[kbennett322]

All,

Does anyone out there have a saddle with half panels? I have a very stocky flat backed gelding and was considering a saddle with this kind of paneling. The manufacturer told me they are meant to fit such horses.

So, what do you think? Do the half panels help fit the saddle? Have you noticed a difference in saddle fit with ½ panels verses full panels?

Also, do the half panels affect the resale value if I decide to sell?

Thanks in advance!

KB

[lorilu]

I had a County Warmblood for a few years, and really liked it. Fit a wide-barreled horse nicely. I now have a rembrandt integra - it also fits him nicely, but fits me better.....

(I sold the county. you can find them on CL, ebay, etc, as they are no longer produced.)

[Perfect Pony]

I had a County Warmblood for a few years, and really liked it. Fit a wide-barreled horse nicely.

Ditto.

[MelanieC]

Two questions:

(1) What is a half panel?

(2) Do all the County Warmblood models have super-long flaps? I've been interested in them for my Arab but they seem to have very long flaps and I'm a munchkin.

Sorry for the half-hijack. Will be interested in the answers to this thread.

[Perfect Pony]

Two questions:

(1) What is a half panel?

(2) Do all the County Warmblood models have super-long flaps? I've been interested in them for my Arab but they seem to have very long flaps and I'm a munchkin.

The half panel just has panels along the back, but NOT down over the shoulders.

They come in regular (which IS long) but you can also find short-flap models.

Mine was a County WB2000 with a short flap. I sold it in good condition with brand new panels for $1300. If you can find one they are cheap. And it fit practically every horse except something with tall withers. Unfortunately it did not fit me.

[MelanieC]

Thanks for the info!

[JanDinWA]

We have half panels on some of our Schleese saddles. They really do help to fit a wide barreled horse. I haven't sold the saddles so I don't know about resale value.

[Perfect Pony]

Thanks for the info!

here is a 17" MW/Wide with short flap, cheap!
http://www.pelham-saddlery.com/drcon/CON12411.html

[Stacie]

I have a bond street saddle which has panels only along the gullet. It has a hoop tree as well so is made for the wide bodied horse. It is adjustable with a key from about about a what would be a wide in the wintec saddles to the XXW wintec gullet. It has thermogel in the panels so it's very forgiving to the back.

It's a very interesting saddle. I bought it for my son (it's a 19 inch) to ride my percheron.

I no longer have a use for it if anyone is interested