Which Padding Materials Work Best In Saddle Panels?

Which padding works best in saddle panels… Wool or foam?

Technology has created more options, but does high tech amount to better construction

or performance, or just cheaper production costs? Let’s take a critical look.

Written by David Young, Independent British Master Saddler. David Young has worked on virtually every make and model of saddle on the planet.

Here are his thoughts on what works best for the horse.

Foam/Memory Foam, Wool and Air.

Foam and Wool are found in some of the best known saddles in the world,

with air rarely used. Let’s go through the pros and cons of each to see which

performs best for you and your horse. 

Air Panels

 Air is very thermally reactive, expanding

and contracting in response to temperature, literally changing

the panel shape. There have been many problems with leaking valves,

sometimes leaving riders with a “flat” before a big competition. Unlike wool,

you can’t compensate by adding a little more padding in a pinch. As the

rider’s weight goes forward the air tends to be forced in the opposite direction

leaving the back unprotected. If there is too little air pressure, the horse’s back

may be exposed to the tree. Too much pressure, and the saddle often rocks on

the horse’s back. A Swiss study indicated that some riders reported a lack of

communication and effectiveness via their riding aids when riding on air

panels. For these reasons air is the least often used in saddle panels.

Foam Panels

Foam panels are often pitched as the panel that doesn’t have to be adjusted.

The fact is they can’t be adjusted. Foam panels are virtually all the same shape

because they are pre-formed. The problem is every horse’s back is different.

Foam does not naturally conform to the polymorphous shape of a horse’s back.

It can’t be adjusted to compensate for asymmetry stemming from a variety of

causes such as conformation, condition,change in work or season, or injury. It is

important to check for bridging in the middle, even when the saddle appears

balanced. Like all panels, foam panels compress over time and may create

uncomfortable pressure on the horse’s back and withers, causing

soreness. When this happens, the panels should be completely replaced. 

Foam panels can have hard edges that fail to distribute the

rider’s weight evenly over a broad surface

area. Many foam panels are attached at the

front with a covered nail which can sometimes dig into

the horse’s back. Using stacks of pads does not compensate for a saddle that

doesn’t fit regardless of what the panels are made of. Bottom line is there is no

such thing as one size fits all!

Wool Flocked Panels

Wool has always been, and continues to be, the saddler’s

choice for flocking panels. Wool is extremely comfortable on the

horse’s back and facilitates even weight distribution. Wool consists

of long short and individual strands that easily conform to the shapes

of the horse’s back and can be easily adjusted to compensate for

asymmetry in the horse’s back.

Wool can be completely replaced in older saddles for relatively little cost

without having to replace the panel itself. It provides stable support

for the rider’s weight. Wool panels may need to be periodically topped

off or adjusted to compensate for compression or changes in the

horse’s condition; typically once or twice a year. A small price to pay for

soundness and optimal performance.

It is important to note that none of the panel materials discussed

above can compensate for a poorly designed saddle. But at the end of

the day don’t just take my word for it, forget about all the hype and

listen to your horse.