Heartland Saddlery recommends that saddles be re-flocked every two to three years to keep the saddle panels from becoming lumpy and uncomfortable for the horse causing it to lose peak performance.

After two to three years the flock begins to settle and become hard, lumpy and uneven therefore losing its shock absorbing ability on the horse’s back. You may not notice these on the underside of the saddle but your horse definitely will, which can lead to bucking and rearing or just plain disobedience of your commands.

Vets, chiropractors and massage therapists will tell you that uneven saddle panels are one of the main causes of back trouble in horses.

Re-flocking a saddle involves literally taking the old stuffing out of the panels and replacing it with new flock.

For us to make an accurate re-flock we need to come and assess your horse and take a template of it’s back. We can then see how much flock the saddle needs to get a precise fit for your horse.

After your saddle has been re-flocked you may immediately notice much improvement with your horse’s gait and temperament.

REFLOCKING PRICES: range from $150 - $380. Some saddles maybe re-flocked on site in our store or at your facility.

Please Note: Depending on the circumstance it is often required for us to take your saddle for up to 10 days to assess it thoroughly and complete the reflock. If we find that your saddle needs more work done than we stated, we will contact you. 

Please call with your requirements.

Advantages & disadvantages of wool flocking, foam, felt & foam, Saumur, or air panels.

Panels on the base of the saddle are filled to give it cushioning and resistance with many different materials or methods.

• Flocked panels
• Foam panels
• Felt & Foam panels
• Felt & Flock panels (Saumur)
• Air Panels (CAIR)

There are advantages and disadvantages for all these methods, so choosing the correct panel is important.

Flocked Panels: These are filled with a selection of different wool types or artificial flocking which can vary from carpet clipping to soft toy stuffing to artificial wool staple. With artificial flocked saddles the best is the wool staple because it is resilient it gives an even flock and is easily adjusted.

Advantages: Economically priced.

Disadvantages: These do not dissipate heat so it has a hot feel and it will become lumpy quicker than wool. It is usually found in the lower price bracket saddles as it is less expensive.

Real Wool Flocked: These saddles dissipate heat and remain soft longer, they come in three main types: white wool,which is very soft and gives a soft panel, but compresses easily, long staple mixed fibre-which is grey and holds a better shape, and Jacobs-which is the most expensive but holds its resilience and shape the best, giving a spring but firm base for the saddle.

Advantages: Flocked saddles can be adjusted if a horse changes shape, the actual shape of the panel against the horse will mold and contour to your horse. These saddles tend to weigh more and have a larger footprint on the horse’s back, they also distribute the riders weight more evenly.

Disadvantages: Expensive, but higher quality leather and flock is used.

Foam Panels: These are usually referred to as close contact panels. Contrary to common ideas a close contact saddle is not a jumping or saddle type, but a panel type and any type of saddle can be "close contact." Foam close contacts are that because there is less material between rider and horse. The panel is much thinner and smaller and was designed really only to be used as a light weight saddle for the competition ring.

Advantages: This design is a light saddle with a lot less leather in it.

Disadvantages:  Foam panels last a minimum of three to four years and as the panel has less leather in it the whole base needs to be replaced. Foam breaks down to powder under the onslaught of sweat when it soaks through the leather pores. Once this starts to happen, you are riding the tree directly onto the horses back. Foam panels cannot be altered or adjusted.

Felt & Foam Panels: These are often close contact panels and have a felt top and foam stuffing inside the panels against the horse's back. This is a  much more expensive panel, as good felt is extremely expensive. It keeps its shape, but the foam still deteriorates and needs replacing over time, this can be costly as the saddle has to be taken apart to do this. These types of panels cannot be adjusted.

Advantages: It keeps its shape.

Disadvantages: Foam deteriorates and needs replacing; this is expensive as the saddle has to be taken apart to do this. You cannot adjust these panels.

Felt & Flock Panels: Is probably the most expensive panel of all, as it has a close contact feel with flock added on top of the felt. It does have some advantages as the felt keeps the panel shape but does not mold to the horse. Flock can be added to adjust the panel but great care needs to be taken here, as over flocking is very easily achieved. Main disadvantage is the cost.

Advantages: The felt keeps the panel shape.

Disadvantages: Does not mold to the horse's shape. Re-flocking is expensive.

Air Panels: There are two basic systems on the market today; the Wintec sealed air panels (CAIR) and First Thought Equines adjustable air panels (FLAIR). Both systems use 4 airbags or bladders, one at the front of each panel and one at the back of each panel. These bladders overlap in FLAIR but not in the CAIR. FLAIR has a valve with each panel so they can be adjusted independently.

Advantages:  Great idea in FLAIR system for asymmetric horses, or horses with difficult shaped backs. (CAIR is a sealed system so this does not apply).  Ecomomically priced.

Disadvantages:  These need a lot of maintenance to keep the horse happy and comfortable each season. Bladders puncture and it’s hard to tell when this has happened.  Air panels do not dissipate heat well after a certain temperature, and they can feel like a "bouncy castle" on hot days in the summer as heated air expands. Unfortunately this is often the time your horse expands as well.

Because of the fluctuations in temperature and pressure, the colder it gets the more the air contracts and in the hotter times of year the air expands. One day it will fit your horse perfectly the next it may be too tight due to the hot summer heat or will not give enough support during the cold winter months. It would be like wearing the perfect fitting shoes one day and having to squeeze into them the next.

We hope this has been helpful and clears up any confusion there is about panels and which is best for your horse's comfort and well being.

A comfortable well fitted saddle could make all the difference in that jump off or dressage test!