RigidFree™ saddle myth #27: ‘’My saddle fitter has told me that horses go well in RigidFree™ saddles for 2 – 3 months but then start exhibiting problems. Is this true and if so, why?’’

RigidFree™ SMART™ saddles offer excellent performance both short and long-term. With carefully developed, patented technology and hard-wearing, high density materials, there is no reason why a SMART™ saddle cannot – and will not – continue to improve your horse’s comfort and performance under saddle longitudinally. So, why do some saddle fitters claim to have experienced horses developing issues 2 – 3 months after moving into a RigidFree™ SMART™ saddle? The answer is simple and will be obvious to any experienced saddle fitter: Horses change shape.

We all know that horses are constantly changing shape and, whilst a SMART™ saddle can flex to accommodate these changes in shape, that does not mean that the fit does not need to be reviewed. What’s more, it is no coincidence that peer-reviewed research* indicates that saddle fit should be checked every 3 months, as it is probable that the back shape will change sufficiently during this period to render a refit necessary. Adding that a fully flexible SMART™ saddle encourages healthy back muscle development and positive postural changes, it is no wonder that a SMART™ saddle may need rebalancing after 2 – 3 months of ridden work in a RigidFree™, flexible SMART™ saddle.

But, before you start panicking that you might need to invest in another saddle at this point in time, worry not! The flexible SMART™ saddle can simply be refitted using recommended shims and balance pads (if necessary) to ensure that you and your horse can continue to enjoy your SMART™ saddle without any interruption to your training schedule.

What our customers say:

“He’s now completely different to look at; his back is clearly stronger, the dips behind his withers are filling in, and each time he changes shape, a SMART™ Advisor has been available to assist us if needed.” - Sally Johnson, SMART Saddle Customer

‘’The SMART™ Advisor was so helpful, I had a concern about the fit and she offered solutions over the phone and arranged to come out to review the saddle. Pictures of his back had been taken at the initial visit so we could see the difference and how the horses back muscles had developed in 4 weeks. The saddle balance pads were tweaked and now the saddle fits his new shape perfectly.’’ - Gillian Kettles, SMART Customer

Before using a SMART saddle

After 4 weeks in a SMART saddle

If you think that your horse has changed shape and your SMART™ saddle fit needs reviewing, you can contact your local SMART™ Advisor or the team at SMART™ Saddles HQ for help and advice at any time:

smart@solutionsaddles.com

01909 720 259

*A longitudinal study of back dimension changes over 1 year in sports horses. Line Greve, Sue Dyson

April Newsletter 2022: A SMART Investment, The Perfect Saddle Solution

 

A SMART™ Investment The award-winning SMART™ saddle range, with its unique, flexible design and equally flexible trial and payment options, represents excellent long-term value, saving not only money but also time and worry: No need to buy a new saddle each time your horse changes shape Simple to adjust: Quickly and easily change the fit without changing the saddle Reduced ongoing costs of treatment and therapies Multiple horses? No problem! Hard-wearing materials for minimal maintenance Test Ride fee refunded when you buy  Try-before-you-buy rental service: Up to 2 weeks’ FREE 3 x 0% Payment Plans: Spread the cost over up to 12 months

Continue reading to find out more

''The SMART saddle has already proven its value many times over in the short time I've had it.'' ~ Rebekah Adshead, SMART saddle customer

HAPPA (Horses and Ponies Protection Association)

''SMART™ saddles have offered us the perfect solution, allowing us to improve the welfare of both the horses and the staff, as well as massively reducing costs of saddle fitting, investing in new saddles and physiotherapy".   Continue reading here.

Find out more about HAPPA

Planning your SMART Test Ride

Due to increasing demand for the award-winning SMART saddle range, there is a wait list in operation where certain saddles are not immediately available. Although our typical lead is just 28 days for new saddles to be made, by planning ahead, you can help us to help you. Simply get in touch so that we can schedule saddles to be available at the right time for you: E-mail  smart@solutionsaddles.com or call  01909 720 259

Book your SMART Test Ride

**** Spring Competition ****

How has your horse improved since changing to a SMART saddle? Have you moved up the grades or are you gaining better marks? ********************************************************** Share your success for a chance to win a SMART Competition Saddle Cloth.

Submit your SMART story here

Order SMART Accessories  from our webshop

SMART™ Pad Cover £70.00 A neat and easy to use system where multiple pads are required for optimal saddle fit. View RoadSMART Reflector Strips £25.00 Be safe, be seen with our reflective saddle accessories in a choice of colours. View Custom SMART Cantle Design £50.00 Customise your the finish of your saddle with a SMART Cantle design. View

"As a rider, trainer and riding coach, the more the SMART saddles evolve, the easier life gets with regard to solving individual issues for both horse and rider." ~ Tim Downes FBHS

A SMART™ Investment

A well-made and correctly fitted saddle is probably one of the most expensive investments horse owners will make for their horse. The award-winning SMART™ saddle range, with its unique, flexible design and equally flexible trial and payment options, represents excellent long-term value, saving not only money but also time and worry:

No need to buy a new saddle each time your horse changes shape

SMART™ saddles are unique because they are fully flexible and RigidFree™. The ability to flex with the horse’s back both short-term and long-term, allows for optimal fit and performance season after season. 

 

Simple to adjust: Quickly and easily change the fit without changing the saddle

With no need to change your SMART™ saddle when your horse changes shape, adjustments to fit are quickly and easily made by using external SMART™ balance pads where necessary. Starting from just £25 per pair, the flexible saddle system is an affordable way to maintain optimal saddle fit. 

 

Reduced ongoing costs of treatment and therapies

Flexible fit for a flexible back. SMART™ saddles flex to promote healthy posture and back muscle development, reducing the risk of saddle-related injuries, sore backs and time off trying to resolve such issues.  

 

Multiple horses? No problem!

As SMART™ saddles are made of high-density materials, they maintain their own form and do not mould to a particular back shape, enabling the same SMART™ saddle to flex around different horses’ backs without compromise. Double the horses needn’t mean double the saddle expense with the flexible SMART™ saddle system. 

Mother/Daughter share: 14.1hh, 16.1hh, 18hh share the same SMART Dressage saddle

 

Hard-wearing materials for minimal maintenance

SMART saddles are handmade in the UK using premium materials and do not need reflocking in the same way that traditional saddles do. Cared for and stored correctly, SMART™ saddle base panels are unlikely to need attention for many years. 

 

 

Risk Free Trial Options: 

Ø  Test Ride fee refunded when you buy 

Try a selection of SMART™ saddles at a home consultation with an approved SMART™ Advisor to feel the difference a SMART™ saddle can make for you and your horse.  

Ø  Try-before-you-buy rental service: Up to 2 weeks’ FREE

Choose to take a SMART™ saddle on trial before making any commitment to purchase; try the saddle out in your own time to ensure it meets your needs.  

Ø  3 x 0% Payment Plans: Spread the cost over up to 12 months

Plan your finances with a SMART™ Payment Plan over 3, 6 or 12 months. 

 

 

''I decided to rent the SMART GP saddle for a few weeks so I could really test it out out properly; I tried it at home and at jumping and flatwork lessons. This allowed me to get a proper feel for the saddle and make sure I was 100% happy with it. My youngster felt very happy and comfortable in the saddle and was happier to work freely over his back. Purchasing the SMART GP saddle with the payment plan has made buying it a lot more affordable for me. I’ve been very impressed by Solution Saddles and the customer service and would happily use them again.'' Emma Taylor, SMART saddle customer

 

 

''The extended trial period via the rental service was invaluable and really gave me confidence that I was investing in something special.'' Pip Bell, SMART saddle customer 

To find out more about the SMART saddle range, please don't hesitate to get in touch:

Tel: 01909 720 259 / 07738 711 099

E-mail: smart@solutionsaddles.com

Visit: www.solutionsaddles.com 

 

March Newsletter 2022: SMART Native Saddle Reimagined | New Products | Price Updates

 

The SMART Native saddle: Reimagined

The SMART™ Native Dressage and Jump saddles have had a makeover. Now combining the much-loved, tried and tested SMART™ Native features, for freedom of movement on wider, flatter back shapes, with the elegance of the SMART™ Elite range, all SMART™ Native Dressage and SMART™ Native Jump saddles ordered from March 2022 onwards will benefit from the following details as standard: Suprabloc knee flap: reduce the bulk from under your thigh, particularly on horses with a wide rib cage and large, well covered shoulders Refined saddle flap: for an elegant finish Custom cantle designs: stand out from the crowd with a custom, interchangeable cantle on your new SMART™ saddle Patent detailing: a touch of luxe Elite girth arrangement: for even greater stability, particularly on narrow fronted or downhill conformation

Browse online

New Products from Solution Saddles

SMART Pad Cover

The perfect solution for housing SMART™ dorsal pads and shims, enabling easy transfer of your SMART™ Balance Pads between horses and/or saddles.  Features a non-slip silicone print on both sides ensuring your SMART Balance Pads' remain in place between the saddle and saddle cloth, whilst the stretch material flexes around your horse’s back shape without pulling down.

SMART™ Pad Cover £70.00 A neat and easy to use system where multiple pads are required for optimal saddle fit. Find out more

Be safe, be seen!

Be safe, be seen with Solution Saddles’ new range of high visibility and reflective saddle accessories, designed specifically for the SMART™ saddle range.

RoadSMART Cantle £40.00 Quick and easy to swap with your everyday or competition SMART™ cantle in seconds. Compatible with any SMART™ saddle that has the interchangeable cantle feature. View RoadSMART Reflector Strips £25.00 Compatible with ALL SMART™ and Solution Original saddle models, easily attached to the rear thigh block Velcro to catch the attention of other road users View

Price Increases: Effective 1st April 2022   Due to the ever-increasing costs of raw materials, prices will increase across the SMART saddle range from 1st April 2022: SMART Elite Dressage and Jump: from £3,495  SMART Elite Event: from £2,895 SMART PRO Jump: from £3,295  SMART PRO GP, VSD, Event & Traditional: from £2,600  SMART Native Dressage & Jump: from £2,595 SMART Native  GP, VSD: from £2,500  SMART Native Pony range: from £2,150 Solution Original range (to order only): from £2,250

SMART Saddle Test Ride £75.00 Book your test ride before 31st March 2022 to benefit from today's prices! Book now

Payment plan example: SMART PRO GP saddle RRP: £2600.00 0% Payment Plan Deposit amount Monthly instalments Total to pay 3 months £500 3 x £700.00 £2600.00 6 months £750 6 x £308.00 £2600.00 12 months £1000 10 x £160.00 £2600.00   *saddle package total cost may vary depending on saddle price and optional extras.

Are you considering trying a SMART saddle for your ex-racehorse?

Or has your horse been diagnosed with 'Kissing Spines'? Find out how a fully flexible SMART saddle can help...

"This saddle has been a real game changer for Rodney, he’s clearly so much more comfortable and is going better than he has for ages - we were afraid he would never come right after his kissing spines diagnosis, so it’s really great to see Ruby and Rodney enjoying their work again!"

Read more