Every saddle I tried pinched her withers, hit her loin, or bridged her back. If I dared ride her in one of these saddles, she'd drop her back and throw her head up in protest. That is until a client turned me on to the Sensation treeless saddle made by Nickers Saddlery in Penticton, BC.

As their slogan claims, it was "Love at first sit!" for me; equally important, it was "Love at first ride!" for my mare. I liked the product so much that I hauled my saddle around to show others who were having difficulties finding a saddle solution that suited both horse and rider. About a year later, I became a dealer for the Sensation saddle.

I've included general information on the Sensation saddles, and specific details about the different models, below. Please feel free to contact me with further questions; if you're in the Lower Mainland or Whatcom County, I can also bring a saddle to you for demonstration.

General information about all models of the Sensation saddles:

Features

• Lightweight - under 12 pounds.
• Y rigging - ending in dressage type billet system.
• Three methods of stirrup attachment – free swinging, hard use and endurance.
• Adjustable seat - bolsters may be added, cantle may be reduced.
• Easily replaced/altered components and cushioning.
• Provides rider with a comfortably narrow twist.
• Natural, breathable materials allow heat to dissipate from horse.
• Shock absorbing construction.
• Permits the horse full freedom of movement through shoulder and loin area.
• Fits horses of most widths
• Close contact feel
• Mates with Sensation accessories or regular tack shop accessories.
• Affordable

Recommendations

• That adequate saddle padding be used, according to discipline and rider/horse requirements. Your saddle pad should have a contoured topline as well as padding on either side of the spine, but not on the spine.
• Breastplates recommended for safety
• Safety stirrups or cages/tapaderos

Limitations: Not recommended for riders over 200 pounds. Not recommended for horses with prominent withers and spines or novice riders who rely on a saddle to remain on a horse.

There are four different Sensation models from which to choose. Standard colours are black, brown and tan, but just about any colour combination is possible!

Sensation Hybrid

The Sensation Hybrid offers the best of both the English and Western saddle worlds. The 13” wide swell of the Hybrid replaces the pommel of the English models. The cantle of the Hybrid is significantly wider and 1” taller than the other English versions. The flap on the Hybrid is available standard as a dressage shaped flap designed for a longer leg position. The Hybrid, having a swell, offers the rider a feeling similar to a Western saddle. The knee roll is average-to-full, with a moveable knee block attached under the knee roll. Rings on the rear and sides of the seat create attachment areas for cantle packs for convenience on the trail. Front rings are for attaching a breastplate and carry handle. This model is best suited to riders who have a short hip to knee length, like a tighter, deeper seat or would like to ride with a longer leg in the dressage arena or on the trail. Available in various choices of smooth to grippy leathers. Hardware choices are stainless steel or solid brass. Standard size on this model would feel like a 15" western or 17" English, with the longer seat option adding approximately 1" in length. OPTIONAL ITEMS: The following additions may be requested at additional charge to customize this saddle: • English Trail shaped flap – more forward flap. • Mega knee blocks – For a greater degree of knee support • Additional rings – Added to front or rear of saddle flap • Seat bolster (pommel) – Added to the seat to create a more distinct rise to the front of the seat • Seat bolster (cantle) – Added to the seat to create a smaller size seat or tighter fit. • Extra long leg – Best for riders over 5’9” • Additional seat – Available on all models. Specify color and texture of leather.

Sensation English Trail

The Sensation English Trail was the original Sensation Ride. The concept behind the design is to provide the rider with a seat which is easy to rise from and adaptable to a short or long leg without obviously leaning to a specific riding style. The seat shape provides the rider with support on the upper thigh, somewhat similar to what an Australian saddle would offer. The knee roll is average, with a moveable knee block attached under the knee roll. Rings on the rear and sides of the seats create attachment areas for cantle packs for convenience on the trail. Front rings are for attaching a breastplate and carry handle. This model is best suited to riders who have a long hip to knee length, like a longer seat or would like to do some jumping. Available in various choices of smooth to grippy leathers. Hardware choices are stainless steel or solid brass. Standard size on this model would feel like a 15.5” Western seat or 17.5” English. OPTIONAL ITEMS: The following additions may be requested at additional charge to customize this saddle: • Mega knee blocks – For a greater degree of knee support • Additional rings – Added to front or rear of saddle flap • Seat bolster (pommel) – Added to the seat to create a more distinct rise to the front of the seat • Seat bolster (cantle) – Added to the seat to create a smaller size seat or tighter fit. • Extra long seat – For riders who like more room to move in the seat. • Extra long leg – Best for riders over 5’9” • Additional seat – Available on all models. Specify color and texture of leather.

Sensation Dressage and Dressage Trail

The Sensation Dressage and Dressage Trail came about to fill the needs of the rider who wishes to have a deeper seat with a greater degree of contact in the knee roll. The flap of both Dressage models is straighter, so as to be ridden with a long leg. As with the English Trail, the seat shape provides the rider with support on the upper thigh, somewhat similar to an Australian saddle. The knee roll is average-to-full, with a moveable knee block attached under the knee roll. There are no visible rings on the Dressage for a clean look in the show ring. Front rings are hidden beneath the seat at the front for attachment of a breastplate if desired. The Dressage Trail has five rings around the back and sides of the cantle and visible front breastplate rings. These are great attachments for cantle packs for convenience on the trail. These models are best suited to riders who have a short hip to knee length, like a tighter, deeper seat or would like to ride with a longer leg in the dressage arena or on the trail. Available in various choices of smooth to grippy leathers. Hardware choices are stainless steel or solid brass. Standard size on this model would feel like a 15” Western seat or 17” English. OPTIONAL ITEMS: The following additions may be requested at additional charge to customize this saddle: • Mega knee blocks – For a greater degree of knee support • Additional rings – Added to front or rear of saddle flap • Seat bolster (pommel) – Added to the seat to create a more distinct rise to the front of the seat • Seat bolster (cantle) – Added to the seat to create a smaller size seat or tighter fit. • Extra long seat – For riders who like more room to move in the seat. • Extra long leg – Best for riders over 5’9” • Additional seat – Available on all models. Specify color and texture of leather.

Sensation Western Sport Trail

The Sensation Western Sport Trail offers almost all the features of a traditional treed western, minus the horn. The small footprint of this saddle suits short-backed horses particularly well. A 3.5” tall, wrap-around cantle provides a feeling of security for the rider’s seat, while the upright 12” swells provide greater thigh freedom without compromising security. The rigging of this saddle is a dropped 3 billet system. This type of rigging has proven to be more adaptable and lower profile than the traditional western plate/ring rigging. The rider may use any of the 3 billets as a lower attachment for the stirrup leather anchor, making the stirrup position very adjustable. Longer length dressage girths would be used with this saddle. The Western Sport Trail features 9 rings as standard equipment. This includes rings to accommodate both western and English breastplates, as well as rings for crupper and saddle packs. This model is suited to any rider who appreciates a western look and feel to their saddle, but wishes to have a very lightweight western option. Almost any size of rider would be able to use the Western Sport Trail, as there are many options for fender and seat sizing. Available in various choices of smooth to grippy leathers. Hardware choices are stainless steel or solid brass. Standard sizes on this model would be 15” or 16” with 14” being semi-custom. OPTIONAL ITEMS: The following additions may be requested at additional charge to customize this saddle: • Additional rings – Added to front or rear of saddle rigging flap • Seat bolster (pommel) – Added to the seat to create a more distinct rise to the front of the seat • Seat bolster (cantle) – Added to the seat to create a smaller size seat or tighter fit. • Additional seat – Available on all models. Specify color and texture of leather. • Additional fenders of different size