Searched and didn’t find quite what I’m looking for.
What is the difference between the two? I know pro panels are supposed to fit more horses and have the shoulder cut out in the panel, but outside of that, are they the same?
Having a hell of a time finding what I need used. A good selection of non-pro panels, but rep said pro panel fit better
I was under the impression that pro panels and integrated panels are the same thing, so not sure what you mean by “normal” integrated panel. Because I bought my CWD for use on lots of horses I did get what was then called the integrated (pro) panel and although I don’t know exactly how it works, it did! It fit the two lease horses I was riding perfectly as well as any number of other horses who tried it. No saddle will fit everything but the pro panels do seem to expand the possibilities.
Pro panels are the integrated panels. Their “normal” panels are not integrated. The pro panels may or may not fit more horses. Integrated panels can have a tendency to bridge. YMMV
Thank you!!
I was so confused. Saddle fitting happened in a whirl wind of tack and horses, so I must have missed that they are the same
Ipesq, what causes them to bridge?
I just had a CWD rep come out and fit me. From what I understand all of the panels are integrated in their saddles but the pro panels have a cut out near the shoulder that is made from plastic or rubber (can’t remember which) that is flexible to fit more horses. Don’t quote me 100% on this but that’s what I took away from the fitting
[QUOTE=kelsey97;8639225]
Ipesq, what causes them to bridge?[/QUOTE]
Also curious on this as I know of another french brand that has “integrated” and “pro” panels. What does integrated even mean? Does anyone know if it means the same thing across different brands?
Integrated panels mean that when you flip the saddle over, the panels lay flush with the sweat flap. There is usually a stitched seam connecting them to the flap. With traditional panels, they are not attached to the sweat flap there…you could slide your hand between the panel and the flap.
Integrated panels are supposed to provide a more close contact feel. But, because the panel is not able to flex separately from the sweat flap, it can bridge. I think it adds another factor to the fit in the middle area in addition to the usuals such as amount of curve to the tree.
I bought a saddle with integrated panels for my horse but I have another saddle so the decision was not based on the need to fit a lot of horses. When the girth is not on, it does bridge slightly but my horse likes it, and if he’s not trying to buck me off, we are all happy.
I agree when the integrated panels are on the horse, just standing there, I saw a bit of a bridge. Rep said don’t worry, just give it a try.
I have never felt my horse use his back like he did in that saddle. Talk about round!! Like raised cavaletti down the whole long side of the arena round. And we had a full bend, nose to tail, not just through his neck.
I wanted to cry
Integrated panels and pro panels are not related. Integrated panels integrate the panel on the underside of the saddle with the sweat flap, reducing bulk between rider and horse. You will see that the sweat flap is stitched to the panel, whereas a standard saddle has the panel that rests on the horse and a full sweat flap that goes from the seat all the way adding another layer between rider and horse. To earlier points, pro panels are just built in a way that allows them to fit a broad variety of horses. hope this helps
krod,
Thank you for the info. I guess I’m confused whether I REALLY need the pro panels or not. Sigh. It’s a lot easier to find the saddle I’m looking for without pro panels than with. If I buy new, I’m looking at an extra 2k based on what I’ve been finding used online.
I guess I’m wondering whether pro panels are worth that extra 2k
it is much more important to find a panel configuration that fits your horse with a seat/ flap combination that fits you–pro panels are just a more generic panel that fits “a large variety of horses,” whatever that means. if you have a “normal” horse, the pro panel may work well. I have a CWD with pro panels and it fits one of my horses great and the other awfully. if you can try one on your horse or try from a dealer with a good return policy you’ll be in good shape. there are LOTS out there with pro panels in a variety of price points. where are you located?
All CWDs have integrated panels. The so-called “Pro Panels” are just a panel configuration which seems to work for many horses; the “standard” “pro panel” 705/205/305. The shoulder cut-out people are talking about is denoted by “RT” in the stamp; this means that the panel has been thinned out to accommodate the movement of the scapula. It is my understanding that this is in addition to the “pro panel”.
[QUOTE=Rocky092;8639307]
I just had a CWD rep come out and fit me. From what I understand all of the panels are integrated in their saddles but the pro panels have a cut out near the shoulder that is made from plastic or rubber (can’t remember which) that is flexible to fit more horses. Don’t quote me 100% on this but that’s what I took away from the fitting[/QUOTE]
I think you’re confusing two things here: the shoulder cutout (RT) is a thinning of the foam in the panel. The flexible rubber is the rubber tree points; the purpose is exactly what you said - the flexibility is supposed to allow the saddle to fit a greater number of horses. This is also a standard feature of CWDs.
[QUOTE=IPEsq;8639924]
Integrated panels mean that when you flip the saddle over, the panels lay flush with the sweat flap. There is usually a stitched seam connecting them to the flap. With traditional panels, they are not attached to the sweat flap there…you could slide your hand between the panel and the flap.
Integrated panels are supposed to provide a more close contact feel. But, because the panel is not able to flex separately from the sweat flap, it can bridge. I think it adds another factor to the fit in the middle area in addition to the usuals such as amount of curve to the tree.
I bought a saddle with integrated panels for my horse but I have another saddle so the decision was not based on the need to fit a lot of horses. When the girth is not on, it does bridge slightly but my horse likes it, and if he’s not trying to buck me off, we are all happy.[/QUOTE]
Super helpful, thank you! I’ve noticed that the integrated panels on my french saddle do tend to bridge on my horse. This helps explain why.
