Joni Bentley saddles

[Lillie]

Does anyone have one of these? They look intriguing on her website, but I've not been able to find any reviews of them.

Also, Mike, I posted my HM thorowgood for sale here, but the thread has disappeared. Did I do something wrong? Sorry...

[Mike]

Hi Lillie

Generally it's better to put items for sale in our proper classifieds system, I didn't remove it myself though one of the other moderators may have done.

[Noblesteed]

I went to a workshop run by Joni at the weekend. It was mainly to help me with position but also to see one of Joni's saddles. I had a really good day and got to see both dressage and GP saddles. They are fabulous, really well made and a great design for the horse and rider. They have a really wide gullet and wide soft prolite pads, and are adjustable to take account of changes in shape. The seat is very deep and secure and really places you firmly in the centre, sitting 'in' the saddle rather than 'on' it. I was able to develop a better position with Joni's Alexander technique exercises, using one of her saddles on a saddle horse. We then went on to apply the exercises to our ridden work. Joni lent me one of her saddles to do the ridden work and Ben went really well despite being at a strange yard and in terrible weather conditions. Needless to say I have ordered a saddle and am booking on to another workshop!!!

[Sue Carnell]

I think they're similar to Heather's saddle design, but I can't be sure. I know Joni is a friend of Heather's, I've met her a few times when she's been down here to visit.

Sue Carnell
sue@eclipse.co.uk

[jonibentley]

Hi every, one Mike has just posted my work on new riders website. If you are interested in finding out more about my saddles go to my web site www.bentleyequestrian.co.uk where you can read more about the philosophy behind my saddle construction. The main reason I got into saddles, is because I couldn’t find one that was ergonomic for the rider and horse. About six years ago, I was recommending Balance saddles for my students, because they were the only ones on the market, at that time, wide enough for the horse. Unfortunately, students were complaining about them being too wide and giving them back and hip pain. Desperate to solve this issue, I went to see balance’s saddle John Hamilton. He is unique and innovative with 30 years experience behind him and many awards. I worked on design with him and tried out the saddles for two years before putting them on the market. I wanted a saddle that was wide enough for the horse while working with his back up .As an Alexander teacher I also wanted a saddle that would support the rider’s back and position equally. The better the rider is balanced the better the horse can carry them. I wanted a seat that would support the rider’s pelvis in an upright position so that the weight their weight would rest vertically down into the deepest lowest part of the seat bones where it should be. Many saddles put the rider in the wrong position leaving them to spend their life fighting the saddle design, such a waste of time. I made sure the stirrup bars were placed directly under the rider’s thighs, because all too often the stirrup bar is placed too far forward making the rider constantly pull their legs back, only to be worked forward again by the stirrup bar placement. I think the most important and unique design is the patented prolite and adjustable tree. I personally fit and balance the saddle to align the rider’s spine with the alignment with the horse’s spine will in motion No more backache for either! This requires the biomechanical expertise of an Alexander teacher and horse trainer. I hope that helps. Warm regards Joni

[Lillie]

I'm sold. :) Will be ordering mine as soon as I get the $$$ together.