"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:
The
tree must flex as much as possible to
keep the panels in touch with the horse’s
back.
The tree must have no metal components,
apart from the stirrup bar.
It must be light in weight.
It
must not break during normal use.
It
must not be stressed by tensioning of
the seat webbing as this causes arch
fracture. We also believe that this
practise causes twisting.
The tree must be accurate and symmetrical.
Most horses and riders are crooked,
particularly at the beginning of training,
so the last thing we need is the possibility
of a crooked saddle!
The
tree must be finished with a heat sensitive,
flexible paint to prevent the ingress
of water due to cracking.
Trees
must be horse shaped and manufactured
in types as opposed to sizes.
Using that
understanding and the inspired combination
of the best materials and technology,
both modern and traditional, we have
produced a superb range of saddles to
fit most horses.
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
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.
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!!!
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.
