Saddles - latex vs traditional flocking

SpottedCat

SpottedCat

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Aside from alterability issues as clearly flocking is easier to alter than latex, what are people's experiences of the two types of panel filling for saddles?

I'm on the hunt for new saddles and having had a look at a few, I am quite drawn to getting a latex panel jump saddle (dressage saddles don't, in general, seem to offer this option).

So far I am thinking about Prestige (if i can find a stockist) who do latex, ideal (normal flock), possibly barnsby though I preferred their dressage to their jump when I sat on them.

Thoughts and experiences appreciated - I like the idea that the latex warms up with the horse and doesn't go lumpy, but are there any downsides?
 
I currently have both types of flocking on my saddles. The latest saddle I purchased (made to my own specification) has wool panels for the simple reason it allowed more fitting flexibility for that particular horse.

Riding on it the first few times felt odd after my very close contact latex panelled saddles but now it has bedded down it feels super. The horse in question was ridden in a latex panel saddle whilst waiting delivery of the wool flocked one, have to say first ride in the wool panelled one and he felt much much freer and looser over his back.

I have not had any problems with the latex panels on my saddles but having just gone back to wool do think it is perhaps softer and offers more cushioning for the back (think how comfortable Saddle Co saddles are for the horses back). I was worried that I would miss the "close contact" feel but in all honesty as the wool panel saddle fits so well I dont notice it.

Not much help really!
 
You know, I'm convinced that the saddle I got for PF has moulded and settled onto her back. It has latex panels and you feel very close to the horse, which I like and is now what I'm used to. Can't really compare to wool-panneled saddles since it's so long since I rode on one!
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No, that's really interesting, thankyou! This is all about horse comfort for me really. Ideal are not only within my price range but also apparently do serge panels like the SC saddles. I think SC ones are v comfortable for the horse and every horse I have ridden in one moves well in it, but they are just useless for serious competitive riding as they don't put the rider in a decent position.

I wondered if the latex would be better than wool because it heats up, no lumps, redistributes so no pressure points etc. I have always really liked the feel of prestige and butet saddles which are latex panels.

It is so damn hard these days to find a saddler who stocks a wide range of brands so you can try everything and narrow it down from there, and given the call out fees I can't be getting three or four different saddlers out.
 
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You know, I'm convinced that the saddle I got for PF has moulded and settled onto her back. It has latex panels and you feel very close to the horse, which I like and is now what I'm used to. Can't really compare to wool-panneled saddles since it's so long since I rode on one!
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Thankyou! What saddle do you have BTW? I can only find v expensive with latex (think butet - over my budget by a long way) or prestige (a bit expensive but might manage one at a push). Are there any others with latex?
 
Both my saddles are Santa Cruz. The cheaper of the 2 is actually a nicer sadde IMO as it has a shallower seat and lovely wide panels but they don't have it on their website here any more (it's similar to the Brione) The other is the Celine.
They're not quite as yummy as Butet saddles but much, much cheaper!
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I would always go for wool simply for the fact it can be altered and in my opinion (and from Pliance results i have seen) offers much better weight distribution than moulded panels. Wool may not give you such a close feeling to the horse but skinny moulded panels can be tight over the horses spinal process and although feel close they can be clamping on and not alow as much freedom.
Don't forget you can have panels lined and flocked over the top, well some companies offer this
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Lining of neoprene is a very good option - results very good. Also serge with felt lining works well.
wool panels should not ever get lumpy if they are looked after correctly and checked regularly.
Also bear in mine some manufactures can make any adjustments to standard models to suit you and your horse - ie shorter/longer flaps, more fwd cut, different knee rolls fixed or on velcro etc

Obviously i will suggest an Ideal Saddle
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Feel free to ask anymore questions i'll try answer best i can
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Thanks Cullohill - I was going to PM you actually as Ideal are high on my list given that a) I can find stockists near me (my regular saddler does them) and b) I can afford two of them (hurray!)

Rather than bore people with my queries, I shall PM you!
 
Exselle do a latex panelled dressage saddle, which I would expect to be in the same price range as Ideal (infact Ideal now own Exselle). If Ideal can do serge panels then would guess Exselle could to.

Think I am correct in saying either company will make to client specification (sure Cullohill will confirm) but know that exselle most definitely do.
 
I have a John Whitaker jumping saddle because out of half a dozen the saddler brought out it fitted her and me the best. Also tried Kieffer and Stubben. It has latex panels and I like the fact that it doesn't bed down with use like the wool panels (I have a nightmare dressage saddle which needed reflocked every 6 months or so as the wool is constantly settling).

It was under the £1000 mark because as I have an extremely small bum and short legs I have the junior version. It has moveable knee and thigh rolls and quite a flat seat, my 6 ft OH can also ride in it though, which he definitely can't in any of my other saddles, his bum hangs off the back of them!!

Fiona
 
I couldn't decide either - so went for a flocked dressage saddle and a latex panelled jump saddle. I'm lucky in that my horse is pretty easy to fit and I'm very happy with both my saddles and she goes well in both. What I like about my jump saddle is that it is very very light
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I tried a couple of flocked jump saddles but they just didn't offer the close contact feel I wanted.
 
A bit different but my horse had a cair panelled saddle, and although it fitted him perfectly, he didnt want to move/jump in it properly. Have now got an Ideal single flap, brought because it is wool flocked so adjustable, and he is SO much happier and freer in it. Personally would go with wool every time now as really do believe they are more adjustable for the horse. The Ideal saddle is gorgeous for me as well
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