Is it time to rethink your approach to saddle fit?

Don’t continue the same patterns that aren’t working for you.

As the seasons are changing, so will your horse’s shape and saddle fit. Many riders fall into a pattern of trying multiple traditional saddles, adjusting flocking, using temporary solutions, and booking repeat fitting appointments to address these problems - yet still face the same saddle fit challenges. This process can not only become frustrating, but it also becomes expensive and time-consuming. 

The limitations of rigid saddle design:

• Fixed structure: Treed saddles are built on a rigid frame that cannot adapt to the horse’s natural changes in condition, muscle, or asymmetry that affect saddle fit and/or rider balance 

• Replacing saddles: To maintain an acceptable fit, 3-monthly refits are recommended, and there’s often only so many times a traditional treed saddle can be adjusted to fit before a new/different saddle is required. 

• Cost of repetition: Each adjustment, additional saddle, or specialist pad adds to the long-term cost - yet the fundamental issue remains the same: the saddle tree doesn’t change. 

• Even 'adjustable' treed saddles have their limitations and can only be fitted to the shape of the horse on the day and do not allow for movement through the whole back or changes over time.

Leaving you paying repeatedly to manage an innate design limitation. 

 

How SMART Saddles break the cycle 

SMART Saddles take a different approach. The patented, fully flexible design adapts to the horse’s back as he moves, providing a long-term solution. 

• Dynamic fit: The flexible design allows the saddle to accommodate any changes in shape, weight, or asymmetry without compromising comfort. 

• Reduced need for adjustments: With no rigid tree or flocking to maintain, there’s no need for the saddle to be sent away for adjustment or replacement – easily and quickly change the external fitting system as and when required. 

• Cost-effective over time: One SMART Saddle can often serve a horse through multiple seasons, changes in fitness, muscle development, and even horse or rider changes, saving the expense of buying multiple traditional saddles. 

With the fully flexible saddle, SMART is continually working with your horse's shape to give a close and even fit – even between check-ups. 

 

 

A practical solution 

To truly break the cycle, stop replacing one treed saddle with another - instead, choose a long-term saddle solution that allows the horse to grow and develop, and adapts to seasonal changes. When you invest in a SMART Saddle, you not only offer your horse greater freedom of movement but also save yourself time and money whilst avoiding the frustration of the same old problems. 

 

Ready to see the difference for yourself? Book a SMART Saddle trial today and discover how a saddle designed to move with your horse can transform comfort, performance, and partnership. 

 

Don’t forget that regular fitting reviews are recommended to maintain optimal horse fit and rider balance with any type of saddle. Speak with your SMART Advisor about how to monitor the fit at home, especially if the SMART Saddle has made a fundamental change to your horse's way of going.