• Contact Us On:
  • smart@smartsaddles.com
  • 01909 807870
  • Follow Us:
  • Smart Saddles Horse Saddles UK Facebook
  • Smart Saddles Horse Saddles UK Twitter
  • Smart Saddles Horse Saddles UK Instagram
EmptyItem in Cart
0Grand Total
View cart
Checkout
  • Email Us On:smart@smartsaddles.com
  • Call Us On:(0)1909 807870
Smart Saddles Horse Saddles UK Logo
  • Home
  • SMART™ Saddle System
    • The SMART™ Saddle
    • SMART™ Saddle Features
    • SMART™ Accessories
    • SMART™ User Guidelines
  • Book A Test Ride
    • Home Consultation
    • Rental Service
    • 0% Payment Plan
    • SMART™ Advisors
    • Buying from outside the UK
    • Covid-19: Test Ride Protocol
    • Test Ride Paperwork
  • About SMART™ Saddles
    • SMART™ Saddles
    • Research & Development
    • SMART™ Ambassadors
    • Customer Testimonials
    • Latest News
    • FAQs
  • Contact
    • Contact SMART™ Saddles
    • Become A SMART™ Advisor
    • Submit Your SMART™ Story
    • Pay An Invoice
  • Order Online
EmptyItem in Cart
0Grand Total
View cart
Checkout

Positioning the SMART™ Saddle

The flexible SMARTTM saddle should sit securely on the horses back.The unique design will not restrict the lift and swing of the horse’s shoulderbut will flex and move with it. This is particularly the case with the more forward cut models, where the knee flap can lie comfortably over the scapula without hindering the horses’ movement.

Many riders who find their horses cannot usually be fitted with a forward-cut treed saddle due to their conformation discover they are happy to be ridden in the fully flexible SMARTTM saddle.

Tree Points of a Traditional Saddle
The tree points of a traditional saddle could restrict and bruise the scapula if the girth was positioned correctly. For this reason, treed saddles are usually fitted further back.
Mule Upright Shoulder
This Mule’s upright shoulder was impossible to fit with any jumping saddle other than the fully flexible design from Smart Saddles.

The SMARTTM saddle, when placed in the correct, weight bearing position on the horses’ back is supported by the girth, which is secured across the broadest area of the pectoral muscles and the sternum – it should not be further back where the girth could impinge on the xiphoid cartilage process.

Positioning the SMART Saddle

Steps for positioning the SMARTTM saddle

  1. Attached any SMARTTM Knee Blocks or Thigh Blocks to your saddle so that they are in position (they can be repositioned according to rider preference).

    Steps for positioning the SMART Saddle

  2. Stand the horse squarely and place the SMART Saddle Cloth on the horse’s back, positioning it well forward (as the SMARTTM saddle will flex snugly into position when you come to tighten the girth).

    Steps for positioning the SMART Saddle

  3. Place the SMARTTM saddle centrally, on top of the saddle cloth.

    Steps for positioning the SMART Saddle

  4. Put your thumb under the front of the saddle cloth and pull it up firmly into the gullet of the saddle, to ensure that the cloth will not pull down onto the wither or spine.

    Steps for positioning the SMART Saddle

  5. Check front and back binding are clear of the saddle base and that any seams do not sit under theweight-bearing area.

    Steps for positioning the SMART Saddle

  6. Before girthing, ensure the saddle cloth is sitting correctly by checking the centre seams are in line with the gullet and, if used, SMARTTM Balance Pads are sitting straight and fitted correctly either side of the spine.

  7. Finally, follow our Graduated Girthing Technique, remembering to secure the saddle cloth in position by passing the girth billets through the saddle cloth loops and fastening all D-tabs after girthing up.

If you are fitting with SMARTTM Balance Pads, specific information on fitting pads can be found here.


There is always help and advice on hand - our Home Consultation Service is available for routine checks as well as help with fitting to different horses or riders. You can either contact your SMART Advisor directly or get in touch with Smart Saddles’ head office by phone: 01909 807870 or email:  smart@smartsaddles.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Enter your details here to subscribe and keep up to date with Smart Saddles news, events and special offers.

View Latest Newsletter
First Name:
Last Name:
Email Address:

Smart Saddles

Unit 1 High Grounds Road,
High Grounds Industrial Estate,
Rhodesia, Worksop, S80 3AT.

Call: 01909 807870
Email: smart@smartsaddles.com

Smart Saddles Smart Saddle System Paypal Smart Saddles Smart Saddle System Paypal Smart Saddles Smart Saddle System Paypal Smart Saddles Smart Saddle System Master Smart Saddles Smart Saddle System Beta Trade Smart Saddles Smart Saddle System Beta Trade
© Smart Saddles | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions of Sale | Returns & Refunds | Web Smart Media