Maximizing Performance
Maximizing the performance and weight distributing abilities of your Sensation Ride™ saddle.
Sensation Ride ™ Saddles are completely tree-free with no rigid components. The supportive cantle and swell / pommel are hand stuffed to allow the saddle to conform to the rider and equine with use.
Our saddles feature a system of weight distribution known as the MPD (multi-point distribution) which employs a movable stirrup base under the rider’s legs, as well as a stirrup leather attachment at the lowest point of the saddle. This lower attachment is known as the ISA (Internal Stirrup Attachment). This system of weight distribution is unique to our saddles and sets the Sensation Ride™ Saddles apart from other treeless saddles. 
The girth rigging and the ISA are intertwined and secured from side to side on the saddle. This assembly is then unified through the stitching of the saddle, creating a consolidated tension along the length and width of the saddle from swell or pommel to the cantle.
As the rider places weight in the stirrups of a Sensation Ride™ Saddle, their load is borne over the maximum surface area of the saddle. When the stirrups or the ISA are not used to help bear the rider's weight while riding, the saddle is not able to provide the best performance - due to the rider’s weight being concentrated in one location - similar to riding without a saddle.
The efficiency of our MPD system has been tested and documented.
Truly treeless saddles (without any rigid or semi-rigid components) tend to maintain a constant contact on the equine, whereas a saddle with a rigid or semi-rigid tree or tree components will have periods of intermittent contact as the equine bends and flexes. The constant, pliable contact is stabilizing and beneficial for muscle development but also tends to trap heat on the equine's back.
Heat and moisture dissipation, along with dynamic weight distribution & freedom of movement are key to keeping the horse's back healthy and happy. Accordingly; dynamic weight distribution is also an excellent way for the riders to remain strong, balanced and in tune with the equine.
When conditions are not optimal for the equine, you may see white hair "roaning" which is a factor of heat, moisture and steady contact causing follicular damage to the hair. Sweat patterns are a very inaccurate method of determining saddle fit, but persistent dry areas indicate that air flow needs to improve and contact needs to be less constant. In most cases a change in cushioning materials on saddle pad or fabric on the bottom of pad will effect a change.
Solid white patches of hair showing on equines are normally only present when a solid tree is causing unrelenting, extreme pressure resulting in substantial damage to the hair follicles and underlying tissues. This issue is much more concerning that white hair roaning.
It is not uncommon for the appearance of white hairs to be delayed. Sometimes, they will not show until shed-out begins. If you are transitioning from an ill-fitting saddle to treeless and white hairs appear after a few months, this does not always indicate improper fit from the treeless saddle. These hairs could be a result of the previous saddle with improper fit and a delayed response.
The following guideline will help to maximize your saddles performance.
This guideline applies to all saddles, but especially the Sensation Ride ™ treeless saddle.
Best performance and longevity:
- Use stirrups to help share rider load - ride dynamically
- Keep saddle pad clean
- Use a mounting block to mount
- Mount on both sides of horse - for you and your equine's chiropractic health
- Saddle pad materials should have air pass through easily
- Saddle and pad contours should match equine contours
- Condition saddle leather only when needed
- Ensure saddle permits comfort for rider and allows correct alignment
- Aligning stirrup leather for a balanced riding "feel"
- If riding long distances, keeping an additional pad on hand for moisture control
- Maintain your saddle with new panels/pad foams and re-stuffing as required
- Keep your saddle on a shaped stand in a balanced position
- Lift seat topper and inspect cantle and stirrup base for balance and soundness every season. (at least)
Negative impact on performance and longevity:
- Sitting in one spot and bearing rider weight only on buttocks
- Allowing saddle pad to become encrusted with salt/sweat/dirt
- Mounting from the ground consistently.
- Only mounting on one side.
- Using saddle pad materials block air flow
- Saddle or saddle pad being too flat or too curved to match equine - causing pressure on spine.
- Over conditioning leather to a point where is gets stretchy or greasy.
- Having to reach too far for stirrup leathers or having too small or large of seat
- Setting your stirrup leathers to conform to other's suggestions
- Using a saddle pad until it wears out
- Allowing saddle or pad to "pack down", affecting your equine's comfort
- Buying second hand without knowing the background of the saddle fully
- Storing saddle crookedly, on a narrow rack or stored "open" and flat
- Allowing cantle to become "squished" or stirrup base to move off center