"In our business we help “problem” horses and owners to understand each other.

We come across many horses who buck, bolt, nap, bite etc and many of these issues stem from ill-fitting tack - especially saddles, so I know the importance of finding the right saddle that will fit my horse throughout the year, as he changes shape with each season, and as he changes shape with age.

Having bought my wee Highland as a yearling nearly three years ago the time was fast approaching to find him a saddle to start the backing process but I was really struggling to find a saddle that didn’t seem to “levitate” above his ample body!

After meeting Anne and being introduced to The Total Solution Saddle, I did a bit of research on the internet and thought this might be the answer to my problems.

Being able to “try before you buy” is a great idea. I tried the saddle out on my older horse as well as some other horses at my livery yard - I could really put it to the test and be sure that I am making the right choice for my young pony. I plan to show him in the future so this saddle, unlike some treeless alternatives, will be perfectly acceptable for competing.

In my line of business I also believe it will be an invaluable tool in ensuring that I will be able to use it on a variety of different horses."

I have American Quarter Horses and ride them both English and western and although I have no problem fitting them with western saddles, English saddles are always difficult. I am currently breaking a 3 year old QH filly and was having the usual problem finding a saddle to fit her from my collection.

I was reluctant to buy her a new saddle, which she would grow out of and as a result of a small advert in the Yorkshire Post, I came across your web site, Total Saddle Solutions and started to look at treeless saddles as an economic solution to my problem.

I remembered a friend had imported a treeless saddle from America so gave her a call to find out what make of saddle she had bought and how she felt about it. It turned out to be an Ansur and she offered to lend it to me to try.

I tried it on the filly I was trying to fit with a saddle, I disliked the feel of it, but the horse was clearly much more comfortable. I rode in it each day and by the third day I was hooked. I absolutely loved it. We tried other horses in it and they all liked it.

About 18 moths prior to this I had bought an 8 year old Quarter horse mare, Annie, which was unbroken. Clearly people had tried to break her and failed. I strongly suspected they had used a badly fitting saddle and hurt her. She was seriously traumatised when ever a saddle was even brought into her sight, let alone put on her back. She had absolutely no objection to a rider with no saddle. Although we had progressed to a level of acceptance, where we could ride her, she remained so frightened and unpredictable, I decided to sell her as a brood mare.

Having seen such fabulous reactions from my other horses, I just HAD to try Annie in the Ansur before she retired to stud. She had not been ridden for 4/5 months, fresh from the field and she went like a dream the very first time she was ridden in the Ansur. I stood in the middle of my arena, watching my daughter ride her and had tears running down my face.... I made an embarrassing phone call to a prospective buyer and kept the horse. She is going from strength to strength.

I have been deeply involved with horses and riding for 50 years. I did not know there was ANYTHING left that could have such a profound affect on my perception of saddles in relation to horse reaction. I bought two saddles for myself at your demo/clinic in Yorkshire. I am also happy to say, the owner of the Ansur, was introduced to the front riser pad by your rep and is now enjoying her saddle too.

Although the saddles were expensive, I cannot thank you enough. A beautiful horse, with a doubtful future is now a valuable asset to our team...that even pacified the husband/supplier of funds!!!

My first interest came for a horse known as “JC Too” or “Jim” to his friends. I had acquired Jim as a project in October 2004, as a very green 6 year old. In my fascination with his fabulous temperament, and his metronomic trot rhythm, I had overlooked his rather dippy back, and his complete inability to canter!

The fact that he had spent two years running around in Ireland with his head in the air, did not put him in the best starting place to commence life as a dressage horse either!

It soon became apparent that as long as he was totally comfortable under his saddle, he was prepared to learn. This was all well and good, but as he learned, so he got stronger over his back, and he changed shape. Bearing in mind his total lack of acceptance of discomfort you will understand that from October to February we went through 5 saddles! As he began to grow out of the fifth saddle, I began a search for an alternative. A chance meeting with Anne Bondi led me to “going treeless”

At that time Jim had mastered some degree of balance in walk and trot, but was still cantering only when fifty acres were available, and in a fair impression of an Alton Towers experience. Within two months of starting work in his new saddle he had won his first novice test with 76%! Steady progress has been made ever since. Learning to canter enabled him to learn to jump, and his new found freedom of movement meant that learning lateral work was childs play! This year he has competed at medium level, and been a star at the BHSI examinations.

Naturally having had such amazing results with the saddle I was keen to try it on other horses. The fact that the saddle is so light weight and folds up has enabled me to take it with me on my travels around the world to teach. I have used my saddle on every conceivable shape and type of horse, and all have quickly discovered greater freedom of movement and elasticity, rapidly followed by more willingness to work towards self carriage.

At home we have tested the durability of the saddle to excess! We own two, and both are used daily on at least four horses each. It is fortunate for me that many of my clients now ride on The Solution, as I am no longer allowed to remove my own from the yard for more than about half an hour. To do so would cause too much distress amongst those left at home, as they would have to fight over the one remaining saddle!

I have currently got three horses of my own in work, “Jim” who is an Irish sports horse, “George” who is Pure Irish Draught, and as wide as a house, and “CK” who is an Australian thoroughbred ex race horse. He is narrow beyond belief! All three wear the same saddle each day to work.

As a rider, a trainer of horses, and a teacher of riders, The Solution has made my daily life easier, saved me hours of time trying to find saddles that ”fit” and enabled me to develop the training of many individual horses and riders way beyond their expectations.

I researched treeless saddles in the hope of getting one or two saddles to work both horses comfortably despite their differences in stature, fitness and age. Also I didn’t fancy buying a series of saddles for the young horse as he changed shape every few months.

After a test ride on an Energist and a Jumper I decided to buy a Jumper, with the young horse in mind given his stifle difficulties. His work regime involved a lot of cantering in straight lines, up and down hills so a nice forward cut saddle would help me get out of his way.

The horse was a joy to ride under this saddle and made significant progress but sadly not enough progress to make him a safe riding horse. In the meantime I had come across a second hand Energist for sale. It was huge (American size small!!!) but given I am 6’ tall my legs loved it. The old horse loved it too. Along with Alexander lessons, the saddle gave me and the old boy a new lease of life with a crisp canter, near symmetry on both reins and a rather surprising amount of bounce. At 20 years old he is still going strong.

A new horse arrived this January with very difficult conformation; high withers, croup high, well sprung ribs. She was a horse of two halves, disconnected in the middle which I put down to being ridden with the brakes on and too narrow a tree.

I intended to ride her in my big old Energist but her conformation simply wouldn’t allow the saddle to fit and me to ride in balance so she was put back in her own saddle which I had widened. The horse coped ok but I got more and more depressed about her lack of sparkle and freedom knowing full well that a Solution saddle would make a big difference to her.

Eventually I tried her in a Freestyle and hey presto the beautiful Hannovarian emerged. She had a huge bounce in her trot that required big blocks if I wasn’t going to arrive at K in a heap but now her trot has smoothed out and the blocks have been discarded. Now she spends plenty of time in the air skimming the surface rather than pogo-ing about with legs going like pistons.

Background
I have been riding Solo is a 12.3 hh Welsh Section C Pony of Cob type. He did not have the best start in life and was ridden far too early and his back muscles were badly damaged. His present owner, Lyn Caldwell, rescued him in an emaciated condition and scared of his own shadow and spent the best part of two years just getting to know him, massaging his back and gaining his trust.

Being small but solid, I decided straight away that I had to use my Solution Saddle on him. I had successfully used it on two horses but because he was so small, it seemed to be the obvious choice as there was not going to be a chance of any pressure points and would spread my weight totally evenly. It also allows you to feel the horse’s movement and whether there is any problem with the gait – which in endurance is most important. My only doubt at the time was that the whole saddle would be too big for him – but this has NOT caused a problem in any shape or form. However, Shena Kozuba-Kobzuska did the initial fitting and under her expert eye and tuition, he has blossomed.

Since then, Solo has had success in the show ring qualifying for the Picton National Novice Mountain & Moorland Final at his first attempt – but has found his real niche in Endurance. He might only be 12.3 hh but he can keep up with the “big boys” and is now starting to do the bigger mileages and has already successfully completed a ride of 64 km (40 miles) – nearly 6 hours riding time with only one break. 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 The Solution really comes into its own. Most of the year, he has nothing underneath it bar a thin sheepskin lined numnah – when he is fitter and therefore not quite so barrel-shaped – we use the forelift pad to lift the saddle over his withers. He is now one ride away from going into the Open Level of Endurance GB.

Over the last 18 months – he has changed quite dramatically. He will always be highly strung and flighty but he used to be totally tense when you rode him in a traditional saddle with a tree and would try to run away from it. Now he is totally chilled – as well as he will ever be – and this is entirely due to the fact he has learned that he can work without any discomfort and life is FUN.

So far in 2008, Solo is going well – he has successfully completed 2 x 65 km, 1x 50 km and 2 x 40 km – he has entries over the next few weeks and is being aimed at the FEI at the end of July at Euston Park.
He is representing Wales at the Home International in Ireland in August and he represented Wessex when we won the Southern Championships.

The horse that was ridden yesterday was brought from me as a six year old stallion when I retired in 1999/2000. I sold him as he was difficult with his saddle and persistently twitched and scuttled violently from under it at every opportunity – you have just no idea.

I have broken all the horses I bred, and as my first husband was a dealer, I rode all the horses we sold – in excess of a thousand per year – I never had one as bad as this horse, which was depressing as I bred him and he never had anything bad or wrong happen to him – his brothers and sisters were all fine. His mother, a group winning racehorse, had a “twitchy” back however.

This young stallion was left entire as he was, in my opinion, a potential world class dressage horse – the big “but” has always been his resistance to his saddle. I was delighted to see him working with the freedom and extravagance he had shown in his early days – not a “twitch” in sight and he has now the confidence in his back to begin the career he should have had – he begins to look like his father. This is down to your work and your saddle – thank you.

"I feel that the saddle has given me a much better understanding of how Perry is feeling on a day to day basis. It has made me ride a lot straighter, and question my own riding when something is not going well.

I have MS and therefore I have very little feeling in my left side, so the close contact has helped me feel more on that side. It also helps with my joints.

With The Solution I have found that I move more freely with the horses movement and I feel a lot more supple because of it."

Autism is the big thing – processing of information is the difficulty.
With autism, you have no imagination. If you teach someone, you often say “Imagine if…” But you can’t do that. And that is why horses are so good for people with autism because they only respond to a form of reality. People have their own reality but a horse imposes a reality on people.

I only work with one person with cerebral palsy, but I have found that they spasm away from constriction and that this constriction can be caused by metal’ cold, contact, tension, excitement, in fact almost anything.
Warmth is important; some centres only use a vaulting roller because the rider is kept warm from the closeness to the horse’s back.

In the UK, because of H&S regulations, we are prohibited from the use vaulting rollers, in spite of them being better for our riders than a traditional saddle by miles.

I first tried The Solution Saddle myself last July. Many years ago, I had been forced to give up riding after a horse fell on me, leaving me with a shattered hip. Actually, that’s a whole different story, because if I had been riding in a treeless saddle, it probably would not have crushed me like an axe.

It took thirty years for me to persuade the NHS that I was not too young to have a hip replacement. In the interim, I suffered a great deal of pain which I was told was just my pain threshold…but I was never x-rayed. When I was, it was apparent that that it was grossly arthritic and dislocating.

Replaced hip, brilliant, but arthritic spine as a result of uneven weight bearing for years, made riding more of a pain than a pleasure. So my mind went into overdrive after trying The Solution saddle for 15 min (the longest I could stay in a saddle at that time)
… Dismounting, and no pain!
Why?
…And if I felt like this, how would it benefit some of my more physically fragile riders, especially a young man with spinal curvature due to osteoporosis?

One of the benefits of riding as a therapy is the movement through the riders spine caused by the movement of the horse, and understanding that the horse could also move more freely and with increased activity in this saddle, I realised it would enhance the beneficial effects to the rider. A real concern I had was the discomfort being caused to our therapy horse, who loves to work. All those in our therapy group are adult riders who are very much more unbalanced and one sided than is normal. Although a well up to weight cob, our faithful chap would show his discomfort each year, towards the end of our season. And although he was never naughty, his expression and attitude to work said it all.

So we bought a saddle… quite an undertaking on a limited budget, but it has been so exciting to witness the results.

Confidence has improved with the more nervous people. Everyone, without exception, is able to find a more balanced position, by themselves, without having to understand concepts about straightness, balance etc. For some people I work with even simple concepts like “up” “back” “tall” are meaningless. They all now look safer as a result of finding their balance more securely, and this gives me peace of mind with current health and safety issues around disabled riding.

The young man with osteoporosis is able to straighten his spine to a degree not previously seen, with no effort on his part, except for enjoying his favourite activity. Another lady with learning difficulties just laughs – she’s so proud that she has now mastered rising trot in her second session in the new saddle.
Not a big deal you may think, but she has been riding since childhood and, now in her forties, she has never managed this before

Those riders who would go rigid or over compensate to movement in a sometimes quite bizarre way now do so much less. One in particular, no longer tries to brace her leg in front of the knee roll and sit behind the cantle. Another who could only do a rising trot with the most awful contortions of his back now does not keep the absolute physical rigidity that was present before. It is fascinating to see the improvement to being able to coordinate this naturally.

All of my riders have communication difficulties and so cannot express in their own words how they experience the difference of riding in The Solution Saddle, but, for the people on the ground, the difference is clear.

If you work in this field I would urge you to try one, for the welfare of your ponies, and the well-beingwell being of your riders.

As for me, after years of believing it was impossible, I have begun pain free riding again.

I was starting to lose heart until I made the decision to try a treeless saddle to see if it would make a difference. I tried many different ones over the course of a year then discovered Solution Saddles. I tested a couple & fell in love with the "Freestyle".

Straight away I felt a difference in him; even when hacking out he is forward going, supple & he can stride out like never before.

Since purchasing my Freestyle saddle in December, my horse Jigsaw has been placed every time out in his dressage competitions even getting a first place.

I no longer get those same comments & my horse feels younger & happier than ever!!! THANK YOU!

"Yes, I had to buy TWO saddles in the end, but it is worth it to see not being only Peter, but every other horse that Alice and I ride enjoying their work, without constriction and discomfort.

I am now busy trying to persaude the Scottish Highlands to become a 'tree free' zone. Peter is a good ambassador, as the photograph shows."

"I Just love the jumping saddle, it is so comfortable. That you for your help, it has been a pleasure dealing with you."

Suzanne Duff and her very happy horse!

"Thank you for sending the saddle cover. Much appreciated and please give my thanks to Anne also for remembering to send it - she must have a lot to do always so it was a further example of your good customer service that i received it so quickly.
Still love the saddle too - and so does my horse!"

Ruth Baillie

Nick has been involved with horses for some 25 years, including teaching and competing in the UK and overseas. His wife Kathy is by comparison, relatively “green” having only taken up riding seriously some 15 years ago.

Kathy and Nick have four horses between them, three of whom are descended from Kathy’s “first horse”. While Nick’s passion is eventing, Kathy tends to prefer to keep closer to the ground, preferring quiet hacking and dressage.

Kathy’s involvement with The Solution Saddles started, as is often the case, out of frustration from being unable to find a saddle to solve the problems that she was experiencing with one of her horses. Since changing to a Solution saddle, the difference in the horse in question was tremendous.

The changes in the other two horses, both of whom are now ridden in The Solution, have been a real “eye-opener”, since it was not previously considered that either had any saddle issues!

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 had 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.

I have had my older mare, Chiquita, for 8 years and due to her shape I found it difficult to get a saddle to fit her properly. Despite a number of visits and advice from professional saddle fitters and numerous saddles, we failed to find one that really worked. I have always felt they have not been quite comfortable for her and Chiquita always walked a couple of paces away from me when I got on her and was generally quite stiff at a slow canter.

After purchasing the Solution GP on my first long ride, I had a very long collected canter and Chiquita felt so rounded and comfortable - the difference was incredible. Since starting to ride in The Solution Chiquita doesn’t walk away from me when I mount her and she feels far softer. I am looking forward to riding more, in the knowledge that my horses are comfortable and feel good.

Kadiya Qasem, the Solution Saddles Technical Advisor who visited me, has a wealth of experience and knowledge and I am so pleased with the information she gave me. The saddle has been worth every penny; it hasn’t slipped and is extremely comfortable for both horse and me.

My vet saw my saddle yesterday and was extremely impressed with it. He has seen other treeless which he wasn't so keen on but thought your saddle was perfect. Many thanks once again and I will continue to spread the good news about how wonderful my saddle is.

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.

I own a very nice, kind, sweet cob mare. She has always been a well horse, and is seen by the McTimoney practitioner twice a year as a matter of course. In the past a small amount of re-adjustment was necessary at each visit. However, since I started using The Solution treeless saddle, she has not needed any work at all on her back.

In fact the chiro commented on how very well and evenly muscled she is throughout and she is fully in favour of The Solution Saddle.

To top it all we took 1st place last summer in Best Condition, 2nd Best Cob and 3rd in Veteran at a large show in Dorset. Not bad for a 20 year old competing against horses half her age!!

The judge wanted to know what saddle I used and I was able to tell her how delighted I was with my Solution treeless investment. I also ride my young Morgan in the same saddle and would find it very difficult to fit her with a conventional saddle.

I also take part in many fun rides during the summer months, entailing about 3-4 hour's riding covering anything up to 20 miles.

Since using my Solution Saddle, these rides have become so much easier, both the horse and I return to the venue in fine form and with plenty of energy left. Previously, with my conventional treed saddle I used to feel pretty whacked after a long ride and suffering with a very stiff back. At 60 this is a blessing as I plan to ride into my 80s!

I own the dressage model saddle and am now saving for a jumping saddle to complete my tack collection.
I would never go back to a treed saddle and I have my horses' good health and soundness to reaffirm this decision.

Thank you for my extremely smart saddle cloth, it fits beautifully and I have received several compliments on it! Well, questions actually, as riders want to know just what a saddle solution is!! So I then spend several minutes extolling the virtues of my saddle, which often results in my untacking the horse half way round a ride to show someone the underside of the saddle and explain its benefits!! I feel very lucky and look forward to using it for years to come.

I was initially quite sceptical about The Solution Saddles - not that there seemed to be anything wrong with them, just that there are many innovative saddlers around all claiming that their product is the best thing ever for the horse's back - but I had to change my mind when Listy lent me this one to try.

I have a Highland pony and like most of his breed he has big powerful shoulders and huge scapulas.
Listy and I both felt my treed saddle was constricting his shoulders and making it hard for him to extend his front legs and bend correctly. I also felt that the energy coming from behind was getting stuck at his shoulders rather than going through into his neck.

The most immediate effect of the Solution Saddle was the greater freedom in his shoulders. I was amazed to feel how much movement there was in them, especially going up and down steep hills. He now feels much more connected and after only a month is beginning to develop the correct muscles in his neck and carry himself better. (I practice Equine Shiatsu and am very sensitive to all this).

And as for me - I find The Solution Saddle the most comfortable saddle I have ever sat in. Not only that, I feel completely secure and much more confident.

I'm no longer bracing myself against the discomfort of rigid parts and my riding has improved no end.

So thanks very much: your saddles certainly work for us.

I can honestly say that the Solution Saddle has kept me ‘in the saddle’ and not on the floor! It is the most comfortable and secure saddle I have ever sat in. I love it!

I am hugely relieved to feel that secure on a young horse who throws quite the most incredible tantrums – it means I can just sit there and let her get on with it. Of course she, herself, has never worried about having her saddle on and her muscle tone is developing beautifully.

She is the kind of horse who lets you know immediately if she isn’t happy with something and she has never once objected to being tacked up.

It has caused a stir on an otherwise traditional yard but people are slowly coming round to the idea and seeing how well she goes!

I am still amazed at how reluctant people are when I tell them I have a treeless saddle. So many people on my yard constantly have to get the saddler out because a saddle that fitted last week seems to be causing trouble this week and I say to all of them that they should think about treeless.

And the support you offer afterwards is also fantastic. Thank you all.

After meeting Anne and having a test ride in a majority of the models, I was convinced.

Conor’s muscles had to re train, but we are now competing again. He used to be uneven on his feet and heavy on the forehand, but my farrier has even commented that the wear on his shoes has improved and a set can now last up to 3 refits.

This has helped save the pennies!

There is definitely no way that I will be returning to the old days. It has been the best financial investment I have ever made and I have a much happier pony to boot!

From a very satisfied customer(s).

I changed livery yards in August 2007 and by the September, my riding instructor and I became concerned that the saddle was causing problems and may not fit properly any longer. My equine physio confirmed this.

Coincidentally I had been talking with a local rider, Kay Murrell, about her treeless Solution Saddle and being open-minded, was intrigued by them.

I decided to compare the two types so arranged for my regular saddle fitter to visit with standard GP saddles and for Solution Saddles Technical Advisor, Jo Dunnett to visit the next day with the treeless.

When I tried Piki in the treed saddles he seemed tense and hurried, as if trying to escape something but when I tried the Solution Energist saddle he relaxed, stretched and seemed calmer.

I agreed to trial the Energist for about six weeks, and despite my instructor’s initial scepticism, bought it. I still have an opinionated little Arab, but we’ve had no back problems since.

The physio checked his back six months later and was very pleased. He is calmer; more supple and needed no treatment.

A year on, our confidence has grown so much that we’ve started jump training, something I swore I didn’t want to do. Unfortunately the Energist just isn’t cut out for show jumping – I’ve tried!

So, a quick email to Solution Saddles Customer Services Advisor, Amanda asking about jump saddles and much to Jo’s surprise, I’m now trialling one. Early days yet but watch this space…

Many thanks to Jo and Amanda for all their help and support.

Close contact Dressage saddle without gullet - Energist
RRP... £1620
Tester Vicky Armitage

Is it lightweight or heavy?
Very lightweight and easy to carry around and put on

Do you like the design? Why?
I like the design very much as it looks like a traditional saddle; it is very smart too

Does it have any particular/special features you like/dislike?
I like how the saddle is designed with the horse and rider in mind. The stirrups are set so that there is minimal pressure on the horse and the rider is put in the correct place making it easier on both horse and rider.

Did you like the material? Why?
The material is very smart soft and pliable.

Was it comfortable to ride in?
It is very comfy for both horse and rider, although it may take people used to rigid saddles a little while to get used to feeling extra movement from their horse!

Did the sizing come up correctly?
Sizing is fine and well thought out.

Is it good value for money?
Very good value for money especially as only ever need one saddle for evermore!!

Was it easy to keep clean?
Very easy to keep clean.

If you could change anything about it, what would you change and why?
No changes to saddle but maybe some dressage blocks to help some people feel more secure.

Would you buy it again? Why?
Would definitely buy again

What type for horse would you recommend this saddle for?
Recommend for absolutely any horse. Particularly ones that have been restricted and shortened by conventional ill fitting saddles and those with back problems and lost confidence

Any other comments?
My horse has never been as comfortable in his back with a saddle. He has had an operation for kissing spines and this saddle has given him back the confidence to move freely. His physio says he never has any back pain in the saddle area at all and is amazed. The only complaint is I cannot get on from the ground on hacks if I have to get off as the whole thing slips. However, the benefits of the saddle far out weigh this problem.

Amanda had a Solution 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 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.

However, I was really taken by a friend’s horse that was progressing beautifully in his Solution Saddle. Intrigued, I would ride in it as often as I could and to all on the ground Molly moved much better and seemed to be happier with it.

When I decided to purchase a dressage saddle I was willing to give The Solution treeless Energist a try. It is an understatement to say that I have never looked back!

I initially went with the idea that I was doing this for the good of my horse as I really did think that the less metal on a horses back the better! But I was thrilled when I realised that I was also riding so much better in it.

Recently I joined some jumping lessons, and I think that I had become so accustomed to the feel you get with the treeless saddle I was surprised at how uncomfortable and "perched" my GP treed saddle felt. I feel like a passenger on the horse and not a part of the movement the horse is creating.

I also have to confess that the very next evening after our initial jumping lesson when tacking up, the hollowing had returned after months without it.... I think Molly has spoken!!

“I bought my Solution Saddle about 8 months ago, after spending a lot of time and money on treed saddles. Jojo is a 14.3hh Highland X TB which doesn't sound like she would be difficult to fit a saddle to…

Saddle 1
- I bought when she was 5 and round with no withers. After a year of work it no longer fitted.

Saddle 2
-fitted very nicely for a while, but then we felt she wasn't moving very freely and was getting a bit stuffy especially in canter. It also made people sit like they were in an arm chair.

Saddle 3
- Beautiful saddle! (Cost a fortune!) I thought it was going to solve all our problems, but Jo really started going backwards.

In between all these saddles we also had her back checked.

One day, Jo just refused point blank to move; she stood in the middle of the school with me kicking and smacking her and my friend walking in front but she wouldn’t move. That’s when I decided enough was enough.

Another friend had just bought a Solution Saddle so I tried it. What a difference it made! Jo was thinking forward and going10 times better than she had in any of the treed saddles.

My daughter Janie refused to ride her in anything but my friend’s Solution Saddle, so I bought one.

Since then Jo has being getting better and better. She will always be a mareish little madam but she is working so much better and is now a pleasure to school

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!”

We were out for a lesson yesterday and we got on just fine with it.

Thank you again. If I ever need more advice or equipment I shall certainly turn to your firm first in the future.
Sheila Wright

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.

All fitted well until she started to move, her large shoulders pushed against the tree making the back of the saddle swing side to side causing patches of hair loss.

Her stride was short, she wasn’t straight and we went around with her head in the air. She had obvious muscle wastage. I was starting to think that due to her confirmation we wouldn’t find a saddle to fit.

I first came across The Solution whilst training at Ingestre stables, Staffordshire. I rode a horse in the Energist and thought it may be worth a try for Mavis. I had a test ride, decided on the Jumper, and have never looked back.

Mavis is much more relaxed, has a huge trot and I don’t have to correct her straightness. Her outline is much improved as well.

I now have a much happier horse and would ride in nothing else.”

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!

So I knew her history and I knew she had no issues or hang ups. Great - just what I wanted and I couldn't wait to start with her. Then the problems and my worst nightmare of potentially ruining this wonderful little horse began. I needed a saddle.

Should be simple, I thought. Horse is symmetrical as possible, nice and round and had no signs of the damage a badly fitting saddle can do so I was starting with a clean slate.

I knew nothing of Solution Saddles at this time but I really wish I had, because despite my best efforts, Georgia still ended up suffering.

It was a nightmare to find any saddle due to Georgia being a very wide fit, but I eventually found a new GP saddle which seemed at the time to fit us both well.

Not long after fitting my new saddle, it was slipping to one side and my old back injury flared up.
After many sessions of physio, I wasn't getting any better and Georgia had gone from pleasant and perfect to grumpy and flawed.

I had the equine physio out and she diagnosed Georgia with a very sore back and when she asked to look at my saddle, she felt that the panels were out of line. After a few attempts with the manufacturer they finally admitted that the saddle was indeed out of line.

I had tried all in my power to prevent my beautiful little horse from going through this but despite my efforts she still had.

I started to search the internet and came across Solution Saddles. Although I didn't fully understand the concept I thought I had nothing to lose now so I gave them a try.

Anne came out, explained how the saddle worked and spent a lot of time studying me and the horse. She noted straight away that I ride heavy in the right stirrup. She put a shim under the saddle and what a revelation! I now sat straight and - another surprise - my horse went straight. I needed no more proof and 5 days later I picked up my new Energist saddle.

Since then, I have changed to the Jumper and Georgia continues to go from strength to strength.
The after sales service on my saddle has been brilliant and in January this year Amanda came out to check the fit and was also very helpful.

I can not thank you enough and can honestly say that if it wasn't for Solution Saddles, Georgia would probably have been sold on as not the right horse and I may well have given up riding by now due to my back injury.

My Solution saddle is comfortable both for me and my perfect horse Georgia.

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.

I recently won the local 2ft 6 jumping competition using this fantastic saddle, which helps me attain the correct jumping position and fits Jack really well.

Jack and I have also competed in BHS Trec competitions and came second as a pair in a two day, Level II competition. The first day involved riding for about three hours. On the second day we completed a complicated course of 16 obstacles, including ditches, jumps, rein back, bending poles, wooden bridges and canter corridors and I always felt comfortable and secure.

The saddle looks great on Jack and the quality finish is excellent; I would recommend it as a jumping saddle and also a general riding saddle for BHS Trec competitions or just general hacking.

Sandy had become increasingly reluctant to hack out (napping), stopped jumping and got to the point where he would not even go over a trotting pole.

He also did not like to bend right and would nap back onto the left rein during right rein 20 m circles. In the end Sandy would put his ears flat back, hunch his back and refuse point blank to trot.

Looking back, it is all so clear now (what a wonderful thing knowledge and hindsight is).

It all started with a new treed saddle I bought him and his ridden work really went backwards over a 9 month period.

We have been riding in The Solution Saddle for a year now and it has been tough work building up his confidence again - it really did take a battering. We had to teach him to unlearn the ‘bad’ behaviours that he associated with the pain of a badly fitting saddle, (whilst also dealing with normal 6 year old cheeky pony behaviour)!

Progress has been steady, his back feels soft, he doesn’t pin his ears back and he is trotting circles with no problems on both reins. We have even managed walk to canter transitions! He is also back to jumping small fences and trotting poles are a piece of cake again!

This saddle has not slipped in any direction. His old saddle moved up his neck especially during canter and would always slip forwards or backwards on hills out hacking. The Solution Saddle just stays put!
Thank you for the opportunity of buying this saddle over your long term finance plan as it has allowed Sandy P to have the saddle straight away (I am but a poor student!) I would also like to thank you on behalf of my bottom and lower back which hasn’t been sore once since riding in The Solution!