After years of experiencing saddle related problems and experimenting with a wide range of expensive saddles with different flocking on many horses, SMART™ Saddle designer and founder, Dr Anne Bondi, found that although some of the problems could be alleviated, they were not solved.
Many people experience problems with saddles and it is common to hear of frustrated riders spending large sums on saddle after saddle that for one reason or another just does not work.
Two examples of problems that lead to saddle fit issues are:
What causes the problems?
Badly fitting saddles can lead to...
One gets used to a wide range of routine problems encountered in the training and development of the horse under saddle.
The below pictures illustrate the difference a flexible saddle can make.
The first image shows the pony’s usual way of going in its own saddle.
The second is taken immediately
after, ridden in a SMART™ saddle fitted by a Smart Saddles Approved Advisor.
Smart Saddles have worked with many experienced riders throughout the development of the SMART saddle range. Even those who do not believe that their horses are experiencing saddle issues at all have been surprised at the improvements to performance that working in a SMART™ saddle has demonstrated.
The SMART™ saddle design is unique, not only because the saddles are fully flexible but also because they are designed, manufactured, used and fitted by riders. We not only understand how the saddle is constructed but also understand the performance demands of both horse and rider.
SMART Saddles are very proud to have had their SMART™ Saddle Range recognised with The Queens Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2021. The ground-breaking SMART™ saddle design has provided horses and riders at all levels with a modern solution to their saddle fitting woes and is believed to be the only brand of saddle to have earned the much sought-after award.
Further information on the prestigious Queen’s Award for Innovation can be found here: https://www.smartsaddles.com/news/2021-04-29-unique-smart-saddle-range-wins-queens.php
Each SMART™ saddle is handmade in Derbyshire from premium materials, carefully sourced from around the UK.
SMART Saddle designer,
Dr. Anne Bondi BHSI
"I believe that the natural progression to the flexible saddle concept is the biggest step forward in horse welfare in my lifetime."
The Queens Award for Enterprise: Innovation, 2021, for the patented SMART Saddle Range.
‘’I am immensely proud of our skilled and dedicated team members, every one of whom has played an integral part in the success of our saddle designs and the continued growth of the company. Most of our team are horse owners and riders themselves, so truly understand our quest to promote the welfare and performance of the ridden horse. As riders, we also know what good customer service means to our clients and how to deliver it. These are the core principles that our reputation for excellence is built on and we look forward to continuing our research programme and bringing more innovation to the equine industry.”
Following on from her background as a highly successful rider and trainer in both dressage and eventing, as well as a Senior Examiner of the British Horse Society, Anne has been awarded a doctorate for her novel research of horse, saddle and rider interaction.
Anne teaches world-wide, giving lectures and presentations to a wide range of groups including equine healthcare practitioners, saddle fitters, coaches and equine science students, sharing her passion for this complex but fascinating subject.
Penny Lawn
"I'm loving the way the new SMART Elite Jump saddle allows me the flexibility to use it on any horse, especially the narrower stamp. It gives me a more close contact feel and my horses all the freedom they need."
~ Penny Lawn, Event Rider and SMART Ambassador
Edison
"Ed (Edison) has all of a sudden become very grown up and made the journey to Blenheim Horse Trials for his first three-star in the eight- and nine-year-old class. It doesn’t seem five minutes since popping round his first novice three seasons ago and wondering if he would cope. Well, cope he certainly did — he has gone from strength to strength and he maintained his 100% clear cross-country record by jumping a stunning double clear at Blenheim in his treeless SMART saddle. It’s a fabulous event with a big atmosphere and he coped beautifully. I’m very excited for what next season holds for him."
~ Simon Grieve, Eventer and Horse & Hound blogger
