The Parelli NATURAL PERFORMER is so named because it performs as the greatest saddle tool available for getting to high levels in the Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program.  It is a remarkable performance saddle for a wide range of athletic maneuvers.  This saddle contains a patented "Equiflex" flexible tree (custom patterned per Parelli shape specifications) that provides extraordinary opportunity to feel close to your horse and enable the horse to bend and use his muscles to frame himself more comfortably than ever! 

The Natural Performer is the evolutionary result of our ongoing research and testing since 2002.  Since that time, Linda Parelli and her team have continued to pursue a mission to provide saddles that are effective and comfortable for riders desiring to improve their horsemanship, with the prerequisite that they were tools of which their horses approved.  YOUR HORSE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN TELL YOU WHEN YOUR SADDLE IS RIGHT!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A TEST RIDE in a sample saddle (this program is currently available in the US only), please email a request to parellisaddles@parellisaddles.com.  You may click on the TEST RIDE button on our home page for details.   Our staff will communicate with you regarding sample availability and shipping fees to your address.  You pay nothing else, and have no obligation to purchase.

ALSO IMPORTANT: Viewing our complimentary DVD on the subject of horse/rider saddle issues and the utilization of our saddling systems will give you a tremendous education and advantage in your pursuit of success in natural horsemanship.  You'll see some fascinating features of our research, including video of horses; backs in motion, which gives you an idea of how MUCH horse body movement goes on underneath a saddle, and why we knew it was important to accommodate that.

The original project has involved collaboration between Linda and Pat Parelli, US Saddle Makers, the Balance Saddle Team from England, and many hundreds of riders and horses of all sorts of disciplines, breeds and levels of ability.  It required required the development, construction and extensive testing of dozens of prototypes.  The FUSION was the first of our concept saddles, so named because it "fused" the very best of what is good about a fine English saddle (the promotion of collection and flexion in the horse) with the best about a good western saddle (the distribution of the rider's weight, and the comfort of the rider and horse).  It was in production between September 2004 and November, 2007.  Based upon the remarkably effective principles applied to its design, The NATURAL PERFORMER was created, after 2-1/2 more years of further extensive research, prototype development and rigorous testing.  We are excited to bring it to you!

The Parelli NATURAL PERFORMER and the original Fusion both weigh approximately 28-30 pounds (which is about 15 pounds less than the average western saddle) and are the excellent choice for pursuing Fluidity as taught in the Parelli Natural Horsemanship learning systems. You may read more about the features and benefits of the original Parelli Fusion saddle (below on this page). Virtually all of the important features and benefits of the Fusion were incorporated in the substance of the new model.  

Pat and Linda are consistently involved in research and development and expansion of the effectiveness of their learning systems and tools. Since the Fusion was such an extraordinary problem-solver for people and horses, they became curious about the concept of flexible bars and ground seat blended with solid wooden structured fork and cantle.  (Though they were interested in the flexible concept, the existing flexible tree designs and compounds at the time had a number of qualities and flaws that did not render them acceptable.  Among their concerns: the flexible material was too brittle to hold screws, or would be so flexible that the bars would not distribute the riders weight properly, and would collapse in the center and apply too much concentrated pressure on the horse's back). So, over a 2 year period, they worked a team of people to explore the development of a saddletree that would truly work. Incorporating all that they had learned with the Fusion was essential if a saddle was to deliver their promises not just to riders, but: "We do not judge how good a saddle is...our horses tell us!"  Hans Joachim and the Pullman-Continental saddle makers of Germany, Stefan Luchmann (a famous, progressive European saddletree designer) and Eddie Steel, of Steel Saddletree, LLC, were the primary collaborators with Pat and Linda and their partners, Letitia and Art Glenn on the project.  The task:  to develop a saddletree with flexible bars and all the configuration/shape features that have rendered the original Fusion such a fabulous tool, and craft saddles of extraordinary quality of leather and workmanship.   The results, according to all professionals, students and horses who have participated in the prototype testing have been overwhelmingly positive.  These saddles are magnificent pieces of workmanship, handcrafted with care by the best possible team of saddlemakers who could build them for us.

THE PARELLI NATURAL PERFORMER saddle has a padded seat. This was originally not a choice that Linda wanted to make, but research has concluded that the flexible bars will only work properly with a soft seat insert.  The advantages outweighed her preference for a smooth seat, and those testing the prototypes with us universally agreed. 

The cantle and fork of our flexible trees are constructed of laminated wood, which insures stability of the angle and position of the bars in relation to each other.  The patented Equiflex material, combined with the design of the shape and angle of the bars in our trees ensures an optimal, even contact area for all phases of the horse's movement.   

The unique shape of the Parelli tree features a very wide gullet, fairly short (but not steeply angled) bars with flared front and hardly any rock.  This allows for the maximum amount of room for the horse's shoulders to move freely, while back muscles can flex, round and re-straighten with freedom of movement that is uncommonly comfortable. The high-tech elastomere material used in our trees is extremely strong, yet allows the saddle to flex (just enough) with the natural movement of the horse's back.  Our special trees are crafted exclusively by family-owned Steele Saddle Tree, LLC, renowned saddle tree manufacturers for more than 150 years. 

Key problems for the horse in the "normal" saddle world:

Many saddles are not built to help horses use their whole bodies when they move, especially when it comes to flexion (laterally and vertically).  Many are also designed to sit on or right behind the shoulder and to "fit" a horse's back at rest, yet when a horse starts moving, the shoulders need more room and the back needs to come up.  As a result horses can develop unnatural postures and ways of moving to protect themselves from saddles which are restrictive and even painful.

You can tell when a horse is restricted by the saddle if they have poor topline muscle, rotated shoulders, hollow back, heavy forehand, shortened stride and even sore muscles in the lumbar region or lower back.  The long term effects of this can lead to joint issues and more:

Here's a real-life example of the results of a horse holding his shoulders forward to avoid saddles that hurt. In the photo at left, his loving owner has attempted to make things better for him by  purchasing a saddle that has a wide gullet with a seat that is not radically sloped and she has positioned it back a bit further than in the past...but his body carriage illustrates that he is still not able to use himself correctly.

MAIN PROBLEMS FOR THE RIDERS with "Normal" Saddles:

Too much slope in the seat; the cantle is too high and has too steep an angle; the seat is too small; the seat is not flat enough. Many saddles trap the seat and prevent the rider from being able to sit in a more natural and balanced position on their Balance Point*, which renders them unable to feel secure at their center of gravity, and unable to move fluidly.  There is no way to be in harmony with the horse.  

A DAMAGING SADDLE: Too narrow / Bars block shoulder / Shaped to fit a stationary horse / Doesn't distribute weight properly / Puts weight on the forehand.  Thus:

VS: A GOOD SADDLE:

Wide gullet / Bars don't block shoulder / Shaped to fit a moving horse / Distributes weight over large surface area / Puts weight on the hindquarters:

The results in the horse's physiology are visible when a good saddle is employed with the principles of Parelli Natural Horsemanship:

Key benefits of the revolutionary Parelli Saddles:

In the process of researching and developing her ideas of "Fluidity" in riding, Linda Parelli found that saddles restricted both riders and horses from becoming more fluid and being able to use their whole bodies to move with balance and efficiency (saddles did not enhance the horse's ability to "collect"!)

Determined to make positive changes, she brought together top designers who make saddles for both Pat and herself, resulting in the aptly named Fusion Saddle... a breakthrough in design fusing the best features of English and Western saddle making to develop the ideal tool for natural horsemanship.  The NATURAL PERFORMER continues on with that plan.

The Fusion and Natural Performer Saddles have the same western look, yet allow the rider to sit in an effective and balanced position while the horse to bend its body and flex its back.  Not only does this offer instant results to horses and riders of any level, it is especially beneficial for higher levels of the Parelli program (Levels 3 and 4) where vertical flexion, body bending and engagement become important issues.  Needless to say, the Natural Performer's flexible tree makes it more effective than the Fusion at facilitating flexion, vertically and laterally.

Strategically designed to help people sit on their balance point.

Thus:

A. Great Women's saddle, but Men are loving it, too.

The Fusion and Natural Performer saddles are relatively light in weight (about 28-30 pounds), which makes it especially appealing to women. 

B. Enables Fluidity

These saddles make riding with Fluidity easy:  They encourage the horse to use his whole body because they don't trap the back and help riders be placed in the right position to use their Balance Point.  Therefore, comfort, security flexibility and balance are possible!

C. For Levels 3 & 4, especially, it encourages horse to flex in the back and
thru the body.  Promotes lateral and vertical flexion.

Most saddles restrict and flatten the back (even hollow it) due to the length and shape of the bars. They also position the rider too far forward thus overweighting the forehand and preventing the horse from using his hindquarters.

Flexion has to come from zone 3* and if this is trapped, the horse will simply curl his neck and not be able to shift his weight.  This usually causes more strain on the lumbar region, fetlocks and jars the joints, especially knees, stifles and hocks.
 

D. Allows horse to move freely and use his whole body.
As above.

A typical Parelli Saddle "Makeover" experience:

The results illustrated in the photos on the right (below) were IMMEDIATE, and everyone watching could see dramatic differences in her horse's way of going.  Aggie took that Natural Performer home, and has no plans to use her old wade tree saddle ever again.   Over a little bit of time, of course, the horse learned to trust the comfort even more, and now carries herself with a much healthier posture.  Aggie called 2 days after this demonstration to tell us that she had just asked for (and immediately received) the first flying lead change EVER on this horse!  You can read more of her words and thoughts about this when you click on TESTIMONIALS on this website: