02/20/2026
The Olympics inspire us to be better in all we do.
In the years since winning Olympic gold, Tad Coffin has continuously strived for excellence in horsemanship, but in a different way. He has used every bit of those years to do a deep dive into the role a saddle could and should play in the furtherance of the ultimate horse/rider relationship.
Tad remarks that Winston Churchill is credited with the quip "there's no greater secret than that which lies between a man and his horse." "The saddle is certainly implicated in this by virtue of its location, Tad says. "One question we might ask is, 'Is this still a secret and if so, what have we done to investigate the answer?' As riders, we need to think more about what a saddle does, or does not do, or potentially could do to help our horses be all they could be."
Tad continues, "it's not at all obvious how the downward pressure of a rider and saddle would be able to solicit an upward lift in a horse's back. Without this, a horse's movement, balance, agility and cooperation will always be compromised to some degree. It's a complicated problem and the solution requires something beyond what is currently being offered. Given the current prevalence of equine back pain, there is clearly room for an alternative saddle narrative."
The pathway to good riding should lead to the ennoblement of the horse’s innate beauty and athleticism. With this in mind Tad has fully dedicated 30+ years to studying and reengineering one of the most vital, yet overlooked, tools for an equestrian.
He has conducted over 4500 experiments using feedback from a group of horses that are wholly dedicated to saddle testing.
The result of this work is SmartRide Rx technology which, with its biomechanical and bioenergetic properties, solicits the kind of response from horses that makes putting them 'on the aids' a joyful and therapeutic experience for both horse and rider. This effort has brought Tad full circle back to his efforts as a riding instructor, this time with a profound sense of having made the learning process more fruitful and enjoyable for all.
If you’re curious to learn more about his saddles for both jumping and dressage, or his therapy device the Thera-Tree, go to www.tadcoffinsaddles.com. If you’re interested in the wearable wellness device called the eWell Puck that is lightweight, durable, and never needs charging, please visit www.eWell.life.
Give Tad a call with any questions at (434) 989-3229. He welcomes visitors to his base in Ruckersville, Va. by appointment.
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