This is his latest version this year. Electromagnetic tree. What? Results look amazing on his videos. I am stalking used older ones to see if i can have a new tree put in. What are your experiences with this saddle?
First time poster, long time lurker.
I’m a rising senior in mechanical engineering at VT and I first heard about the technology last spring. I called Tad and he invited me down to the work shop to see the technology for myself. After seeing what the tree was doing to the horses, I was intrigued but also pretty sure there was some sort of magic trick happening. I definitely didn’t start out as a believer. I ended up spending my summer with him (unpaid) researching the technology and how it was affecting horses. I’ve seen it do some pretty incredible things to a lot of horses. If it is some sort of magic trick, I have yet to find the trick. At the risk of this sounding like an ad, the SmartRide Rx tree really is all that.
If you want to hear more about my experiences, feel free to pm me.
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I wanted one so badly but settled with a Stubben Zaria because I found one that was too much of a deal to pass up.
I will say that when I worked at Dover… there were almost never Tad Coffin returns… I think that says something…
I can’t wait to see what else TC does. People love their saddles, horses love their saddles…
It sounds crazy, but the videos do seem to show results. Would love more information on the science behind this, but from the TC website it doesn’t look like they know why it works, either.
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Anyone ridden in their dressage saddle?
I love Penn and Teller. Their show “Fool Us” is wonderful entertainment. But I know that there is no such thing as “magic” and everything I’m seeing is a trick. Sometimes they even show how the trick is done.
The web site for this product didn’t offer any detailed explanation of the process (at least I could not find it in a quick visit). I know that TENS units work and that EMR can alter tissue (like rendering people sterile). But the only electromagnetic device that I KNOW alters human tissue on a reliable basis is an MRI machine. I’ve had one MRI; it was not my favorite experience (it was sort of like being buried alive). And it was ONE, HONKING-BIG MAGNET.
So I’ll need some proof of efficacy beyond testimonials and videos of unknown provenance before I’d spend money on such a system.
As with all things, YMMV.
G.
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It looked interesting. I like all purpose saddles for trail riding and he doesn’t make those so smith-worthington has no fears of loosing me as a customer. One thing I did wonder was, if it worked so well on the horses back how about some of the EM for the rider’s knees and hips. Now that would be cool.
Swally- I was around for the research and development of the A5. My friend Susan is the one who helped him with the CAD design. Very interesting. The saddles are pretty amazing, but back inthe beginning, they were not as well suited for the high withered horse. Would love to find a small used dressage saddle for my “interesting” mare.
I really want to like Tad’s saddles. I spoke with him when I was shopping for my “interesting” horse. I decided not to get a trial shipped to me from him. (this was for the previous iteration of the SmartRide tree). I wound up trying the Tad tree in the Voltaire Blue Wing last summer, and I could not even get a working walk out of my horse. He hated that saddle so much, although it appeared to be a pretty good shape for him where I have the hardest time fitting near the base of the withers. I’d be interested in trying out the technology behind the new tree given my horse’s back issues, but I’m afraid he just doesn’t like the shape of the SmartRide tree. If there’s any horse who will show his opinion about any EM stuff, it’s my horse. He is one who even visibly/behaviorally responds to cold laser application, which you really shouldn’t be able to “feel”.
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Nothing to add about the technology - but did anyone notice the photo of the dressage saddle on his site? It is sitting about 1.5 inches higher in front than in back. Not a great fit on that horse and (to my eye at least) not a great sales photo. JMO
I have one but not with the new tree, it’s a couple of years old, I bought used. I quite like it as does my horse. Probably not a saddle for someone wanting a deep seat and big blocks, the seat Is fairly open and flatter, which suits me fine.
