Dr. Clayton’s manuscript draws on research and statistics gathered during an EQ Flapless Saddle testing session at the Animal Rehab Institute outside Wellington, Florida, and proves conclusively that among the many benefits of this remarkable patented saddle, riders are more stable, especially when sitting the extended trot. Horses are relaxed and energetic, straight, and “through”, with immediate response to the lightest aid.
Methods
On testing day in March of 2016, an international group assembled in Florida to test the EQ Flapless Saddle against the horse’s usual saddles. The horses were primarily upper level dressage horses wearing top-brand custom-fitted saddles. The research team gathered a great deal of data, primarily through a Novell Pliance pressure measuring pad that was placed on the horses’ backs, underneath their saddles. The team also measured the horses’ heart rates via Holter monitors, and their stride length via meter markers and slow motion photography. Differences between the conventional and flapless saddles were validated using statistical analysis.
Immediately, it was clear that the rider’s Center of Pressure (COP), which measures the stability of the rider in the saddle, was significantly improved for riders in the EQ Flapless Saddle. Dr. Hilary Clayton said, “Compared with the conventional saddle, the flapless saddle was associated with significant improvement in the rider’s side-to-side stability in all gaits, and significant improvement in front-to-back stability in extended trot and collected canter.” Dr. Clayton is the author of the first research paper to be published drawing on this data. Further research and publication is expected on two additional hypotheses which are suggested by the initial data sets: 1. Horses have lower heart rates under our EQFlex panel system than under conventional saddles, and 2. There are no significant points of pressure associated with the shock absorber sites.
Results
Meet Dr. Hilary Clayton
One of the most renowned equine research scientists in the world, Dr. Clayton is a veterinarian and horsewoman as well. For more than 40 years she has performed innovative research in the areas of equine biomechanics, conditioning programs for equine athletes and the effects of tack and equipment on the horse and rider, and is the author of seven books and over 250 scientific articles on these topics. She is a charter diplomate and past president of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicne and Rehabilitation, an Honorary Fellow of the International Society for Equitation Science, and has been inducted into the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame, the Midwest Dressage Association Hall of Fame, and the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame. A lifelong rider, Dr. Clayton has competed in many equestrian sports, currently focusing on dressage, in which she has brought several horses to the Grand Prix level.
A few months after the research project, Dr. Clayton tested the EQ Flapless Dressage Saddle on her own Lusitano gelding, “Donzi MC”, and liked it enough to choose to show in it, beginning with the 2017 show season. They achieved extremely good results, earning Lusitano Horse of the Year at both 1st and 2nd levels/Adult Amateur Division in 2017, repeated at 3rd level in 2018, and are now out at Prix St. Georges in the 2020/2021 season.