Saddle panels


When you’re buying a saddle, the type of filling in the saddle panels may affect your decision. Saddle panels are designed to distribute weight and pressure evenly along a horse’s back. Two main schools of thought exist: wool-flocked panels and foam-filled panels. Air-filled panels are also popular with some riders.


Historically, saddle panels have been flocked with wool fibers. Long strands of wool, wool blended with synthetic fibers, or synthetic fibers alone are placed by hand into a canvas-lined panel. Foam is a modern innovation, either synthetic or natural latex, placed into the lining of the panels to fill out the forms.


Advantages of Flocked Panels

  • Flocking, especially natural wool, conforms to a horse’s back.
  • A skilled saddle fitter can adjust the flocking to best fit your horse. Adjustments can be done regularly as the horse’s muscles develop or the shape changes due to diet or other factors.
  • When flocking becomes compressed over time, a saddle fitter can replace it to breathe new life into the saddle.
  • Wool is breathable, helping keep a horse’s back cooler.
  • Synthetic flocking provides loft and durability, whether used alone or combined with wool fibers.


Advantages of Foam Panels

  • Foam does not shift or compress.
  • Foam is resilient.
  • Foam is suitable for saddles used on multiple horses, as it won’t conform to any one horse’s back.
  • Foam panels can be thinner, providing closer contact for the rider.


Combination Wool and Foam

Some manufacturers combine the benefits of both flocking and foam:

  • AMS® Panels: Synthetic flocking in a smooth, breathable neoprene lining reduces bumps and pressure points. Found in many Pessoa saddles.
  • Bayflex® Panels: Memory-flex polyurethane provides superior padding, retains its shape, adjusts to the horse’s back, and maintains temperature. Found in many Pessoa saddles.
  • Comfort Fit Panels: Found in Marcel Toulouse saddles, these combine wool flocking with foam panel lining to reduce pressure points and allow adjustability.


CAIR® Panels

The CAIR Panel System replaces traditional fillings with air. Each panel has two independently sealed air chambers, acting as a fluid medium to adapt to the horse’s muscles and eliminate pressure points. CAIR Panels are found in Bates and Wintec saddles.


For assistance or to request a catalog, call 1-800-989-1500 to speak with a Dover Saddlery product advisor, or visit any of our retail stores. Visit DoverSaddlery.com for a complete store listing and full product offerings.