Answer

By Your Horse

Master saddler Andrew Reilly advises…

A light rub at the rear of the saddle area is quite normal, due to the rear swing of the saddle simply chafing the coat (especially in spring when the winter coat has become brittle prior to shredding). However, if there’s bare skin and/or soreness in this area, then there’s cause for concern.
As your horse is a veteran, he may have started to dip in the back area, losing muscle slightly in the natural course of ageing.
It’s very important to assess the fit of an older horse’s saddle, as any changes in his body shape can affect the way the saddle performs.
The Flair air panel system can work well, provided the saddle fits the horse well in the first instance and is suitable for conversion. Some saddles have insufficient panel volume to accommodate the air bags, but your Flair stockist will be able to advise you.
Flair and Cair are two alternatives to traditional saddle flocking, where the panels of the saddle are filled with air. Both can be used in conventional saddles – new or second-hand. Their aim is to provide a soft, flexible and even bearing surface without pressure points that’s more comfortable for horse and rider.
Air-filled panels adjust with your horse’s muscle movement, providing shock and impact absorption. Flair panels can be adjusted to a horse’s changing shape, with air added or taken out. Cair panels contain air-filled encapsulated foam. You can’t add or take air from these, but the benefits are the same.