Independent associates from the worlds of commerce and academia have joined the trust in carrying out scientific research, focusing on the influence of saddles on the welfare, performance and safety of horses and riders. The valuable work will enable the trust to provide an independent information service to both professionals and the horse owning public.

Colin Burgess of leading pressure mapping systems company Tekscan, Lincoln University PhD student and published researcher Debbie Symes, British Equestrian Team physiotherapist and author Amanda Sutton, Nick Godfrey of 3D rapid scanning company Central Scanning and students of the Universities of Wales and Plymouth have all signed up recently to the trust’s Research Associate programme. All bring with them a wealth of knowledge and new technologies, giving the trust access to a wide range of scientific measuring systems, gaining objective data and informing saddle fit and design.

Trust Administrator, Charlotte Berridge, says the trust has already received a great deal of interest in its Research Associate programme and is delighted to welcome the new associates: “All our successful applicants have brought something positive to the trust and are already playing a key role in our ongoing research.”

 The SRT is continuing to invite applications to the Research Associate programme. Interested parties should apply in writing to: research@saddleresearchgroup.co.uk

For further contact details or information about this story please contact: Charlotte Berridge, SRT Administrator. Tel. 01909 720259 or visit www.saddleresearchtrust.co.uk

Fig. 1 (Right) - 3D scanning of saddles is used to assess symmetry – just one of the new technologies available to the SRT