Nearly every rider has faced problems with their position, even if they're casual trail riders. A rider who sits quietly gets a better performance from the horse and is more comfortable while doing so, but it takes a lot of work-or a very smooth horse-to get to that point. Instructors shriek at their students to look up and sit still and drag out the longe line for sessions without stirrups. There's a great deal of frustration all around.
Therefore, products that address position flaws are attractive in theory. Two products that have been advertised or discussed widely online are the Shoulders Back, which lifts the collarbone area, and the Unisit, which literally straps the rider down into the saddle. We test rode both products to see if they could really help us sit better.
Unisit
The Unisit is a relatively simple idea, a nylon strap that goes from behind the rider's rear to across the thighs and fastens under the horse's belly. It holds the rider's seat firmly in place and allows her to follow the motion of the horse without any bouncing.
This is not a seat belt for your saddle, even though it sort of looks like one. While it's designed to hold you firmly in the saddle, it's also designed to get you out very quickly if necessary. It has two safety features that allow for a quick release without any straps flopping wildly.
The first is a strap that goes from the rider's right wrist to a quick-release buckle on the right thigh. If the rider lifts her hand the whole system immediately comes loose.
The second safety feature involves two straps that run to the saddle's D rings-if the safety release is activated, these straps keep the system from dangling under the horse's belly. The system comes in a neat pouch with a video and card of instructions.
We found the instructions clear and the system easy enough to hook up. Even so, it took some strong self-discussion before we were convinced to try it because we just couldn't get past the idea that we could get trapped if the horse fell down. We found the release system reassuring, and we convinced ourselves that trotting out on the trails over uneven ground without a Unisit was probably a lot more hazardous than riding in a ring with the Unisit.
The strap is put in place after the horse and rider are both well warmed up. A second person is needed to buckle it under the horse's belly. It should not be used by beginners but only by riders who've developed an independent seat.
The safety instructions emphasize that the system should be used under capable supervision in an enclosed ring with a good surface, on a quiet, balanced horse and with a correctly fitted saddle.
We found we had to work with the safety strap a bit to get it just right. If the arm loop was too large it would slip off. If the strap was too long we had to lift the arm too high, and if it was too short the safety buckle would release. It should slip off after the buckle releases.
We also found that people with very slim bottoms couldn't keep the seat strap up, so we placed the strap under the seat so it could then still run over and across the thighs.
Our horses immediately moved more freely and steadily after the Unisit was attached, a dramatic demonstration of the importance of a quiet seat and steady leg. Riders sat taller, with a straighter back, firmer stomach and a much longer leg placed directly under the body. Even though the strap went behind the rider's rear, the action was more on the rider's thigh.
The Unisit costs $179 plus shipping, www.unisitinc.com, 866-4-UNISIT.
