The first impressions of Simone Ravenel Kohler, founder of Equimetric, after testing Spiritnova Prima
Developing a completely new saddle is one thing.
Proving that it works is something entirely different.
From the very beginning, our goal was not simply to create a new product, but to develop a saddle capable of genuinely improving how pressure is distributed on the horse’s back.
For this reason, we decided to submit Spiritnova Prima to independent testing using professional dynamic pressure mapping technology.
To carry out these tests, we collaborated with Simone Ravenel Kohler, founder of Equimetric, a specialist who has spent 18 years analyzing how saddles interact with the horse’s back during movement. Throughout her career, she has evaluated thousands of English and Western saddles, helping riders, veterinarians, saddle fitters and horse owners better understand how saddle design influences pressure distribution, comfort and equine biomechanics.
A first impression… before seeing the results
The video we recently shared on our social media captures Simone’s very first reaction.
On the contrary
An important detail is that these comments were recorded immediately after the test, before the complete data analysis had been processed.
After observing the saddle in motion and reviewing the live pressure maps, Simone said:
“I had never seen anything like this before.”
She then highlighted one of the characteristics that impressed her the most:
“It truly frees the horse’s withers.”
According to Simone, unlike many conventional saddles that concentrate a significant portion of the load around the withers, Spiritnova Prima distributes pressure over a much larger supporting area by engaging the latissimus dorsi muscle, while leaving the withers remarkably free.
This is an important anatomical distinction.
It is not a matter of placing pressure “on the ribs,” but rather of distributing the rider’s weight across a broad muscular structure specifically suited to carrying load.
Why is this important?
The wither and trapezius region contains muscles that play a fundamental role in forelimb movement.
Reducing pressure in this area allows these structures to function with greater freedom throughout locomotion.
During her first evaluation, Simone commented:
“I believe this gives the horse much greater freedom of movement.”
Again, these observations were made before the final measurements had been processed.
The data confirmed her first impressions
Once the complete pressure mapping analysis was finished, the objective measurements fully confirmed Simone’s initial observations.
Compared with the reference saddle used during the test,
Spiritnova Prima demonstrated:
- +48% load-bearing surface
- −48% peak pressure
- −32% average pressure
These are not subjective impressions.
They are objective measurements obtained through independent dynamic pressure mapping.
You can read the complete methodology and results in our dedicated article:
👉 Independent Dynamic Pressure Tests: What Did the Measurements Reveal About Spiritnova Prima?
Innovation must be supported by evidence
Innovation should never rely on claims alone.
It should be measured.
It should be tested.
And it should be evaluated by experienced independent professionals.
For us, Simone Ravenel Kohler’s opinion is particularly meaningful because it comes from someone who has dedicated nearly two decades to observing how saddles truly work on horses.
Even more importantly, her initial impressions were later confirmed by objective data.
This is exactly why we will continue submitting Spiritnova Prima to independent testing, because we believe that innovation only has real value when it can be demonstrated through measurable results.
because we believe that innovation only has real value when it can be demonstrated through measurable results.
