Cair / Flock

[Halfpass]

Just about to order a wintec isabell dressage saddle. Do I go for Cair or Flock?
Opinions much appreciated.

 

[Seahorse]

Mine has Cair, but have never ridden in a flock one so can't compare. I'd personally go for Cair though.

how exciting

 

[Halfpass]

Look here you I know your views already just let someone else reply will you!!

 

[Coffee_Bean]

I would say flock, as you can have it re-flocked if necessary...but this is coming from the girl with a Cair saddle

But I didn't have a choice in the matter

 

[gemmaw]

Dont want to sound thick but whats the diff?? I've got the gist that flock meas the saddles are flocked but whats cair?????

 

[Halfpass]

They have air pockets alongside the flocking. I'm thinking of going along the flocked route purely because I feel they are probably more adjustable than the cair ones and for a youngster this would be better.
Plus they are cheaper

 

[gemmaw]

Aaahhhh, mystery solved!! thanks!!

You've pointed me in the right direction too, just been having a look for a new dressage saddle myself, got a stuuben and its lovely but doesnt fit my horse too well, he gets a lump of we school in it, even though the vet says its nothing ot worry about it doesnt happen with my other saddle! thing is, my other saddle is a proper cheapie from robinsons, only £75!!!!

He's only 5 so want something i can change with him, hoping he will fill out!!

 

[Caritas]

I have cair, I love it, wont go lumpy and it is the only saddle that i have ever had that stays straight on my horse.

 

[gemmaw]

can you have cair altered???

 

[Seahorse]

My saddler put some padding under the panels of my cair saddle.

 

[chestnut cob]

Flocking.

 

[not_with_it]

I would go flocking. My saddler wont sell cair saddles as they cant be adjusted. Also the air doesnt move through the saddle as it was designed to do in the cair.
Even the makers of the cair saddles have admited to him that they arent that good!

 

[SpottedCat]

Flock - compressed air (such as you'd get when sat on the saddle) is very hard and I am not convinced it is good for the horses back, as if the panels are sealed enough to stop the air leaking, then they will not mould to the horse as well as flocking would. Also not adjustable. I find traditional flock gives a better 'feel' too, having ridden in both. If I had the money though I'd go for a butet which I believe is latex and as it warms up moulds to the horse beautifully - digression, not helpful, sorry - flocking

 

[sunny123]

I think flocking aswell, I hate Cair, for the reasons that Nat1003 and SpottedCat have mentioned!