Saddle panels - wool, foam, latex, flair?

georgiegirl

georgiegirl

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What do you prefer to use and why??
are there any you wouldn't touch with a barge pole?

Looking to move away from the cair panels I currently use as I believe long term use even of a 'well fitting saddle' hasnt done my horse much good.

My saddler is quite keen for me to go down the wool flocking route for extra adjustability but it does limit my choices given a LOT of modern jumping saddles don't have wool flock.

Your thoughts/experiences are much appreciated! :)
 
Can't beat a well flocked wool panel imho.

Wouldn't touch cair with a barge pole, could possibly consider flair, and since mare likes a soft comfy panel then latex foam wouldn't suit either.

Unless you are going to be riding a horse that doesn't change shape (and assuming the saddle fits well straight out the box - quite unusual) and only riding for short sj rounds then I wouldn't choose latex foam. Since a thick pad is often stuck under them to make them more comfortable for the horse, or to tweak fit, then really what is the point?!

There are loads of good jump saddles that are wool flocked. Assuming there is one that fits your horse, then you can't go far wrong with Albion or Ideal. Maybe not as trendy as some of the continental makes, but your horse will most likely thank you lol!
 
Cair is the only one I would actively avoid, all the rest have pro's and con's and I'd consider them all if the saddle was suitable for the horse - I have no real issue with using decent padding to help adjust fit - in fact the more I do the more I prefer to fit a saddle too wide and pad/shim accordingly.
 
I have never used flair and heard mixed reports about it so probably wouldn't choose to use it on one of mine unless wool/ latex wasn't working.

I've had both wool and latex. Wool offers more adjustability so would be my choice for a horse that changes shape regularly. However I had 2 M2M saddles with wool flock that 2-3years down the line no matter what we did with the flock would no longer fit my horse well, so having wool is no guarantee of it fitting forever. My current saddles are latex and I love them. I have an equipe synergy for my mare who it has fit for the last 4 years without needing to alter what I put under it. It also seems to fit well on a lot of horses, and sits well on those its a little wide for with a sheepskin halfpad under. My horses are checked regularly by our back lady and the saddle has never caused any issues.
 
I have a heat activated foam padded saddle, when on the horse, body temps warms up the foam and it moulds to the horse, when cold goes back to normal shape- absolutely love it! And most importantly so does my sensitive mare!
Luckily the saddler )strada saddles) can change the foam panels if when she inspects its needed!
 
My Dressage Saddle is Wool and my Jump is Latex, horse goes brilliantly in both and both fit her beautifully. I'd happily have either.
My Jump saddle certainly doesn't have hard uncomfortable panels, as if it did my horse would let me know. The latex as warms up and moulds to the shape of the horse, therefore it's perfect for my very wide, round mare as it moves much less than a CC saddle that uses wool.
As DD has said, sometimes fitting wider with the option of pads and shims is better than fitting the horses shape there and then, as it will only change with work, time off, etc etc.
 
Could you have your current saddle flocked rather than changing if you like it apart from the cair?

I think wool and latex are both fine. I don't think my horses even noticed the digference between them!
 
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