Featured in Horse & Rider March 2018
Exerpted from the March 2018 Issue of Horse & Rider Magazine about the Imus 4-Beat® Saddle
"Gaited horses are known for their smooth, comfortable movement, a definite plus when riding the trails. But what about the horses' own comfort? Phoenix Rising Saddles’ Imus 4-Beat® Saddle addresses the unique muscle action in gaited horses' backs, particularly during a four-beat gait.
Though it might resemble an ordinary saddle, the Imus 4-Beat® is a study in appropriate fit and dynamics. Central to its design is a unique, flexible tree that enables it to be placed farther forward on the horse. This frees the shoulder by allowing the front edges of the bar of the tree to cup around the shoulder; it also prevents interference in the loin area. In addition, the forward placement puts the rider just behind the withers, in a position that Phoenix Rising considers more natural, more balanced and more comfortable―like riding bareback.
Nor are pressure points an issue. This saddle provides even weight distribution, thanks to the Supracor open-cell padding under its tree bars.
And while the Imus 4-Beat® Saddle was created with gaited horses in mind, it reportedly works well on non-gaited equines, too."