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The saddle has two panels total, one on each side of the horse's spine. The panels under the cantle are called the "rear panels." Those at the front of the saddle are called the "front panels." However, the rear and front panels are one continuous unit, which can be seen if the saddle is flipped over. Often stuffed with wool or foam flocking, or maintained by sealed air pockets. Also important in keeping the saddle balanced for the rider. Panels: the part of an English saddle which provides cushioning between the horse's back and the saddle, and allows adjustment in fitting the saddle to the horse.It is eventually covered in leather or synthetic material as the saddle is built. Tree: the base on which the rest of the saddle is built, usually based on wood or a wood-like synthetic material, with metal elements added, such as the stirrup bar and, in some cases, the gullet.Synthetic materials, including foam and fiberfill materials, are used on more moderately priced saddles, and one company currently sells a design that uses airtight sealed panels that are inflated with air.īillets, sweat flap, buckle guard, and knee rolls. The panels on the underside of the saddle traditionally are stuffed with wool flock, which is still preferred and used on the highest quality saddles. Cowhide is usually used, though pigskin and other leathers are also seen.
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Leather is added on all sides of the tree to create the seat, flaps and panels. Polyurethane trees are often very well-made, but some very cheap saddles are made with fiberglass trees that are not so durable. Synthetic materials vary widely in quality. More recently, saddle manufacturers are using various materials to replace wood and create a synthetic molded tree (some still using spring steel and a steel gullet plate). These trees are somewhat flexible and are known as "spring trees," with the degree of flexibility varying from saddle to saddle. Many modern trees are made with spring steel running from front to rear between the bars. The sides of the tree that run horizontally along the horse's back are known as bars. Traditionally, the tree of an English saddle is built of laminated layers of high quality wood, reinforced with steel underneath the front arch, and around the rear underside of the tree from quarter to quarter. The English saddle is based on a solid tree, over which webbing, leather and padding materials are added.