Ergon Equine prioritise horse welfare with innovative tree saddle design

Ergon Equine Ltd , equestrian technology company, are developing a range of solutions designed to improve performance and simultaneously enhance comfort. Their current market offering, NewTree, is an injection moulded tree design offering a range of customisable features from gullet to cantle. The latest product in development, BioTree, provides a dynamic, equine-centric alternative to traditional saddle tree designs.

By integrating 3D printed ball joint housings with stainless steel ball studs from igus UK, Ergon Equine are able to achieve a maintenance-free solution that allows dynamic movement in their tree design and a more comfortable riding experience for both horse and rider.

Overcoming obstacles

Traditional saddle tree designs are often crafted from laminated wood and reinforced with metal plates, dictating the shape and load-bearing points on a saddle. A perfect fit is therefore essential to ensure the horse is comfortable and capable of delivering the best performance. Using unforgiving, static materials such as wood and metal restricts the possibility of dynamic movement, something Ergon Equine were determined to change with their injection moulded tree offerings.

Head of design at Ergon Equine, Bjorn Hulman, had tried standard products from the igus range, but sought for a customised solution that could encompass all their design requirements.

The solution that emerged was six 3D printed ball joint mechanisms with stainless steel ball studs that could withstand different loads, temperatures and intensities all while facilitating dynamic movement between the horse and saddle. The housing was printed using iglidur® i230, a selective laser sintering (SLS) material from igus that is 80% more wear-resistant than its PA12 alternative.

The result for Ergon Equine is increased reliability and product longevity as well as improved welfare standards, as the wear-resistant and durable nature of the materials used for the ball joint mechanisms allows for a more reliable and longer-lasting design that facilitates movement across three axes all while achieving the rotational capacity required to ensure performance without compromise. This makes back health within horses a priority, and ultimately makes for a better riding experience.