foam filled saddles

JJ2

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28 August 2007
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Am looking at buying a saddle at the moment but it doesn't have traditional flocking but has foam.
Does anyone have experience of this type of saddle? Good or bad?

Thank u :-)
 
Most close contact saddles have foam in the panels as that is what gives the saddle a "close contact" feel. I like them (close contact with foam) and they are one of the few astride saddles that Hattie goes well in. The down side, is they cannot be altered so when she changes shape with the seasons, I have to use a riser pad.

With some of the cheaper foam filled saddles, the foam breaks down after years and you have to get it replaced with foam or get the panels converted to flock. My close contact saddle is about 5 years old and the foam is still good in it but mine is a Walsall made saddle not an Asian import one.
 
I have a Strada saddle which is filled with a high tech "memory foam". Its brilliant! It warms up as the horse wears it and becomes pliable and really fits well. The other advantage is that unlike wool it does not need reflocking (thus saving between £50 and £75 per year for some horses).
Would definitely recommend any well made and well fitted foam.
 
I also have Strada saddles. The foam in them is thermo-reactive and was designed for NASA. The panels on the Stradas come in different thicknesses and if your horse changes shape a great deal the panels can be changed. Wouldnt be without mine. I must be the only person on a yard of 30 ish horses whose horse never has a bad back and whose saddle never needs adjusting. My friend used to make the saddles before the company was sold to its present owner. Can thoroughly recommend>
 
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