Technical Details and Philosophy

Designed from Understanding

"These wonderful saddles are the Ferrari of the saddle world! The height of quality, design and innovation, they are supremely comfortable to ride in – for both horse and rider!"


From years of studying the bio-mechanics of the ridden horse, we realised that the saddles used for international equestrian competitions are usually derivatives of the English hunting saddle, a very old design going back to the 18th century.
To modify this further would have meant repeating the mistakes of our competitors and ending up with same sort of compromise.

 
We needed to start from the beginning which meant reconsidering the tree on which the saddle is built. The whole demeanour and attitude of a horse will often change when muscles that were frequently compromised become free of restriction and pressure from an uncomfortable saddle.

To tree or not to tree? That is the question.

At first it seemed a good idea to make a tree-less saddle. However, building a saddle that would be acceptable in competition would be difficult if not impossible due to the need for a frame on which we could fix the flaps and seat.
Treeless would also mean increasing the risk of the girth straps and stirrup leathers causing concentrated pressure, particularly if the rider posts at the trot for prolonged periods.

Moving panel concept?

The horse’s back changes shape with every stride and we needed to preserve even panel contact as far as possible.
We investigated the moving panel concept but found that it raised the rider’s centre of gravity too much and masked the riders subtle seat aids. There was also a problem with increased pressure on flat backed horses with these over large panels interfering with the rider’s thigh contact. Why make a saddle within a saddle? There was also an unacceptable rise in unsprung weight. Weight matters!

 

Architects and Engineers specifications for Strada Dressage, Endurance and Jumping saddles:

Our Saddles

In all our saddles we have paid careful attention to the rider's position and seat comfort. The distance between a rider’s seat bones can vary tremendously from person to person and therefore will affect the part of the seat on which the rider chooses to sit. As we believe that the best place to sit is around thoracic vertebra 14 we have designed a seat that encourages the rider to sit in the correct place regardless of their size! Suffice to say that the seat size we have designed fits all our customers.

 

All our saddles feature the unique Strada active tree and our very successful heat, pressure and humidity intelligent panels: the longer you ride the more comfortable they become. The panels themselves are shaped and moulded during a unique manufacturing process utilising a very high density, light weight, visco- elastic foam. They are covered with an extremely durable, matt black membrane to ensure rapid heat exchange. Once at body temperature the material takes on the consistency of firm flesh and unlike wool flocked panels there are no lumps or bumps.; they are also maintenance free!
Many saddle manufacturers create the illusion of a wide gullet by setting the panels so far apart that they are no longer fully under the tree. This leaves the tree partially unsupported causing concentrated pressure on the edge only. Unless the panels support the tree entirely they are merely an illusion of weight bearing and therefore a sales gimmick! We have discovered that the rails of the tree have to run parallel to the horse’s spine and must be fully supported by the panels. There is also a limit to the distance between the rails of about three inches, if the rider is to maintain relaxation of seat and legs! Distance between the rider’s seat bones (adult) can vary from approximately 3 to 7 inches. This variable distance must be supported by the tree to ensure rider comfort and effective seat aids.

We do not believe in “throw away” technology.

Occasionally we make minor improvements to the design of our saddles and built into this design is the facility to upgrade if our customers consider it desirable so you do not have to buy a new saddle to get the latest model; the cost is low to the original purchaser

Complimentary Products

Using the understanding we have gained in the development of our saddles, we have produced a range of numnahs, girths, bridles and stirrup leathers that incorporate much of the same technology and philosophy. Our aim has always been to help the horse and rider work more closely together without discomfort or restriction. Maintaining the link between ourselves, and our customers is also very important to us and we do this by distributing our products through the recommendation of selected professional riders and trainers.

To find out about viewing or purchasing a particular product please contact us:
CONTACT STRADA SADDLES

UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS

The Strada Dressage Saddle - Product tested by CHN's(Central Horse News) Editor, Barbara Gadd

It was pure chance that I discovered this saddle. Whilst reading a copy of ‘The Horse’s Muscles in Motion’ by Sara Wyche, mention was made of “a dressage rider who encountered problems finding a satisfactory saddle.” Using his engineering background, he was “able to design a uniquely flexible saddle-tree that eliminated many of the pitfalls associated with conventional design.”
Intrigued, I managed to make contact with Sara via the book’s publishers, and was referred to David Bowler, who designed the Strada saddle in association with Michela Ling, a saddler from Wiltshire.

I was at my wits end by the time David brought me a test saddle to try; my mare had an old injury but after extensive osteopathic treatment and remedial work, was going very well bareback but objected to a greater or lesser degree to most saddles I tried her in. Once fitted with the Strada, she stood still to be mounted (a good sign....), did not put her back up for the first few strides which she has been known to do if not happy with a saddle, and walked up the hill to the paddock very freely. Once in the field, I worked her in walk, trot and canter on both reins, and she felt happy, obliging and free from tension and spookiness (unusual for her...). The saddle shape and stirrup positioning also made it much easier than usual to maintain my own balance.

I was very surprised and pleased with how my mare reacted to the Strada initially, and how she continues to work in it.

As well as its flexible tree; the Strada has panels made from a remarkable thermoreactive material which becomes soft to the consistency of flesh when it heats on the horse’s back. This means no lumps and bumps - it moulds to the horse completely.

from
http://www.gasconyholidays.info/index.htm
Marace and Michel Dareau and their daughters Camille and Gabrielle welcome you to our family run business at Pécoyne. We came to the Gers from near Edinburgh

All the horses are ridden in Strada saddles. (www.dressage-saddles-uk.com). These wonderful saddles are the Ferrari of the saddle world! The height of quality, design and innovation, they are supremely comfortable to ride in – for both horse and rider!

from
alison.mann@cwctv.net

minkymoo, have you looked at the STRADA Countryman jumping saddle? I find it v stable, and it's comfortable for T with having a flexible tree and hd-foam pannels.
It stays well behind the shoulders on my horse who is also a bit croup high with forward girth groove.
It's actually a bit wierd seeing hollows in front of me when his scapular moves forward - all my other saddles have sat further forward against the scapular, obscuring(and obstructing!) this. Ihave the "iberian" style tree.

from
http://www.r.chamberlin.btinternet.co.uk/horse_cafe

Many things are claimed about saddles but here is one that has been so well designed that I now use one. Ten years of intensive research, testing and development now allows everyone to own a high tech piece of sports equipment suitable for horse and rider.


[RC] I need a saddle that puts me in the "sweet spot"!
Kristi Schaaf
Mon, 29 Apr 2002 17:21:06 -0700

I'd like to know which saddles put the rider in that sweet spot notch right behind the horse's withers (picture where you sit while riding bareback). I've been trying to find an english saddle that does that, but every one I've tried sits me farther back and interrupts that perfect 'in synch' feeling (and also makes being legs under difficult). I find myself trying to perch on the pommel, but that makes my uh, privates, very unhappy. If I remember correctly, my Sharon Saare put me in that nice spot, but my horse doesn't like those wooden trees. And my lower back doesn't like the sport saddle. Any other suggestions?
Here we go once again on the great saddle search...Kristi

=====

Re: [RC] I need a saddle that puts me in the "sweet spot"!
Ridecamp Guest
Mon, 29 Apr 2002 20:55:11 -0700

Liz
After trying quite a few saddles, I found what you are looking for in the Strada
saddles from the UK. Rode Tevis in the endurance model last year and it was the most
comfortable saddle ever. Their website is: http://www.dressage-saddles-uk.com

Hope this helps in the seemingly never-ending saddle search!!!

 

From

http://www.horsetackreview.com/review-display/4588.html

 

Strada Saddles
St Christopher Endurance Saddle
Close Contact Saddles

Manufacturer: Strada Saddles
Model: St Christopher Endurance Saddle
Category: Close Contact Saddles

Purchase: The Strada Saddle was purchased from Strada Saddles in England. I read through their technical data page and was fascinated by the thoughtful combination of technical engineering as well as common sense in the design of their saddles. The saddle lists for $2,999 (USD) and they currently are offering free shipping in the US (a limited time special).

Likes: The saddle sits around my horse, not on him. The drape of my legs around the saddle is super comfortable. The positioning of the rider on the horse is definitely enhanced by the saddle. I found it easier to maintain a balanced, centered seat. My horse moved beautifully in the saddle (it sits behind the scapula) and he seemed to be comfortable. The tree and panels flex with the horse as it moves. The panels are directly under the tree rails so there is excellent weight distribution and support of the rider on the horse's back.

Dislikes: I really haven't found anything I don't like about the Strada. It is not a deep seat saddle so if that's what you're looking for, this is probably not the saddle for you. A good rider would fall in love with this saddle. It puts you in the correct position and your riding ability is enhanced by the saddle.

Quality: The leather is beautiful and high quality, and the construction is impeccable. My saddle is a havana brown, but they also make black and dark brown. The saddle is lightweight (only about 12 pounds). Strada also makes a girth that is well padded and my horse seems to be completely comfortable in it. Their stirrup leathers are leather but don't stretch or twist.

Summary: The bottom line is this is a very high quality saddle. With its knowledgeable, thoughtful design and high quality of construction, the Strada's price is very reasonable.

Rating: 5

Author: Susan Favro

Date: 2007-01-22