Dr. Anne Bondi BHSI founded SMART Saddles in 2006 in a quest to design and develop a range of saddles to improve horse and rider comfort, welfare and performance. After years of experiencing saddle-related problems, finding that although some of them could be alleviated, they were not solved.
Today, Nottinghamshire-based SMART™ Saddles is run by a small but dedicated team, committed to designing and manufacturing the SMART™ saddle range using premium materials that are carefully sourced from around the UK.
The SMART™ saddle range has disrupted the largely unchallenged traditional saddle market, providing horses and riders at all levels with a modern solution to their saddle fitting woes.
It is the only brand of saddle to date to be awarded a much sought-after Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation, 2021). SMART™ Saddles continue to offer outstanding products and customer service continues to grow to keep up with increasing customer demand and new markets.
When you buy a SMART Saddle, you can be rest assured that your lovely new saddle has been carefully handcrafted by our small team in our UK workshop. Working closely with our long-standing suppliers, we select only the finest leathers and raw materials to go into our saddles. From the first cut of leather to the last stitch, SMART Saddles are proudly Made in Britain.
We source our recommended accessories from the UK wherever possible, however some of the products that we find to perform best with the SMART Saddle range are imported from overseas, including the wonderful Professional's Choice girths from the USA and the Royal Rider stirrups from Italy.
The research-led SMART™ saddles are designed, tested and fitted by riders; who not only understand how the saddles are constructed but also the performance demands of both horse and rider.
From 2006 to the present day, follow SMART Saddles' evolution from the original fully flexible saddles to a market leading range of patented performance saddles.
"I believe that the natural progression to the flexible saddle concept is the biggest step forward in horse welfare in my lifetime."
SMART Saddle designer,
Dr. Anne Bondi BHSI
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.
The importance of saddles, saddle design, and listening to our horses. A conversation with Dr Anne Bondi - The River Tiger Podcast
On winning the Queens Award, SMART Saddles designer, Dr Anne Bondi, explains more about the patented flexible saddles design and why it is needed.
SMART Saddles is a member of the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA Trade Member) and Society of Master Saddlers (SMS Allied Trade Member).
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