The different panles

[1 morejump]

How do you know which panles to order?  ??? Is there any functioning difference between the Shaped moulded panel and the flat moulded panel?  I am kicking around the idea of getting a GP Fhoenix and need to choose between the panles types or get the superpanel. Lance has a good back and no atrophy so I really have to choose and seeing as how there are no people with a Fhoenix out here I better ask you people.

[Diane Smith]

Mine came with both sets of panels,  problem solved  unless there's some oher type of panel I don't know about. ???

[Diane Smith]

Oh Yeh, and also if you buy the panel version and it doesn't suit, you can remove the panels and attach a suber panel 

[Heather]

Thank you ladies, very well explained!

Heather

[christuris]

Hi Mary, I have the Fhoenix, but it's the Suberpanel one -- I don't know if there's any way yet of exchanging the panel itself for another type, although it does have the velcro along the middle.  I'd love to try something else on it.

I still have the old SBS which I use with the 10% thinner suberpad.  If you like, bring Lance up here and you can trial them.  I really want the Portuguese Iberica and am hoping to trial that at some point.  It's too big an expense to be buying sight unseen!

Christina
Indian Hills, Colorado
http://AlphabetRanch.smugmug.com

[Natural Dressage]

The protlite or flat moulded panels are best for flatter table top back styles and the moulded shaped panels naturally fit more A-framed backs better, regardless of if there is any atrophy.  A suberpanel works well for either back style and even mild atrophy but not the best for extremely high wither types or extreme atrophy - probably a good choice for you though, sounds like.

FYI- we have some saddles ready to go here in the US saddle bank for sale at varied prices, mainly they come with prolite(flat) or suberpanels, but we can order you a set of moulded panels to retrofit in any of the prolite models.  You can PM or email me if you would like more details on what we have available.

Shannon

[drummers mum]

Shame, I'm thinking of going the other way and trying a suberpanel, I'm after more twist and less wobble! :

[christuris]

What I'm after is something that has a gullet to it, whether it's Suberpanel or prolite.  With Comet's kissing spines, I'm always afraid that there's no spinal relief for him, and the panel is rock hard when I've finished riding.  I just don't know if there's anything like that available yet, although with that velcro strip all the way down the bottom, the options must be there for some inventive saddler to create something.

Shannon, I've emailed you privately.

Christina
Indian Hills, Colorado
http://AlphabetRanch.smugmug.com

[1 morejump]

I still have the old SBS which I use with the 10% thinner suberpad.  If you like, bring Lance up here and you can trial them.

Really?!?!?! That would be wonderful!  But I don't think I will be abe to come up for a while.  Lance is having his surgery on Thursday and it is a few months time after that until he can come back into full work.  Kinda lousy timing though, all the Fhoenix saddles are on sale and I need to test them on him.

Lance doesn't have any atrophy, since I haven't ridden him in ages he has nice musceling because he has just been out to pasture.  I was thinking about getting a superpannel because I do like the feel of more twist and want to limit the risk of pressure points from the stirrup bars.  So does anyone here think I would be pretty safe buying a Fhoenix at the sale price now and crossing my fingers that it works?   Besides, can't I order more and pannles switch it out?  Or is that only if I bought the prolite pannled saddle, took them out and added the suberpanel?

[Jolene]

From what I've gathered, if you want to be able to 'do it all', you're best bet is to get the panelled version - it comes with the flat and plumper panels.  Then you buy a Suber Panel (not the same as a regular Suber Pad) separately.  Thus, you can use either of the panels, or take the panels out and use the Suber.  If you bought the Suber version of the Fhoenix  you wouldn't be able to use anything but the Suber.

[Natural Dressage]

Right Jolene,

The vogue will definitely be the way to go for Christine and others who want optimum spine clearance, as it has more than ever, comparable to a treed saddle and of course the foam panel options create more of a traditional gullet, than the suberpanel.  This can also be enhanced by an additional pad, such as a half pad, with a spine channel. 

The basic panel design on the new Vogue is the same but with higher front arch, which gives it more clearance in the gullet.

Shannon

[christuris]

Shannon, what I REALLY, REALLY need is to be able to have something to build up the front underneath side.  When the saddle slips backwards to accommodate Comet's conformation, it tends to tilt forwards, so I need something that's adjustable.  He used to have very filled out withers when they hadn't sprouted yet, but now that they are so high, and perhaps because I kept him so lean over the last few years due to his metabolic problem, he does have a dip on either side of the withers now, although I'm slowly (but cautiously) building him back up, so that may be less of an issue later on, I don't know.

Yes, one day I will remember to take my camera to the barn and take photos for you!  Meanwhile, I'm EXTREMELY happy to report that Comet is doing fabulously under saddle -- my trainer was gobsmacked when she saw him at our lesson on Wednesday -- so perhaps he will start building back up in all the right places.

Christina
Indian Hills, Colorado
http://AlphabetRanch.smugmug.com

[Natural Dressage]

Hi Christina,

Backsaver wither pad would be excellent for that.  We have also successfully fitted several other custom options for customers who needed alot of padding or lift here, including half pad with front inserts and custom made shims.  When you're ready, we'll send you some good options to play with.

Which saddle is it that is working well for you now?

Have you tried the suberpanel at all?

Shannon

[christuris]

I have the GP Fhoenix Suberpad on Comet, and the SBS Flexion with squished panels(!) and both slide back, but the Flexion tips much more than the Fhoenix does.  I tend to use the 10% thinner Suberpad with the Flexion in case it might be hurting Xino's back.  Eventually, I'd like to get the Portuguese model for him, and the Vogue for Comet, but I will probably use the Fhoenix on Xino until I can afford the Porgtuguese one.

Can you point me to a link that would show me the backsaver wither pad?  I have an old backsaver pad, but I don't see how that would help.  It also seems to have hardened over the years!  :'(

I would love to be able to give myself a Vogue for Christmas (after I've paid for all the barn remodelling that's going on now!)

Christina
Indian Hills, Colorado
http://AlphabetRanch.smugmug.com

[zibadiva]

Hi Shannon and Christina, 
I'm also a US Agent (as well as sell other innovative tack on my online store) and don't mean to interrupt your discussion, but after reading your posts wanted to also mention that the use of a very soft, and adjustably shimmed pad would really help. 
Probably the softest, most flexible sheepskin pad (imho) that also has adjustable shims is the Fleeceworks Perfect Balance Pad which works incredibly well with the Fhoenix Saddles.  I don't yet have information on my site but can email if you like, they are a very complimentary product for the EE and other treeless saddles, and can also help with adjustments to fit or gently cushioning in the right areas for kissing spines. 
It's not to say that the Fhoenix doesn't already address this concern - it does of course, but I like to use a sheepskin and then cloth and saddle on my horse's back to insure ultimate comfort.
Cheers,
Karen   
Just Equus fine horse products
www.justequus.com
650-851-2412
Portola Valley, California