The Bambach Story

The idea for the Bambach Saddle Seat came to occupational therapist and horsewoman Mary Gale in treating patients who could not sit unsupported on an ordinary seat or wheelchair. Mary found that the same patients could balance quite independently on horseback and assume a symmetrical position.

It occurred to Mary that if she could replicate the saddle position, where the spine is able to assume its natural curves, she would create an ideal seat for therapy as well as for task seating.

A review of literature showed work of Dr A. C. Mandel, who noted that the ideal sitting posture for the human spine is achieved on horseback. Other researchers also concluded that ordinary furniture removes the natural curves from the spine and places great stress on the spinal discs. Anecdotal reports from horse riders who suffered severe back pain on the ground, yet who gained marked relief when mounted in the saddle, were also noted.