THE SCIENCE BEHIND AIR...
All Sue Carson Saddles are fitted with the air flocking in the panels of your saddle.
The air flocking system comprises of a set of four individual air bags designed to replace the flocking in conventional saddles, to provide a soft, flexible and even bearing surface without pressure points.
Air gives your saddle a constant flexible layer which acts as a shock absorber in your saddles panel. Using air flocked panels increases the sensitivity to aids from your lower back and seat. By removing any saddle discomfort the horse can clearly focus on your aids.
Designed to maintain performance and structure for years.
Long Lasting
Even weight distribution enhances comfort for both horse and rider across all movements.
Greater Comfort
Easily fine-tuned to accommodate the horse’s changing shape over time.
Adjustable
Built to adapt with your horse over time, our saddles reduce the cost and hassle of frequent upgrades or replacements.
One Investment
The benifits of using air...
For Your Horse,
Engineered for ultimate comfort and freedom of movement:
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Removes pressure points, distributing your weight evenly across the back.
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Expands the bearing surface for a more balanced, supportive fit.
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Flexes and molds naturally with your horse’s back and shoulder as muscles engage and release.
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Absorbs impact shock, protecting your horse’s back and allowing freer, more fluid movement.
For the Rider
Designed to enhance connection, feel, and long-term comfort:
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Delivers a closer, more responsive ride through increased sensitivity of the seat and lower back.
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Offers easy adjustability, accommodating your horse’s changing shape through seasons, workload, or recovery.
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Reduces rider fatigue and back strain by cushioning against jarring shock, ensuring comfort stride after stride.
Traditional saddles often create hardness and uneven pressure within the panel. Over time, conventional flocking materials such as wool or foam become compacted and uneven. This leads to high pressure points in some areas and gaps where the panel no longer makes full contact with the horse’s back.
Even a pressure as light as 1.5 lbs per square inch can, over time, restrict blood flow in the skin and muscle, resulting in bruising, hair loss, and eventually muscle wastage.
Pressure or pinching around the withers directly impacts the shoulder muscles, causing a shortened stride and making it more difficult for the horse to move, and often appearing more downhill. Likewise, soreness or restriction through the back can prevent the horse from engaging the hindquarters and working correctly over the topline.
Our Air Flocking System eliminates these issues by creating a flexible, gaseous layer within the saddle panel. This evenly distributes weight, removes pressure points, and enhances the horse’s sensitivity to the rider’s lower back and seat aids.
Because air is compressible, unlike gels, foams, or liquids, it also provides superior shock absorption, cushioning both horse and rider through every stride whether jumping, schooling, or sitting trot.
The result is a saddle that allows your horse to move freely and naturally, with unrestricted shoulder and back movement for peak performance and comfort.
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Talk to us...
If you have a specific question or any other queries regarding the fitting of your saddle and what we can do for you..... please feel free to get in touch!!
SUE CARSON SADDLES & RESEARCH
At Sue Carson Saddles, we are continually refining our designs to enhance comfort, balance, and performance for both horse and rider.
Sue Carson and her team work closely with the Saddle Research Trust, leading veterinary professionals such as Dr. Sue Dyson, as well as physiotherapists and equine biomechanics experts. Together, they explore how saddle design influences movement, muscle development, and overall performance.
Sue has conducted her own research projects and has also collaborated on independent studies led by other industry specialists.
Some of these papers and findings are available for download below, offering valuable insight into the science behind saddle fit and design.
Sue is always happy to discuss her research and the practical applications of her findings, sharing her knowledge with riders, fitters, and professionals who care as deeply about equine welfare as she does.
