HISTORY

Like so many developments, the Equisensomotoric® Pad began with the love for horses. After what felt like an eternal search for a saddle system that would not leave pressure points on her horses, horse trainer Johanna Thanheiser finally took action herself. She started testing different types of saddles and materials in terms of their pressure distribution. 200 pressure point measurements and several self-made prototypes later, she had achieved her goal: perfect pressure distribution! Two things were necessary for this: a saddle tree that suited the horse and a customized pad with a layered structure – the Equisensomotoric® Pad was born! Originally developed just for their own horses, more and more riders eventually wanted an Equisensomotoric® pad. Saddler Susanne Heil has been lovingly handcrafting the Equisensomotoric® pad with her tried-and-tested blanket cut to the highest quality since 2023.

Effect

How and why the Equisensomotoric® Pad affects the horse

SHOCK ABSORBING

The measurable comparison

Using a pressure-sensitive gel mat, the pressure distribution can be precisely measured if used correctly.

Badly fitting saddle tree

Pressure peak measurement shows strong pressure peaks – the panel angle of the saddle tree does not match the horse’s back and digs deep along the longitudinal edge and in the lumbar area.
The pressure peaks acting on the red gel have the same effect on the connective tissue of the horse’s back.

Correct saddle tree

The pressure peak measurement shows an even pressure distribution – the saddle tree fits the horse’s back. However, the saddle pad lacks the important shock-absorbing effect: the entire shape of the saddle panels is formed by pressure from the edges.

Correct saddle tree with Equisensomotoric® pad

The pressure peak measurement shows perfect pressure distribution and shock absorption of the rider’s weight: the sensitive gel mat remains completely unchanged after riding with an adapted Equisensomotoric® pad.

PRESSURE EQUALIZING

The visible comparison

The pressure pattern in the tissue of the horse’s back after riding gives a clear picture of how the respective saddle affects the horse. The highly shock-absorbing and pressure-relieving properties of the Equisensomotoric® Pad are a blessing for every horse’s back.

Before

The cushion edges parallel to the spine, where the muscles could not work due to pressure peaks, are clearly visible. The area behind the shoulder, where saddles often fall into, is also heavily sunken.

Afterwards

with matching tree + Equisensomotoric® pad

Thanks to the pressure-relieving, shock-absorbing effect and the orthopaedic compensation of atrophies in the pad, the muscles can work optimally – the back appears round and full after work.

SHOULDER LIBERATING

The tangible comparison

Same horse, same rider, same baroque saddle tree. Once without and once with Equisensomotoric® Pad.

Before

with conventional blanket

The (actually very good) saddle ist lifted too little from the shoulder blades by the conventional blanket. The saddle tree and shoulder blade collide with every step. The horse expresses its dissatisfaction through its body language.

Afterwards

with Equisensomotoric® Pad

The Equisensomotoric® Pad lifts the saddle away from the shoulder blades. Thanks to the pressure-relieving structure of the Equisensomotoric® Pad, the saddle now glides smoothly in motion and the shoulder blade meets soft memory foam instead of a hard gullet plate. The horse thanks us with fluid movements.

Freeing the shoulder blade

A common problem for horses is the fact that most saddles fall into the smaller or larger holes behind the shoulder blades.

These holes – depressions in the tissue – have different causes:

  • Due to the natural conformation (overbuilt behind horses, horses with massive shoulders and narrow trunk…)
  • Insufficient training condition
  • Atrophies – i.e. tissue damage due to pressure peaks – caused by unsuitable saddles in the past

In any case, holes in the musculature must be filled via the pad, as otherwise any saddle will slip into this holes and further aggravate the problem by exerting additional pressure in this area.

The saddle collides with the shoulder blade

With every step, the shoulder blade cartilage, which rotates backwards, hits the saddle.

The thrust dynamics of the hindquarters cause a saddle to move slightly back and forth on the horse. If there is a hole in the front area, the saddle falls into this hole. The resulting pressure point prevents muscle development and often increases the damage. In the worst case, the shoulder blade cartilage may even be damaged, but in any case it is an unpleasant situation for the horse.

The Equisensomotoric® Pad can solve the problem

This is where the shoulder blade cartilage, which rotates backwards, now meets soft memory foam.

Relief can only be physically achieved if the height is equalized. Some horses require 5 cm or more of height to effectively lift the saddle away from the shoulders. The special cut of the Equisensomotoric® Pad’s correction pockets enables any necessary height compensation.

Shoulder freedom test

Can you reach between the saddle and shoulder blade with the flat of your hand without your hand being squeezed with every step?

The Equisensomotoric® Pad effectively lifts the saddle away from the shoulders, the rider’s hand has plenty of room – even with deep atrophies, as with this older horse.

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