“What is Total Contact”?
Total Contact is a new concept in riding and saddles and associated ‘tack’. It has been developed by an Italian, Mario Prisco, and comes from his own experiences and observations as a top level show jumper and trainer. It provides the rider with a choice of how to ride; the more traditional riding method or the method favoured by professional show jumpers as they naturally develop this style as they progress in their ability. A radical design of saddle accompanies the riding method which is light and allows the full intention of the rider to be communicated to the horse easily and without effort.

“What is so different about Total Contact”?
At one level of riding there is little difference – top level performers mostly ride like this (on their stirrups, in balance with the horse, with ease and little effort). However, the method allows entry level performers the opportunity to do so – “All riders have to make a choice at some stage”, says Stuart Attwood. The other big, and obvious, difference is the design of saddle. This attracts most initial attention. It is light, has no ‘tree’, can be stored completely flat and one size fits all shapes and sizes of horse and pony.

“Why does the method need a new saddle design”?
The rider uses the stirrups like another athlete uses the floor – to provide a platform on which to perform and to use its properties to transfer his/her balance to effect movement transfer. In the case of the rider balance communication is also made through this medium. The horse easily recognises the change in balance, posture and movement and reacts accordingly. The intention is not ‘muffled’ by elements of thick padding seen in the traditional English saddle. It’s like riding bareback with stirrups !

“Does this new saddle adversely affect the horses back”?
No definitive studies have been carried out on this aspect of design. However, treeless saddles have been available for some years and used with maximum horse care. In well over a year of trials and text marketing gathering information, all the riders who've tried the saddle have had nothing but praise for how it has suited the horses. In fact many owners report their animals are moving more freely and easily than before. It is a fact that a poorly fitting English saddle can cause pain and discomfort to a horse which in some cases can result in the need for chiropractic treatment in an attempt to remedy the problem. The rider moves with the horse as the rapport gained is much closer. This aspect alone has to be an improvement, not only in riding but in the way we care for the horse’s wellbeing.

“Who might be most interested in Total Contact”?
The method has been developed primarily for show jumpers. However, in Italy the Pony Club recognise its benefits in their pony games activities (similar to the mounted games activities seen here in the UK) as well as general riding, training and jumping activities at all levels. Riders with more than one horse also see the application of the saddle as one saddle can easily be used on different horses – all that’s required is a different size girth for a pony or a 19hh horse.

“Have you ever considered pressure testing the saddle”?
We are always happy to talk to degree students (first or higher degrees) and institutions about possible research into how our saddles can be compared to other saddles (treeless or treed) to prevent harm to the health of horses. We know that our saddles don’t harm horses but this is anecdotal in nature and we want to get quantitative data to show this. We are a science based organisation and science is about more than supposition and being narrow minded. Sometimes a new paradigm in thinking does come along and that’s how real progress is made. Ask questions of us by all means but please do the same to others as well!


For more details contact:
Stuart Attwood, 07792722625 (mobile for day and eve use), E-mail stuart@total-contact.co.uk Stuart is also available to assist with performance issues such as training and fitness benchmarking, aspects of nutrition, sports psychology and coaching methods and regularly presents to groups on these issues.