The first
thing to say, is that BALANCE saddles are very traditional in their structure
and design. Nothing strange about them
and many of you could have ridden in a BALANCE saddle and not even noticed.
BALANCE
saddles can be ‘fitted’ conventionally by SMS trained saddle fitters who just
want a well-designed saddle for a well-developed Thoroughbred, or other wide
breed of horse. There are plenty of pre-owned
BALANCE saddles in the world now, after 26 years of producing them, that they
are not unusual to see.
The only
feature the rider might be aware of when a BALANCE saddles is fitted conventionally,
is that it could feel wider to sit astride than a conventional saddle in say a Medium
or Medium Wide width, but then that would be the same with any make of saddle
in a wider width.
What I want
to address here, is the difference to the rider, when a BALANCE saddle is used
as part of a Functional Saddling approach, like the BALANCE Saddling System.
Will riders notice anything different?
Functional
Saddling specifically pays attention to the way the saddle has the potential to
interfere with the bio-mechanics of good movement, posture and power. The principles aim to mitigate (minimise) any
negative influence to keep the saddle ‘out of the way’, while still providing
the rider with enough comfort and support to be effective and balanced in their
riding.
In order to
keep the saddle ‘out of the way’ of the horse it has to have the combination of
design features found in BALANCE saddles and more information about this can be
found here.
In addition
to horse friendly design, the most important feature and the thing that makes the
BALANCE approach so radically different and so effective, is the way that they
are ‘fitted’ and used by the rider.
For a saddle to allow the horse to
use his body as nature intended and stay healthy and comfortable, it must not
fit (match) the shape of his body when he is standing at rest!
This is because
the shape he is at rest is not the same shape he is during movement. Or, at
least it shouldn’t be. At rest, his frame
drops into a relaxed state.
Horse at rest with back dropped into neutral posture.
Mechanics of movement (exaggerated to emphasise)
The diagrams above are courtesy of Anthony and Keren Morris.
When he starts to move, the mechanics of natural movement include a rotation of the pelvis that pulls his spine back and up throughout its length. This change results in measurable increase in the width of his back in the saddle area.
This widening of the back under the
saddle, is such a fundamental part of good movement that it must be respected
and protected with great care.
In order for
the saddle to allow for this, it must be wider than the horse’s back/body shape
and never locked down into the soft tissues of the back.
The Layered
and adjustable padding system that BALANCE created to allow a saddle to stay safe
and comfortable whether the horse is standing or moving.
Many riders
have only ever experienced the way horses move when they have had some of their
natural movement dis-abled.
They are
used to the saddle being tight enough to disguise any crookedness in their own
riding, because even if they are very unbalanced, the saddle will stay in place
and the horse will learn to adapt.
Changing into
a BALANCE saddle that is used correctly in a Functional Saddling method,
requires that the rider takes responsibility for their own balance,
co-ordination and skills.
The saddle will not cover poor riding ability/technique, instead, it will expose the truth of whether the rider is helping the horse to move well, or getting in the horses way.
For this reason, riders who are willing to commit to their horse by using the BALANCE Saddling System, are on a path of continued learning and improvement of their skills, which is a win-win situation if ever there was one!
Riders do not need to be experienced to ride well in a BALANCE saddle. There are Riding Schools that work with beginner adults and Therapy Centres that work with dis-abled riders who are using BALANCE saddles to protect their horses and ponies. So, they are not difficult to ride in.
The people
who might need time to adjust are those who have only ever ridden in narrow
saddles that have been made with little reference to the horse’s needs but a
lot of reference to the rider’s preferences.
However, when they are willing to give themselves time to get used to a different
feel, they find it hard to go back to narrow saddles.
For more information about Riding in BALANCE saddles, please go to the FAQ area of the site where you will find information about the following topics and many more.
Paying attention to the correct Stirrup Length in a BALANCE saddle.
Allowing time for the horse and rider to re-learn good movement.
How can I improve my balance and co-ordination when riding?
Client testimonials
I can’t tell you how much I love my Zenith!!! I went through 10 saddles in 6 years for my horse before I got my Zenith. Two were “custom” made for him. What a joke. I am on my 5th year with my Zenith and it is still perfect!!! I cringe now when I see these very deep Dressage saddles with the huge thigh blocks. People ask me how I can ride in my Zenith with no thigh blocks and no deep seat. I say well now my horse is balanced and I don’t have to depend on the saddle to hold me. ☺️
Melinda - United States
What can I say? I love it! The saddle and all of the accessories are great quality and look good but most importantly my horse is so comfortable that her stride has almost doubled, she glides round corners and works on the bridle with ease. What a difference!
Donna - Scotland
It has been almost a year since I received my Zenith
Saddle and I cannot tell you how happy I am with it. I went through 10 saddles
trying to find the right one. He would rear as I was saddling him or move away
from me.
Now he happily munches
his hay as I saddle him. He has had no more issues under saddle except
for his lack of strength but I see that improving all the time. I wish I had
discovered this 10 years ago.
Many thanks!
Melinda - United States
You simply blow me away with the care and attention you give me, a single client! WOW! I am so excited to be buying a balance Saddle and just thrilled to be supporting such an awesome company!
Sally - England
The BALANCE saddle started us on the road to recovery.
I can’t thank enough Carol Brett and the whole BALANCE team who have not only
worked hard to find the right saddle solution (the Matrix GPD proved best for
us) but have provided support throughout the whole process of getting
myself and Alfie back on the right track.
Mags and Alfie - England
About
Being able to move in a powerful, balanced and engaged way, without restriction or discomfort, is every horse’s birth-right and essential in order for him to be able to carry the unnatural weight of a rider, without doing harm to himself.