TCS was founded upon the passionate belief that riding should be kind, respectful and the horse’s comfort and enjoyment of ridden work guides everything we do. Our mission is to enhance the enjoyment of riding for horse and rider alike through high quality, beautifully designed saddles which create a united riding experience.

The Total Contact Saddle is proudly sold by Total Contact Equine Solutions, a family-run business based in Kent. The Total Contact Saddle is loved by thousands of riders across the world, who love the comfort, flexibility and freedom it gives them and their horses. Today, the Total Contact Saddle is shipped worldwide to riders of all disciplines, from weekend hackers to showjumpers and everything in between.

Who we are

Mélanie Nahum-Cooper

My passion for horses developed very early, though because of my family not having any horsey roots, I only started riding at the age of eight. Between the first fateful ride on a riding school pony to today, I have acquired two university degrees including a BSc in Equine Management, and I’ve been running our full livery yard with Chris for seven years.

I have ridden in the TCS since 2013 when I was introduced to it by Stuart Atwood, the TCS inventor and my university lecturer. I was originally drawn to the idea due to not being able to find a saddle which comfortably fitted my horse, but since then, I’ve discovered that during each and every ride, the TCS helps to develop and strengthen the communication channels between me and my horse – and it makes me a better rider, too.

Whilst Chris and I only took over the business in 2025, I’ve remained close to it for over 13 years. Stuart sold the business to our mutual friend, Lisa Williamson, and thanks to her the brand has grown from strength to strength and is now sold in all parts of the world.

We are delighted to start this new chapter in our business lives, and to see how many horse and rider partnerships we can improve with our ever-growing product range.

Christopher Cooper

My entry into the horse world is the classic boy-meets-horsey-girl scenario. When Mel and I started dating, I very quickly got dragged up to the yard to meet Magnum, her horse at the time. Luckily for me, Magnum is a very placid, level-headed horse. Perfect horse for a novice like me she said. Unluckily for me, Magnum is also very big, Perfect horse for a tall, big novice like me she said. Mel convinced me to ride with her once, and although it went very well (thank you Magnum), I vowed never to get on a horse again.

Fast forward five years to 2017 and Mel and I started running Isaac’s Farm Livery together. Jump forward another seven and we are now owners of the company that makes the saddle I had my first ride in. I’ve learnt a lot since running the livery and while I don’t intend to set foot in the stirrup again, I welcome the challenge of running a new business and am excited to take the reins of TCES.