SADDLE EXPLAINER #7 PANELS
The panels are the padded sections underneath the saddle that sit directly against your horse’s back. They are attached to the tree and are responsible for distributing the rider’s weight evenly across the horse’s muscles
While the tree provides structure, the panels provide contact.
Panels are typically filled with wool flocking or foam. Their shape, depth and consistency influence how pressure is spread and how the saddle feels in motion.
If the panels are uneven, compressed or incorrectly shaped for the horse, pressure can become concentrated in certain areas. When correctly shaped and maintained, panels allow the saddle to sit level and stable, creating consistent contact along the length of the back. They work in partnership with the tree. Structure provides support. Panels provide distribution. Balance depends on both.