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Whether you are hacking along lanes and over hills at home or competing regularly around the country, we would love to hear how you and your horses have been getting on since using a Solution RigidFree™ saddle.

If you are involved in endurance, showing, dressage, eventing, show jumping, riding club, hunting, rehabilitation cases or out competing regularly - we would be interested to hear about it. Send us your testimonial, diary or before & after story along with a picture for your chance to receive a £50 voucher, redeemable against any products from Solution Saddles.

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“I'm delighted with the Solution SMART Dressage saddle that I bought from you last year.. 

Years ago I recorded a TV documentary about riding in Andalusia.  I was in awe of the other riders, particularly the way they sat the canter.  I know their horses are schooled in classical dressage, but even so… I am no spring chicken so I'm not as supple as I could be and try as I might I could not seem to sit well in the canter. 

My horses are very young and not yet balanced. The other day I took the 6 yr old out and cantered in the SMART saddle. She relaxed her back and away we went. It felt wonderful. I felt like the Andalusians. Not long after buying the SMART Saddle I had a bad accident when unfortunately I'd chosen to use my old stock saddle in case the young horse bucked. Well, she did, and she fell - on me - ouch. It is possible that I might not have got a broken ankle had I been riding in the flexible treeless SMART saddle. Fully recovered, I'm now riding in the Solution SMART saddle and it is absolute heaven.
Today I took my horse to her very first dressage competition and she won on 89% - what a fantastic saddle! So thanks for my lovely saddle - and keep up the good work. Polly Marchant, New Zealand February 2012
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A year on, I’m finally getting double clears Show Jumping, I have a pony that schools willingly and a pony that will listen in open fields without rushing off with his back hollowed and his head in the air.  I’ve got a saddle that can be both straight cut for dressage and forward cut for Jumping and galloping, with only a very simple alteration of knee roll and thigh block position.  I’ve been hunting him this winter, we’ve not had a saddle slip, a sore back or a sore bum (on my part). We’re jumping the big Leicestershire hedges with the best of them.

Georgina Ridal and Mickey
with the Readyfield Hunt

I’ve also made use of the saddle fitting different shaped horses. We bought Solo, an unbacked three year old, this summer. He’s a completely different shape to Mickey; a Welsh D x TB, with narrow shoulders and higher withers. All I had to do was alter the pads. He was started, and fully backed in my Solution GP saddle. He didn’t once object.

The Solution Saddles Advisors I’ve experienced are lovely people that understand horses and riders. I trust them and they listened to me. I’ve recommended them and the saddles to many people and they too love them.

Thank You Solution Saddles! I’m sure my horse would not be where he is now without your wonderful saddle!”

Georgina Ridal,
Nottingham, January 2012

Thank you!

Susie Ford

My equine chiropractor and massage therapist always comments on how Lily has never had any saddle related problems and the muscles on her back are well formed and soft and supple, which she attributes to her being in a treeless saddle.

I am totally committed to treeless; I changed trainer when it was repeatedly suggested that I needed a treed saddle, as that is what all the top riders use!”

Amanda Hope,
Derbyshire.

Coedeneirin Solo is a 12.3 hh Welsh Section C pony owned by Lindsay Caldwell. He is based at the late John Dufosee’s stables at Nyland in Dorset, and has recently been awarded the Pitchford Trophy by Endurance GB at their annual Awards Dinner in Daventry, for the registered native pony gaining the most points in all types of EGB rides for the 2010 season.

He has built up over the years and now regularly completes rides up to 80 km in a day and has represented Wales at the Home International Competitions for the last four years, most recently placed 5th in the 82 km endurance ride at Burgie, Scotland in August 2010.

His rider Lisa says: “In order to do this type of mileage, his tack has to fit well and also be adjustable for both horse and rider as he is constantly changing shape. This is where his Solution saddle really comes into its own.”

In 2007 Solo surpassed what his team had hoped for him, not only did he complete one 80 km ride to go advanced, but he completed the 80 km ER (race) at the Inter-Regional Championships, helping their team to second place overall. They then went on to be given an award at the Red Dragon as the top scoring Native Pony and best pony under 14hh.

Lisa was thrilled to bits with Solo in 2008 as he was progressing well. As they looked forward to competing for the Welsh Team in the Home International in Northern Ireland, Lisa reported “After Solo successfully completed the FEI CEI 2* 80 km endurance ride at Euston Park, at a speed he has never done before in his life (13.99 kph!), the vets were quite interested when we said we used a Solution saddle - there is not a mark on his back” At the end of the season, after successfully completing 10 rides, Solo was going beautifully and was full of life when he went ‘out on holiday’.

In 2009 Solo continued his success and was awarded the trophy for the best pony under 14.2hh ridden by an adult, sadly picked up an injury that cut his season short.

Lisa and Solo have had a good start to 2011 having already completed over 300km competitively. So far they have achieved a top ten placing in an FEI 1* 80 km ride and a bronze award in the Exmoor 80 class at the Golden Horseshoe. They are starting out with their new SMART Native saddle and looking forward to another successful season.

I own a 6-year-old Welsh Section D, purchased in April 2006. During this time I have struggled to get a treed saddle to fit him.
Every saddle I have owned has moved sideways and made me tip forwards, resulting in endless back pain and trips to the osteopath.
Jumping has always been difficult as I constantly get pinged out of the saddle, resulting in us both losing our confidence.

I decided the best way forward was to have a made to measure saddle for him, as it should fit him like a glove and would be the end to our saddle nightmare. When the saddle arrived I was so happy and excited, but very soon I became disappointed when I discovered I was not one bit better off.
The saddle was perched, moved around and all he did was buck and canter on the wrong lead.
I persevered with the saddle and decided to do some jumping. My horse hated jumping in it and as a result he put in a very dirty refusal, the saddle tipped and I went flying off, hitting myself quite badly on the wing.
My horse loves to jump and this was the first time he had ever refused.
After a battle with the saddle fitter, I arranged for the saddle to be sent back , leaving me with no saddle and the only option of riding bareback.

My horse suddenly became a happy horse. He loved being ridden bareback; he lifted his back and moved in the most incredible outline. There was no more bucking and I didn’t have any back pains.
I knew this was not ideal long term, as we both love to jump and we couldn’t do that bare back!
All I wanted was a saddle, that made my horse move the same way he moved when ridden bare back, but offered me the security to do everything I would do in a treed saddle.

That is when I decided to try a treeless saddle and came across the Solution Saddles website.
My initial thoughts were “how much??!” but to be honest, I had gotten to the stage that I didn’t care how much a saddle was going to cost, so long as it stayed put, my horse was happy and we were both pain free.
The moment I sat in the saddle I thought ‘wow!!’’ It was so comfortable and I knew in time, my horse would realise it was no different to being ridden bareback.

I attach a picture show jumping in the saddle one week later.
He got a double clear, I didn’t get pinged out of the saddle, which made me stop thinking about the saddle and get that clear round.
I love the saddle and just wish I found it sooner.
It is now time to move forwards, build up our confidence and enjoy a lovely summer together and hopefully we will be in the ribbons soon.

I would just like to thank Jo Dunnett, the Solution Saddles Technical Advisor, who came to see me on a boiling hot Saturday afternoon. Jo did a fabulous job and provided a fabulous aftercare service.
I would also like to thank Amanda in the office for answering my 101 questions by email.
Thanks again,
Gemma Wilson

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“I thought our story might be helpful for others to read, as our problem I don't think is that uncommon, especially with Arabs and Arab crosses - and one friend of mine at least has bought a Solution saddle for her young Arab gelding after seeing the success I had with my saddle.
Lots of people are like me and just love to get out and enjoy their horses without necessarily competing.

I was at the end of my tether with saddle fitting, as nothing seemed to provide a satisfactory “solution” for my horse or me.
We had gone through four different saddle designs in the space of as many years, and tried countless other designs in trials in-between times, in the quest to find something that worked.
Like many Arabs, Zippy is very short-backed, has a wide rib cage, narrow shoulders and a forwards-placed girth groove; I soon discovered this body shape catapults almost every saddle forwards. 

With our first saddle, it shot up her neck – she lost her balance and bucked – I had a nasty fall and was unable to ride again for a few months.
A custom-made combined western/endurance style saddle design followed – but again would slip forwards and left me feeling perched and unstable.
We called in a master saddler, a GP English saddle with point straps was prescribed which stayed in place – but soon white hairs began to appear either side of her withers and following a longer-distance ride one day, the same area came up in horrible pressure weals.
The next saddle was adjustable and better for her back, but we had to resort to a crupper to keep it in place. She absolutely hated the crupper from day one, and never became used to it - and in this saddle even a simple canter was an extreme challenge. I would have to get up on my knees to manage at all and it was bumpy, uncoordinated and uncontrolled. Zippy would slow down to a trot as soon as she could, and I would sigh with relief.
We began to stick to walk and trot only and I resigned myself that the situation may not be ideal, but at least I could still get out and ride my horse.

I began to investigate treeless saddle designs. One seemed to stand out among the rest, in my view – and I arranged a trial.
When Anne Bondi, the Solution Saddles Advisor arrived, I prepared her for disappointment, explaining that nothing worked on my horse and I certainly wouldn’t be able to canter.
Yet from the moment I got on Zippy in The Solution saddle, she felt like a different horse. She felt lighter in front, lighter in my hand, freer and more forward-going. The biggest surprise and delight was when asking her for a slightly faster trot – in a heartbeat she offered a gentle transition into a light, rocking horse canter that I had never experienced on her before.
I’ll always remember Anne’s voice across the arena: ‘So what’s wrong with that then? It looks perfectly normal!’

I listened to my horse and ordered my new saddle then and there. We have not been disappointed since that first trial. Zippy’s back is in excellent shape, she shows no signs of discomfort, and she is a pleasure to take out. I’ve found the lateral stability to be excellent too; on the occasions of those famous Arab spooks and spins.
We have enjoyed participating in a number of sponsored and pleasure rides of 15 to 20 miles, indoor Le Trec trial, games days, and various training clinics.
…. But above all, I can say we now truly are happy hackers.

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Charlie competed in BE affiliated Novice eventing, but he became cagey with his jumping, and had difficulty making distances between fences and spreads. I decided that at the age of 9 he did not like the sport I loved, so retired him and he became a pet and escort for my other competition horse.
Charlie had a very short stride generally, not just in his jumping, and I had put that down to him being built a bit upright. He also had a HUGE wither, and was not very muscular on his top line or neck.
I did not actually buy Charlie a Solution saddle; I bought it for my other competing eventer, who did indeed go better.
But Charlie got to wear it as it was like an armchair to me, and it is for Charlie that I am most pleased.
Charlie, from the first time in the saddle, started to stretch, he is SO EXPRESSIVE that I felt almost moved to tears as gradually he dared to stretch his topline and then his stride as he dared to really move his shoulder. (And yes, I had always had regular back and saddle checks, and the previous tack was always passed as good.)

There is no dramatic end to the story, Charlie is still just a pet, but as you can see from the photo we take playing to a new level! I feel so comfortable in the Solution and so secure that we have let our imagination guide our play, and the photo shows us skipping for joy. Charlie is also teaching people to ride, and especially with novice riders I know that he will always be comfortable. One rider that Charlie has been teaching is considering starting with Intro events with him next year!

The best bit - I bought the saddle for my horses, but they have also benefited me.
For some years I have suffered back pain and shooting pains down my leg. When my saddle was fitted Anne told me that the saddle would stop this, and I was sceptical and just thought "I WISH!” Well, be careful for what you wish for, because she was right. My back can now follow the movement of the horse without restrictions and my mobility is improved, and the pain has gone. Not all good news, as if I ride in other saddles it can still return, but it is bizarre that when I have the pain I can go for a ride in the Solution and I find it is mobilised again. I would not believe it if it did not happen to me! 

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Ashley Derby and Kit

I have owned Kit, a thoroughbred ex race horse for four years. 
When I first got him I was quite happy to hack out, but gradually I wanted to do more with him, so I tried to introduce trotting poles.  Sometimes, but not often, he would go over them, but other times he just wouldn’t have anything to do with them. 
After many months of trying and getting nowhere, I asked Amanda an instructor based at my yard to help me with him. After a little bit of flat work, Amanda put a few poles on the ground and after a lot of patience and encouragement he went over them but still was unsure.  After a while he settled so we progressed to a small cross pole.  At first he refused it but then went over. On landing, he repeatedly wanted to bolt off and put in massive bucks. 
When Amanda took his saddle off and long reined him over the jumps, he was fine and jumped it with ease, with no bolting and bucking. When Amanda replaced the saddle and long reined him again over the same jump again he resumed bolting and bucking. At this point we knew it was the saddle that was hurting him: he was trying to run away from the pain.

Amanda had a Solution treeless saddle for her own horse, and let me try that.
It was like magic - he was more comfortable, and was moving more freely.  After a lot of persuading, my mum finally said we could have a Solution saddle, and we have never looked back.

At the beginning of June 08 we finally entered our first ever show - we didn’t get placed, but it was so good to be able to jump him without him refusing or bolting off. 
In August we went to a local show and he won his class. 
I have also had a couple of jumping lessons and am doing cross country jumping most weekends with a couple of friends at the stable yard.
I can’t tell you how pleased I am with his improvement and its all down to the great Solution treeless saddle. 
I can’t thank you enough.  It’s taken a year for him to forget the pain his old saddle caused him, but we are now looking forward to entering many more shows.

Ashleigh (and a very happy Kit)

Sam and Willow

Probably made the biggest mistake of my life, but I let Sam try out The Solution GP size 3 yesterday.  Now all I have to do is work out how I am going to pay for one for him…

I found it fascinating doing a sort of mock test ride with a child, as he had absolutely no preconceptions about saddles, treed, treeless or otherwise, and some of his comments were very interesting.  He felt comfortable enough to walk trot and canter while we made adjustments, and was very forthcoming when I asked him how the saddle "felt".
Once we had him balanced, he popped over a few jumps quite happily and I thought that although the saddle is a little too big for him at the moment, he didn't swim about in it at all.

The most telling thing, totally unprompted by me, is that he said that for the first time ever he was able to sit down in canter.

Damn.  I have just bought him a new pony (Mrs Balcombe recommends wearing a hat when mounted) and now I will have to buy him another saddle…

Jo Balcombe, Solution Saddles Technical Advisor.

I have owned my Solution Saddle since January 2006.
It is the best thing that has ever happened to my horse who is a highly excitable 14 year old Welsh Section D that I have owned for 6 years.

She used to be very tense, short striding and almost uncontrollable in canter and whilst jumping.
It wasn't until I had a test ride in a Solution saddle that the true extent of her back problems came to light.
I had her checked by a different osteopath who discovered that she had injuries consistent with having fallen over on a treed saddle.
It was about 2 months before I began riding her again and I immediately saw a change and the treeless Solution saddle has obviously helped no end, having no rigid parts. 

At home we are now working at elementary level and doing county level showing.
These are both things that I would never of dreamed of doing previously, as it was a regular occurrence not to even get into the showing ring after a rearing fit!! 
Whilst she is still very sharp whilst jumping, I don't end up on the floor quite so often.

…we got there in the end!!

Katherine Taylor

“I imported Tramado from Portugal in Dec 07 and arranged for a Master Saddler to visit in January 2008. 
I had warned the saddler that Tramado was very wide, but when he arrived he told me that Tramado was in fact a medium.  Well, who was I to argue?  I ended up with a medium dressage saddle. 
I won’t go into all the details with this saddle, but quite frankly it was horrific!
Tramado is sensitive and so he did have ‘tantrums’, but in the back of my mind I wondered: “Could it be the saddle?” He would also spook at the smallest of things which would result in bucking, rearing and spinning. 
I have a friend who also has an Iberian and has now been through 3 different saddlers and quite frankly I felt I had been palmed off with another ill fitting saddle. 

Luckily for Tramado I broke my ankle in May 08 and so he had the whole summer with hardly any riding.  This sent me on my search for an alternative saddle.
I’d never been that keen on treeless saddles; the few I had seen didn’t look very nice, and I couldn’t work out how they managed to avoid pressure points.  Most looked really bulky and required padding and non slip pads etc. 
I spent hours on the internet looking at different saddles and came across the Strada saddle - a flexible tree – they even had an Iberian fit! 
I booked Ilga from Strada, but alas even after 2 visits and various different sizes, there was no way that this would work for Tramado.  It was then that Ilga suggested that maybe Tramado would be a candidate for a treeless and I was aghast!!!  However, Ilga talked about The Solution saddle and recommended that I give them a try.

In the meantime I tried a few other “treeless” saddles, but Tramado hated them, especially in rising trot, so I didn’t hold out much hope.  They still moved forward onto his neck, my legs were in the wrong place; I was at a low.
Jo, a Solution Saddles Technical Advisor, came for the saddle fitting in April 2009 and immediately advised Tramado would be best in The Energist as it was close contact and she believed that anything with panelling would be propelled up his neck.
I loved The Solution from the start!   After a few minor adjustments we were sorted and I couldn’t believe how easy it was and rented the demo model for a longer trial.
I did find it strange to ride in at first, as this was a whole different position for me since my old saddle had me perched towards the front of the horse.  My legs flapped all over the place for the first week, but then it all clicked and it was brilliant.  Tramado had a much bigger trot; his front end was suddenly ‘freed up’.
I gave the demo saddle a thorough working out; we hacked, schooled, even jumped with no movement forward of the saddle and my position improved.
At last I was happy about riding my horse!  

Since riding in my Solution saddle, Tramado has felt so much more relaxed. Gone are the bronching, rearing, charging episodes in the school and out hacking. I am now convinced that these issues were associated with him feeling the frame of a treed saddle digging into his shoulders when he tensed up.
The change in Tramado when ridden in The Solution was instant, so I’m convinced his change in behaviour when ridden is the result of The Solution saddle. 
 
Nowadays, we are even able to hack out with ‘naughty’ horses, which was previously impossible.
Tramado is so much more relaxed, we can enjoy ourselves and are finally having fun! 
At last we are now starting to compete, something that I had previously was impossible!

Thank you so much to the Solution saddle team, the Solution Saddle is the best horsey investment I have ever made!”
Amanda Taylor

Welsh part bred - coloured

After owning and riding thoroughbreds most of my riding days, I bought a Welsh part bred coloured, Walena Cherokee Warrior, AKA Chunk, who is a 6 year old 14.1 gelding.

I tried several different makes of saddles and struggled to find one that Chunk and I felt comfortable with, so I tried a Friend’s Solution saddle.
We both fell in love with it straight away!

I then bought my own Solution saddle and we have come on in leaps and bounds.
We have also qualified for the Trailblazer Showing Championship at Stoneleigh.
 
Stacy Ritson

I bought Tom for pennies in as unrideable…

His previous owners said he was always ‘cold backed’ and had to be lunged before riding, but even then he would always ‘scoot’ off when mounted. They said he never really settled for eventing, and although showing moments of brilliance, always “chucked it” for no apparent reason. They thought that he just wasn’t good enough.
Tom then started showing signs of hypersensitivity to the saddle: dipping or roaching his back when it was fitted and when he was asked to move. 
Vets eventually found a trapped nerve in his sacroiliac joint and a lot of muscle damage.
Although he was brought back into work slowly, he remained traumatised, unrideable and still could not be approached with a saddle. On one occasion when mounted and asked to move he didn’t take a step before he went ‘crazy’ and ditched his rider in complete panic.

Having gone treeless with my cob 4 years ago, it was inevitable that when I bought Tom, he would be in a Solution saddle from the word go – however, the first problem was confidence and trust. He was frightened, stressed, and dangerous.
I am convinced that without the Solution saddle (and 7 months of long hours and patience) no-one would be riding him now!
As an experiment we tried him in a treed saddle (no rider) and he left no prisoners explaining how he felt about that!
He will never be easy, but I can now ride him safely, calmly and willing; he is now a happy, relaxed and affectionate friend.
I had a very posh new saddle made by Solution Saddles just for him and we went out in it for the first time yesterday and won our first red dressage rosette!

Thank you to Solution Saddles - without your saddles it would never have been possible.

Emily Howe, Chesterfield.
August 2009.

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Sally Flatman and Buffy

Ros and Rocky with Jill and Toddy

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Buffy, an Appaloosa / Irish draught cross… and her adventures in her Solution saddle. 

I purchased my Solution 4 years ago through Solution Saddles Technical Advisor, Alex Jacob-Whitworth.  I originally bought it for Buffy's mother but after I had finished backing Buffy I decided to give the Solution a go on her. I compete at endurance riding so a comfy saddle is very important for both horse and rider and we both like the Solution as it is both lightweight and flexible.  I also like the way I can put different pads under the saddle to accommodate different horses and any horse as it changes shape throughout its life and the season.  Buffy was so round when we started that she needed no padding at all, now with help from Alex we have a front riser pad which seems to suit us both.

This year, at the age of 8, Buffy has upgraded to Advanced level at Endurance, completing an 80km (50 mile) ride in August at The Cumbria Challenge Ride near Shap in Cumbria.  We did it in an average speed of 12.15 kph -a total of 6 hours 40 min in the saddle for me!  In the end we got a Grade 4 which is respectable for our first go at the distance.  I was very pleased!

As well as competing in Endurance riding I also do it for fun!  This year myself and 3 friends rode all over the lake district including a route that took us over High Street (I think this is one of the highest bridleways in the UK) on the old Roman road.  I rode over 100 miles in 5 days, all in my Solution. 
Two of my accompanying friends were also in Solution saddles of differing models- 3 out of the 4 of us all in your saddles! 

Next year I want to have a go at a race endurance ride so watch this space!”

Sally Flatman
October ‘09

Julia Skippen and Veteran, Harvey

Harvey and I have been together for just under ten years and he has suffered more than average from various injuries and ailments, but the biggest problem was always his stiff and sensitive back. After owning him for four years I had accumulated four saddles, and, according to two saddle fitters, they all fitted him.

Harvey disagreed. His behaviour varied from a series of small hops to full-on bucking bronco.

Then I attended a demonstration where a horse without any known problems became even freer and better to ride in a Solution saddle. As soon as I could, I took Harvey to try one. Instantly he told me that it was right. Several years later we haven’t looked back and I have both a Solution dressage saddle and a Solution Jumper.

I never thought I would be able to ride him properly when he was having such problems, but now that he is 18 years old we’re enjoying more jumping and dressage than we ever before.

Recently a BD judge and trainer commented that he doesn’t move like an 18 year old horse.

This year we narrowly missed qualifying for the BD regionals at Elementary and we have just returned from the BRC National championships in Lincoln where we were placed 6th in Medium, 9th in Elementary and 4th as a member of our Riding Club open dressage team.

Julia Skippen, October 2009.
Sherbourne, Dorset

“Jimmey and I used to compete in dressage until a few years ago when my arthritic back just didn’t seem willing to cope anymore.

We became happy hackers, but even after just 20 minutes I would be in a lot of pain and I thought my riding days were coming to an end. So many people said to me “Isn’t it time you gave up riding with your back?” I was beginning to agree.

Then I found Solution Saddles!
I am now riding a lot more, for long periods and faster paces - all with NO PAIN.
I never thought it was possible, but I shall be able to carry on riding for many years to come.
Jimmey and I have had so many saddles over the years, many made to measure and very expensive, but Jimmey – now 18 - is very happy too.

I have also been riding a friend’s rather large warmblood in my Solution saddle and she agrees how much better the big chap moves in it.

Claire Walker,
Leeds, June 2010

“We have owned our cob Marley since he was a 3 year old; he has matured and we have purchased 3 brand new saddles for him due to his ever-changing shape. 

The latest saddle, purchased in August 2008, was a working hunter type saddle which the saddler told us was a perfect fit and style for cobs.  The day after the saddle was fitted we competed at our local county show, but the judges remarked that the saddle was tipping forward. 

Marley became difficult to ride: often short striding, nipping us when the girth was tightened, going into the wrong canter lead when under saddle in ridden showing classes and refusing jumps both in the working hunter and show jumping classes. 
Our previously happy pony who loved his jumping was continually avoiding work. Initially we put it down to naughtiness. However; the reason became very clear when we noticed muscle wastage and 2 huge white patches appearing on Marley's back.

We consulted an independent saddle fitter who said that the saddle did not fit our pony.
We also had a vet, teeth and back check - the verdict was the same - it was the saddle that was causing muscle wastage and damage to his back. 

We knew we had to do the best for Marley and consequently we purchased a Solution Saddle for him. 
Since then he is going really well, his back muscle has filled out and the huge white marks have faded. 
He is really stretching out particularly over jumps, regularly winning his jumping and ridden classes. 

The only saddles we will ever use and recommend are the Solution range.

Sandra Dewis & Karen Dewis-Thompson,
Nottingham, May 2010

Scrumpy is a15.1hh, grey Arab, 18 years.
I have had him since he was 2years old, started him myself and he went straight into endurance at 5 years old. Then started the nightmare of saddles...

I started using a saddle that I had used on my previous two horses but it soon became obvious that it did not fit properly so I ordered a “made to measure” Arabian saddle for him.  It was a nice saddle, comfy for me, but, despite being professionally fitted he did not like it and let me know with a great deal of tail swishing and trying to bite my ankles!

The saddle fitter was called out several times, did some adjustments on the flocking and reassured me that it fitted perfectly. Scrumpy seemed to settle down into it eventually, but it was always a problem when his weight fluctuated.
We did a couple of seasons very successfully, working our way up through the grading system. We came 2nd in the Bronze Buckle Cup, and won the Silver Stirrup Championship and Final. I believe that this was in spite of the saddle and that damage had been done.

After doing a fair amount of research I decided that the best option would be to try a treeless saddle. Torsion were very trendy in the endurance world at the time, but after only going one mile decided I did not feel safe and that I would like something that looked and felt more like a traditional saddle.
I then tried the Ansur treeless saddle – the gulletless model. It was very comfortable and it fitted Scrumpy with appropriate padding to make up for his muscle atrophy.  I had a couple of very successful seasons with it, but we were now qualified to “race ride” involving several vet gates where tack has to be taken off and put back on quite rapidly. With all the padding that I had to have under the saddle and the fact that it was difficult to get on without it shifting round I decided to go for a conventional saddle again.
I decided to try a Reactorpanel saddle which was quite successful and we won a 100mile FEI ride.  Afterwards his back was a complete mess and only his determination to get me round had led us to success - but at what cost?
I then tried a WOW saddle – I found it very uncomfortable and Scrumpy had endless back and hind leg lameness issues. I decided to retire him and took on a youngster, Mawi.

Scrumpy had some operations on his hocks, time healed his back and he made it obvious that he was not ready to retire.  I had bought a Free ‘n’Easy saddle for Mawi as it is popular in endurance riding, so I could not afford another expensive saddle for Scrumpy – he would have to make do with a WINTEC and lots of padding.

Scrumpy went back to novice level while I was bringing on Mawi. At this level, the Wintec did not appear to be causing him too many problems, except that after any hilly rides, he would finish sore behind the saddle.  As we progressed it was obvious that this was not going to work.

In the meantime we had our saddles stolen so I decided to research different options again, came back to the treeless concept and found Solution Saddles. I decided to trial the new gulleted Freestyle model and found it was perfect for both of us.

We did a 40k ride and were both in perfect condition at the end.

Unfortunately the insurance company would not pay the full amount for the saddles stolen so I could not afford to buy it after our trial period.  Scrumpy was going well in the Wintec except for downhill rides but the crunch came with a particularly difficult, steep ride in Derbyshire where towards the end he was almost refusing to come down!

I went back to Solution Saddles, who had by now introduced their new SMART™ saddle, and off we went to start our new season.

To be continued ...

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