To understand the rider’s aids properly, horses should not be distracted by discomfort caused by ill-fitting equipment. However, the same applies to the rider. To communicate properly and clearly with the equine partner, the rider must feel comfortable, must be able to focus on the correct aids and may not be bothered with the own incorrect seat. Proper cushioning and balancing of the saddle will facilitate a correct seat, and thus, the work with the horse will become more efficient. On the contrary, it works the same way: the more comfortable the horse feels under the saddle the more enjoyable riding will get.

Horse riding is considered an extreme sport. As such, it requires significant physical and psychological abilities as well as appropriate preparation. It has to be remembered that, when riding, we are exposed to the risk of numerous acute injuries caused by accidents as well as to the increasingly frequent cumulative injuries that result from the long-term influence of the horse’s multi-axis forces on the rider’s body. Another problem is the unnatural, non-physiological posture of the rider during the training. The negative effects of these factors are experienced immediately or after a longer period of time. These factors can have a significant influence on comfort when riding, resulting in long-term back pain of varying intensity, limitation in movement or, in case of prolonged exposure of the spine to highly burdensome forces, the occurrence of pain symptoms.

No strong back - no strong horse

As we all know, no horse was born with a saddle on its back. Therefore, the equipment used by riders should cause as little discomfort as possible to the horse and not disturb its natural physiology. At the same time, any equipment must be easy to use for the riders. Correct riding aims to relax both - horse and rider - as much as possible. Only such harmony, the avoidance of overstressing and discomfort ensure a maximum of efficiency and well-being and thus pleasant training or riding. How can a saddle half pad help?

As a result, the oppressed muscle will gain increased muscle tone, be painful, and, if this situation persists for a long time, it will atrophy. Additionally, due to pain and increased muscle tone, the horse may show a number of behavioural and physical changes. We can face aggression or anxiety during saddling if not "running away from the saddle" or even an irregularity of movement, eventually visible lameness, which could lead to a horse that can no longer be ridden. Often the rider's frustration associated with keeping the horse under the saddle, i.e. the horse is refusing to cooperate, its reluctance to move forward, problems with arching the back or the need for a long phase of stretching before training, are caused by the discomfort associated with the saddle's pressure onto the back. In many cases we can prevent such situations by using corrective and shock-absorbing pads that, when properly selected, will evenly distribute forces and stabilize the saddle on the horse's back. " - Veterinary doctor Anna Jasińska

Back Protect Solution - how it all began...

Initially, the Back Protect Solution Half Pad was supposed to be a solution to problems with the back of our own mare who has been struggling with pain for a long time. Despite the saddle by a renowned brand, specifically adjusted to her shape, visits of physiotherapists and veterinarians and experiments with many of the half pads available on the market, our mare still showed discomfort and pain during work and had problems with proper muscle development. We already had experience and knowledge about the use of modern materials, including those that disperse and absorb energy, so we decided to try it and create a pad that would help her. The positive reaction surpassed our wildest expectations :) Our mare relaxed more easily during work, ceased to be nervous when saddling and her back muscles, which were hard to build up, evolved incredibly quick. When his next visit was due, the physiotherapist could hardly believe it was the same mare! Moreover, all our other horses had undergone positive changes as well! A gelding, showing a cavity in the muscles next to the withers, which was supposed to be his flaw, needed a wider saddle after two months. Another horse who had had a tendency to rush away after the jump calmed down as if by magic. Their transformation inspired us to further testing and we started to think about creating a complete product based on the Back Protect Solution technology. In order to confirm our observations we extended the tests after to a larger number of horses a few months, we also started testing among befriended riders. Our story continued and we got certain feedback several times: “I will never give it back”. Then it was clear: We would establish the Winderen brand as an official company, and offer the Back Protect Solution as a product available for everyone. The many positive comments we receive every day by our satisfied clients, clients acknowledging that the pad helped them riding their horses free of pain, describing their horses as almost „flying” are the evidence that our decision was the right one.

How does the Winderen saddle half pad work?
Why does it have such spectacular effects on horses and their riders?

We would like to show you a video of our laboratory tests on Winderen Back Protect Solution Half Pads, which demonstrates that their efficiency in terms of distribution and energy absorption is much greater than that of conventional solutions such as sheepskin pads or gel pads. See the video and find out how Winderen saddle half pad works.