Following studies performed in conjunction with Educational establishments, the charity claims they have evidence that brings to light previously unidentified areas and measureable characteristics of saddle performance. The tests measured the effect of rider asymmetry using a variety of systems. It became apparent that it is not only rider asymmetry that was resulting in the more complex pattern of interaction. Most of us are aware that we sit either to the right or left, and this often results in a loss of symmetry in the rider in the vertical plane. Further research was done into this and the effect the saddle had on rider posture.
A lack of symetry also exists in the horse in the horizontal plane.. The movement of the horse's back and limbs creates movement in the saddle, generating an unstable platform for the rider, forcing them to compensate, accentuating the alreasy asymmetrical posture. The horse also then compensates for carrying the asymmetrical rider by counterbalancing. This is then far more complex a situation than it would seem. It involves the asymmetries between the three (saddle, horse and rider) mediums but more significantly, the interraction between them.
Studies show that there is a clear lack of syncronisation between this three way interaction and it is the degree to which this occurs that is greatly effected by the saddle design and fit.
More information to be released on this when the full studies are released later in the year.
