Suberpanel Fhoenix

[The Original Crazywoman]

What are the older suberpanel Fhoenix saddles like? The one I've been considering is a 2005 model. :confused:

[FeatheryFeet]

Heavenly :D.

[The Original Crazywoman]

What's their stability like? I'm thinking of using one on my mare who has a fair amount of withers, but not excessively high.

Anything else I should know about them? (Apart from being heavenly!!) :D

[Zingy]

Chances are, you'll either think it's the most wonderful saddle ever designed, or you'll think it's unstable and uncomfortable and won't feel safe or secure riding in it. Feedback that I've heard suggests people have very definite opinions on them and they tend to be quite extreme - so love it or loathe it. And it doesn't seem to correlate to horse shape or anything either, so it's really something you're best off trying before you buy if you possibly can. I sold mine to someone after an hours trial and gave her the option for her money back within 2 weeks of buying it if it turned out she hated it.

[FeatheryFeet]

People do seem to love them or hate them. The first couple of rides I felt very perched but no longer have that feeling. My mare is very wide,flat, no withers round typical native. I can mount from the ground without it slipping if I have to, it's never slipped whilst being ridden. The only thing I don't like is the dressage girth.
Are you aware that there are no more suber panels currently being made? So no replacements available.....:mad: I contacted HM herself for confirmation of this.

[The Original Crazywoman]

I know they are no longer being made. I actually have a suber panel I'm using with a different make of treeless saddle, so would have a spare if I bought the Fhoenix. ;)

[FeatheryFeet]

you lucky thing...I would have bought one if I had known they were stopping them.
Me jealous? Hell yeah lol :D

[Skippys Mum]

Woah, does this mean I should rush out and buy a suber pad for my nice shiny new freeform (yes, it finally arrived:D) just in case? I was so taken with your saddle with the suber pad and the polypad for "normal" riding if you know what I mean. Also, I am finding things really wide (although to be fair, Arnie IS really wide) and was toying with the idea of getting one later on if needed to give me more twist.

I have to ask, are you planning on keeping the Freeform or are there any problems with it?

[Bay Mare]

I love 'em but, like anything, it's personal preference.

If you are interested in a Fhoenix this thread may be of interest to you :D

http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php?topic=29491.0

[The Original Crazywoman]

I have to ask, are you planning on keeping the Freeform or are there any problems with it?

Definitely not selling my Freeform!! In fact I have just bought another base for it with extra knee rolls. But I saw this one advertised and am considering buying it so that my sharer can have her own saddle. I can't leave the tack at the yard as it's not secure, and it's a real pain having to swap saddles all the time.

Yes I know! Bit of a luxury. But I'm going to be working full time instead of job share from end of this month, so got some extra income to play with. And it means I don't have to worry about tack swapping all the time. ;)

[juliecwuk]

does anyone use a numnah underneath the suberpanel?

a lady on my yard has a suberpanel fhoenix said that her horse has been scratching where the saddle touches the horse (where normally it would be prevented by a numnah).

does the suberpanel not just pull the numnah taught over the horses back/withers?

i unfortunately dont have a fhoenix - although i would really really like to, after riding in hers, i thought it was simply lovely and comfy!

[FeatheryFeet]

I use a thin nuumed hi wither numnah under my suberpanel phoenix. The suberpanel AND the numnah pull up into the pommel well.

[Yann]

I really liked it but it was desperately unstable on my horse.