SADDLE FITTING CORNER
WOOL VS FOAM

Historically, foam panels have a bad rap. Known as the “cheaper” alternative to wool foam was considered a hallmark of lower-end saddles.   However, latex panels have come a long way, made with far superior, high-tech materials, including high-density latex. Foam, can range from closed-cell foam to latex and foam rubber. Often felt is used to encase the panel to give more structure.

Foam panels can be found in many top saddle lines today. Some riders find that foam saddles provide excellent stability and a close contact feel that cannot always be achieved with wool.
Perhaps the single greatest draw back with foam is that it is not “tweekable”. There is no way to add compensation in the back, or more space in the front, or any combination thereof.

Over the years, wool too, has evolved.  Long gone are the days of horsehair  to flock. Sheep’s wool is still the most common material. However; synthetic wool is often used. Synthetics have the advantage of being less likely to ball or matt,  provide excellent resiliency, and, when warmed, mold  nicely to the horses back. Wool panels, whether synthetic or natural, are still very popular from the standpoint they can be flocked to accommodate the horses back (within reason). Stuffing a wool panel is an art, and even now with modern machines and technology it still must be managed by an experienced person. The most common problems with “inexpert flocking” are over or unequal stuffing, balling or matting. Fine workmanship is essential to the fit of the wool panel saddle.

Another point to consider is breathability; clearly the natural wool will win the day.  Some people feel that foam, due to its less arable traits, may inhibit air flow and create a situation where the horses back is overheated, leading to a variety of problems associated with intense heat buildup.

Whatever your preference there are lots of new, exciting, versatile options in the saddle world. You may be surprised by what you end up liking.

We should say that fundamental saddle fitting begins with the tree shape; this is the foundation of any saddle and no panel will ever accommodate for a poorly chosen tree – some trees are designed for a high long wither, while others for a short broad wither.  Manufacturers are constantly watching breeding programs and the “look” of modern horses in various disciplines, to be sure that the trees they design and produce will meet the needs of today’s horse and rider.