years, but this winter has possibly been the hardest. In September 2016 he became lame, and then to make matters worse, he started with thrush in both back feet. After spending a lot of time off work and being spoilt with plenty hay, he became quite round! By the time I could get back on him, we needed a new saddle.

My saddler recommended I try a SMART™ saddle; I tried one and instantly loved it; it’s comfy, lightweight and has helped massively with my position.

My Approved Advisor was fab, explaining everything I needed to know about Solution Saddles and why the SMART™ Native GP would be good for Crunchie. The whole process was quick and hassle free. I rave about my new SMART™ Native GP saddle to everyone!

Linda Cawthorne 

The comfortable SMART™ Jump saddle helps one customer achieve BE aspirations following spinal surgery

I purchased my 15hh cob x thoroughbred mare 6 years ago but couldn't find a saddle that would stay still on her back. She was asymmetrical with muscle wastage and all of the saddles I tried were slipping back and to the right.

On top of this, I had undergone extensive spinal fixation surgery following a riding accident in the past.  I was finding it very difficult to get back into a correct position or ride comfortably, in balance. Not an easy combination or a straight forward problem.

I asked around my eventing friends for help and they recommended I try a SMART™ saddle.

Following a home consultation visit, I went on to purchase a SMART™ Jump saddle with all of the accessories recommended to me by my Solution Saddles ApprovedAdvisor. From this point on we haven't looked back - both the horse and I are so much more comfortable. By this stage, I was a complete convert and a year later I decided to purchase a SMART™ Dressage saddle.

Last year we were on the winning British Riding Club 80 National Championships Horse Trials Team and this year we are competing at 90/100 and intend to BE for the rest of the season. I'm really proud of our achievements since changing to the SMART™ saddles as I'm 53 this year and didn't think I would ever be able to event again.

My horse's back has undergone a complete transformation and is incredibly strong. Her movement is unrecognisable from the little cob I bought; her lateral work is improving and she is even becoming strong enough for a little passage!

I do not believe we would be have achieved so much had Solutions Saddles not been there to support my own and my horse's development.

- Annie Rae

Mother and daughter are delighted with the difference their SMART Native GP saddle has made to their cob mare.

"The SMART Native GP saddle is awesome; It has been one of the best investments we have made; expertly crafted and amazing to ride on.

My daughter and I share our 14.1 cob mare who changes shape through the seasons, having to constantly adjust our treed saddle was a frustration.  

Now, when riding in our SMART Native GP saddle, we can feel Balloo's movement and consequently we are totally in tune with her. We can feel and see the difference it makes to her.

Before we had the SMART Native GP saddle Balloo would run out at jumps, now she is happy to jump straight over, as the photo shows.

Balloo has started to flex more and her bends and circle work has improved. Since using the SMART Native GP saddle, Mia and Balloo won their first ever dressage competition - only Intro A but it was an awesome start.

The customer service and advice we received was outstanding; the staff were so supportive. I ordered the saddle on Thursday and it was delivered Friday. This level of service sets the bar high for others to aspire to.

Well done Solution Saddles!"

Samantha Wise

Jo-Anne has had great success fitting her SMART Eventer saddle to several different horses, proving it to be a worthwhile investment!

“I just wanted to say how pleased I am with my SMART Eventer Saddle.

I purchased it twelve months ago for my 16hh cob cross mare but sadly I lost her a short time later. I have since had the SMART Eventer saddle fitted to two further horses with great success, even though they were all quite different shapes and sizes!

The quality is superb. I feel confident and secure in the saddle and know that my horse is comfortable and able to move freely, too - it really is a saddle for life, well worth the investment! 

I look forward to many more years of horsey adventures with my SMART Eventer saddle!”

Jo-Anne Smith

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